September 28, 1994 - censorship

In 1993, the Library Research Service of the Colorado State Library conducted a survey of public libraries in the state. The object was to find out how many of them have had materials "challenged" by members of the public, how many different titles were included in the challenges, what reasons were given for the challenges, and what was the final disposition of the items.

A "challenge" means simply that some member of the public filled out a form seeking to have the library remove the item from its collection, or to restrict its use.

Here are some of the numbers:

� number of unique titles challenged: 88.

� number of people who filed challenges: 320.

Top on the list of challenges:

(1) Sex by Madonna, challenged six times.

(2) New Joy of Gay Sex, by Charles Silverstein, challenged 4 times.

(3) There was a tie for third place (3 times each): Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite, and, believe it or not, the Banned Books Week displays and posters put up by the Jefferson County Public Library.

(4) Two versions of Huckleberry Finn, both of them videos. Two challenges each.

(5) Two picture books: Don't Call Me Little Bunny, by Gregoire Solotaroff; and Guess What, by Mem Fox, two challenges each.

Why were these titles challenged? The top reason was "sexually explicit" (32 times), "homosexuality" (21 times), "unsuited to age group" (18 times); "offensive language" (15 times); "violence" (12 times); "occult or satanism" (11 times); "nudity" (11); "other" (10); "religious viewpoints" (7); "sex education" (6); "insensitivity" (5); "anti-family" (4); "drugs" (3); "political viewpoint" (2); "sexism" (2); "racism" (1); and "suicide" (1).

What was the result of all the challenges? Most of them remained in their respective collections. Six (6.81%) were removed: one (title unknown) at Baca County; one (also unknown) at Canyon City, Ghost by Piers Anthony (Holyoke), In the Eye of the Teddy, by Frank Ashe (Limon); a book about Krishna pulled for being inaccurate (Longmont); and a stock market video found to be incorrect (Colorado Springs). In many cases, Madonna's book was not purchased as a result of challenges. In three smaller libraries, so small that they never intended to spend $60 on the book in the first place, librarians were nonetheless warned that if they bought the book, it would be destroyed.
Another title (unknown) was restricted to adults only (Arkansas Valley).

Here's how the Colorado list compares to a list the American Library Association (ALA) compiled for the Top Ten 1993 challenges to public libraries:

(1) Daddy's Roommate,

(2) Madonna's Sex,

(3) Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman,

(4) More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, by Alvin Schwartz,

(5) New Joy of Gay Sex,

(6) Forever, by Judy Blume,

(7) The Witches, by Roald Dahl,

(8) Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson;

(9) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou; and

(10) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

There's been a lot of press lately about how these kinds of incidents have been both exaggerated and misinterpreted. People for the American Way, a censorship-watchdog group created by former TV producer Norman Lear, claims in its most recent annual report that the jump in challenges is an alarming trend across the country toward censorship. Focus on the Family, a Christian activist group centered in Colorado Springs, pooh poohs both the numbers and the concern.

Some truth, as usual, can be found on both sides.

Is there an increase in attempts to purge library collections? Yes. Measured from one year to the next, the percentage jump in such challenges is a legitimate cause for concern. The mix of books isn't much different than it used to be. But more people are finding specific titles objectionable. That's a distinct social trend.

On the other hand, in absolute numbers, such challenges make up a very small percentage of the tens of thousands of books, magazines, videos and audiotapes added to Colorado libraries each year.

Is it wrong to complain about a book? Not at all! If you care about books, then you have strong likes and dislikes. The same First Amendment that protects authors protects readers. I once hosted a meeting at a Colorado Library Association conference called, "Books I Hate!" and was not surprised to find out that a lot of librarians have books they hate, too, just like real people.

But the fact remains that people go to the library -- just as they go to a grocery store -- because it has things they do want, not because it doesn't have things they don't.

What's the appropriate role of the public library? Within the constraints of budget and space, to provide materials that represent as many views as possible. Like a good grocery store, we recognize that not everybody has the same tastes or appetite, and it's not our job to prescribe the same fare for all.