I had an FOI request in Westminster asking about any banned books a couple of weeks ago. I did reply with one children's book Tintin in the Congo but we did not ban it just moved it to adult graphic novels. It was the original 1935 version so it was very iffy on a whole load of levels with the worst being animal cruelty which was what the parent was upset by
Anne Lewis-Lloyd
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Smith, Nicky
Sent: 23 April 2012 16:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Banned books in libraries
" The survey of 98 library authorities took in more than 300 complaints from the last five years about 'unsuitable, inappropriate or offensive' works. Half of them were about children's books."
So that's 150 complaints about children's books between 98 boroughs over 5 years. My maths gives out here but it doesn't sound as if anyone is exactly overwhelmed with Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells-type missives (or is it the PC brigade?)
Nicky Smith
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wylie, Alan
Sent: 23 April 2012 13:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Banned books in libraries
I'm sure the Daily Mail has concocted this to fit in with their 'world
view', it's a bit of an 'urban myth' that's being doing the rounds for
years! I worked for Hackney Libraries years ago and we were accused by
the 'Sun' of banning 'ba ba black sheep'!
Alan Wylie
Reference Librarian
Islington
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Clark
Sent: 23 April 2012 11:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Banned books in libraries
Apologies etc etc
Anyone know the source for this survey that is doing the rounds in the
right-wing press:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133798/Childrens-favourite-book
s-removed-library-shelves-parents-complain-offensive.html
I can't find a reference to the source of it anywhere.
Of course, if this 'problem' is bad now, imagine how much worse it will
be with community libraries springing up all over the place...which
makes me wonder why some librarians want to encourage them. Is it now
the position that some are happy to support a policy that will lead to
increased censorship of the written word? Are librarians no longer
bothered about censorship? Once it is farmed out to the community, is
it no longer our problem?
Ian Clark
Library Systems Officer,
Augustine House,
Canterbury Christ Church University
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141
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