As I have mentioned before we have just moved to Texas from Georgia. There wasn't much about Georgia I liked, but the library system there was wonderful. I took my kids to the library this morning here in TX and was shocked to see a huge gay pride display out in the open, it was in the back of the library, but we wandered back there and my kids saw it. The titles were readable from a distance. In the juvenile section in the religious section were books with titles such as: Elements of Witchcraft Satanism Are You Psychic Book of Love (this one was about dating as a teenager) Fortune-Telling Darwin's Leap of Faith I thought I was going to a safe place this morning and was angered at how they are trying to target children with books at eye level that are so harmful to them and dishonoring to God. I spent a lot of time in the libraries in Georgia and never once saw anything like this. Of course there were lots of books on the shelves so maybe I didn't notice, this library was sadly lacking in number of books.
The gay pride display would have angered me. But libraries are supposed to be full of information. All types of information. And there are plenty of pagan books written for young people. It is logical that they would be found in a library. "Religious" does not mean "Christian." I wrote a paper comparing Christianity to Wicca when I was in high school. If my library didn't have any books about Wicca, I'd have been in trouble! (I also don't get what's objectionable about Are You In Love)
I understand that religious does not mean Christian, my problem is that my children would go there to look for books and then find these. We didn't have these types of books in the juvenile section in GA so I am not used to this. I know that libraries will carry these books, that doesn't make it right and I don't think they should be where children can easily find them. The book about love was about teenage dating. I personally have a problem with teenage dating, I have seen so many poor decisions made in the "dating" world. There is so much pressure on teenagers to date and I know many who feel incomplete if they do not have a boyfriend/girlfriend. I want children to just enjoy being children.
Must just be your library. When I lived in TX I had several libraries and that kind of stuff wasn't set up like that. Don't even remember seeing anything like that. Hopefully you complained.
Actually, I do think it's right. Libraries are public entities and cater to the entire public. Plus, research is a necessary and right part of being a teenager. As to the book on dating; you are in the minority (which I'm sure you are OK with... not knocking you). I am of the opinion that teenagers are not children and should not be treated as such. Matter of fact, I think that's a big part of the reason our world is as screwy as it is. Do what I do: escort your children through their library choices and discuss what's wrong with the titles they are not allowed to pick. The positive is that this is an opportunity to educate.
I would have been discouraged as well. I tend to walk into places like a library, and think of it as a safe place for my kids. The problem with that is that we let our guards down, and that is when the world can creep in. While I agree with you on the issue of teenage dating, I agree with Actressdancer that you should escort them through their choices, and discuss them. Think of it as yet another chance to teach your kids.
Darwin's Leap of Faith is a book written by Christians who disagree with evolution: The book's subtitle is "Exposing the false religion of evolution". From what I hear, it's not that well-written, and the religious section is probably the appropriate place for it. Then there's Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith, which should be classified as biography. Do you remember which book it was? (Oh what a difference the placing of an apostrophe can have! )
Libraries are for EVERYONE in the community. That includes gay people and straight people, teenagers who date and teenagers who don't, Christians, Muslims, Wiccans, and Atheists. Your library merely provides the materials. It's up to you to decide what you will allow your children to read, or not. And it's your responsibility to teach them your values - not the librarian's. Basically, while personally I'd be perfectly happy to see a public display of books on gay issues, I agree with Actressdancer on everything she's saying.
Sigh.... Unfortunately, I agree with Amie. You need books that cover the whole gambit, some you agree with and some you don't. But some of the topics do not need to be in a CHILDREN'S section. Young Adult, perhaps, but not children. My biggest gripe is that the big system I live near (not the absolutely WONDERFUL small library!) has removed all non-fiction from the children's section. They are mixed in with adult non-fiction. What that means to me: 1) Young children have difficulty finding books for them, because they are sandwiched between large adult books. 2) Depending on how safe you feel in the library, you may not feel safe letting your children looking through the adult section unescorted. 3) This is especially true when you have younger kids. Either you take ALL children, even preschoolers, into the adult section with you to help the older one to find a book, or you allow the little ones to be unaccompanied in the children's section, or you let the older one be unaccompanied in the adult section. None of those choices were acceptable to me! 4) It exposes younger children to books they have no business having access to. (Not saying they don't belong in the library, but not that easily accessible for young children.) My children are old enough now that this is no longer a problem, but when Rachael was about 7 or 8, it was a REAL problem!
As much as i dont agree with things like satanism, witchcraft, etc. i think it is the library's job to provide books on these subjects. I DO NOT agree with gay pride displays... if those books need to be in the library, leave them on the shelf, dont make them a special display. A library is a place where you should feel safe with your children, but in this day & age, there aren't many places like that. It's just important that we guard our children.
You will get all kinds of books and displays in a public library. My kids don't go to the library much and I don't have them pick out books to read like that. That isn't because of the non-Christian content but mostly because of twaddle filled libraries and logistics of getting to the library. When they want a book I usually reserve it online and dh picks it up. I'm guessing that telling a librarian won't do any good. My nephew's wife (just finished a degree in library science) told how offended she was when a parent suggested they not put a "my two mommies" type of book in view. I guess you can view it as a learning opportunity. I personally think that exposing them to the things of the world is best done while they are still under your wing.
She said they were in "juvenile." In our library that is the teen section. THAT'S a reason to complain!
housemom4, While I agree with other posters that libraries should contain diverse information, I think I relate to your concerns. Long story short, the library in our previous town (in TX) became a place I did not want my young children exposed to. I couldn't just walk in and check out books without the probability of some necessary conversation I was hoping would take place when they were a little (or a lot) older. It was a city library, and the powers-that-were there thought everything was great. Our current town (also in TX) has a sensibility with which I'm more comfortable, but a library with really, really lousy selection. I volunteer there several hours a week. My boys can be there and explore while I keep an eye on what they're signing out. In the mean time, we keep a rich array of choices for them to read at home (thank God for Project Gutenberg and Google books) and visit libraries in other towns when we are able. No place is perfect; you just have to figure how to make something work for you if you can. And when you can't, you figure how to work around it.
In this library "juvenile" was actually in the children's section. My oldest child is 10 and I would never take my kids into the teen section because I know that what is there is inappropriate for them. I have asked around and found a library more appropriate for my children's age and will probably use that one from now on.
Amie, I DID complain. I wrote a long, detailed letter to the Powers-That-Be (not to the people in the local branch) exactly why I would no longer vote for a levy to support the library.... And I now go only to the absolutely wonderful smaller library that isn't as close to home. But THEY have a COMPLETE Children's section and the children's librarians know my children by name. They're WONDERFUL!!! There was one book in the children's section that I didn't approve of. I got part way through it (reading it aloud) and then stopped. I did talk with Molly (one of the librarians) about it. I explained that if it had been in the Young Adult section, I'd be OK, but it was too much for the children's. She said she would bring it to the head children's librarian's attention. She also said that Heather would read it for herself and decide on it. It dealt with Queen Elizabeth I as a princess, how when her father died she was living with some older guy as a guardian, and he started really coming on to her. At one point, she was on his lap and his wife walked in. Elizabeth was 12 at the time, and he was 40-something. He dumps her on the floor, telling his wife how the little vixen had seduced him, etc. NOT what I considered suitable for pre-teens! (And not for many teens, either!!!)
Housemom4: I agree with you that I don't want my kids to see gay books on display at the library but, unfortunately, it is a place for the community and they will display themes of interest to a variety of people. That being said, I would hope that homosexual themed material would be shelved on the basis of decency. I would think that the powers-that-be at the library would understand it to be a 'hot topic' and steer clear of displaying those sorts of books. In our old city, our public library was housed on the jr high-high school campus (between both schools on the same property). This is the only library I have ever seen to make a display of homosexual and trans-sexual selections and put them at the front door as you enter. I was not happy. When the kids asked about them I told them what they were and since they already know how we feel, it was kind of a non-issue. They didn't pursue it. It's interesting that this particular library which was on a school campus decided to boldly display such material. Kids as young as 6th grade would be in that library without parental supervision during school hours.
I agree that libraries need a variety of books. I don't agree with the banner. If you have one like that you need others to cover all. I think libraries need to be neutral on the fact of what they display on the walls. JMO
Just got to point out there's nothing "indecent" about most homosexual themed material, especially if it's aimed at kids and teens. We're not talking about porn here. We're talking about "Jennifer Has Two Daddies". (And I actually know a couple of adorable little girls who have two daddies, as it happens...) I would be against a permanent Gay Pride display, because that's trying too hard. I mean, really - would you want a permanent Chinese New Year display? Or a permanent Black History Month display? If it's up all the time, it stops having any kind of meaning. But assuming that this is part of a rotating themed display, and next month is likely to be "Summertime Fun", then I've got no issues with it. To be honest, I'm really kind of impressed to hear of this kind of thing in Texas! It goes against all the stereotypes. P.S. I'm not at all opposed to talking to the librarian and sharing a concern. We once came across a picture book about Aztec Gods in the young children's section that included the very bloody God of Suicide. Now THAT was a tricky concept to explain to my child! I brought it to the children's librarian's attention and she went, "Oh my!" and it was immediately moved it over to the adult non-fiction section. It never hurts to talk to your librarian, they really just want to serve the community.
I'm going to go out on a limb here. :shock: I mostly agree with you - but what's the big deal about a gay pride display? The world is varied and plenty of behaviors are promoted that would not be appropriate for Christians in the context of a church. What about dating events for divorcees? Doesn't the OT speak against, with the same gravity, this particular practice? Why do we pick on, and discriminate, only against gays? All of us, before we chose to follow Christ, practiced behaviors wrong in the sight of God. Personally, I'm all for events that bring attention to groups that suffer unwarranted bias and discrimination. It doesn't mean I agree with the practice, but I do respect their rights as citizens. Now, a few years ago, a local bookstore decided to relocate books associated with the gay lifestyle near the entrance; they were the first books you saw. No problem there. However, one book had a very inappropriate picture on the cover - two naked men in a kiss and embrace. The store decided to display this book, rather than others, with the front cover visible. Now that is inappropriate - but it would have been just as inappropriate if the two bodies had been a man and woman. There's a danger in trying to ban certain groups from having displays and meetings. When we succeed, it fires them up to ensure that we are banned in the future from having displays and meetings too. Why invite such a situation? Without meaning to go down a bunny trail, I did post a blog entry about this a while back.
