[LM_NET] NY Times article.

[Wendy Stoll <wendy40@AOL.COM>]

I have also sent this to the editors of the NYT.
 
I must say, I rather resent this being cast as "librarians [pledging] to ban the 
book...."  There is no mention of the role of an elementary school librarian.  
There is no mention of "serving our community."  Especially as I was quoted simply 
as saying I would not stock the book, I'd appreciate some understanding of our 
situations.
 
In the first place, my elementary school library exists to support the curriculum 
of the school.  That is its main purpose.  Definitely, part of that is fostering a 
love of reading, but in a library of only about10,000 volumes, and an annual budget 
of $4000, it's hardly "censorship" to pick and choose where that money is spent.  
Add to that, that out of 640 students, all but about 90 are under ten years old, 
how much sense does it make to spend $20 on a book that so few will read? And given 
the extremely conservative nature of the families of my patrons, why on earth would 
I seek to offend them?  
 
The fact that a book is a Newbery Award winner means that a group of educated 
people has deemed the book worthy of an award.  It does NOT mean that it is the 
only fine example of children's literature published in the last year.  I have not 
stocked the last three Newbery Award winners because they are not appropriate for 
the patrons of my library, NOT because I am interested in banning books.  Newbery 
Award status is only one criterion by which to judge a book.  In my opinion, 
purchasing a book because of a single award is a lot sillier than banning a book 
because it is not appropriate for one's patrons; in fact, I would consider it 
highly irresponsible.
 
Wendy Stoll, Librarian
Smyrna Elementary School
Louisville, KY
Wendy40@aol.com
________________________________________________________________________
Check out the new AOL.  Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, 
free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail 
and more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------