A small victory in Johnson County

[proud2BlibKansan]

Library board restores ‘Bill of Rights’


Facing intense public criticism, members of the Johnson County Library Board voted Wednesday to reinstate national guidelines of intellectual freedom that guide how library materials are selected.

One month ago, the board voted 4-3 to remove from its collections development policy the American Library Association’s “Bill of Rights” and other guiding principles that shape its collection.

Some saw it as housekeeping to make the library’s policies consistent; others saw it as a smokescreen to hide an agenda by the far right to censor library materials.

The vote generated dozens of letters, e-mails and phone calls from residents, the majority of whom criticized the board for taking a step backward. Some threatened to withhold contributions to the library until the vote was changed, while others said the library’s national reputation was at stake.

more . . .

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11681757.htm

[getmeouttahere]

1. And Johnson County includes....

a big city like Kansas City??? It never ceases to amaze me that these people can even get this far with it

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. It's a suburb of KC

on the Kansas side.

[MuseRider]

2. Great news.

Every victory in Johnson County is good.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. These people are a bit nutty

but I think they were persuaded by the sensible folks they represent.

[atommom]

3. I was relieved to see this. I've spent a lot of time in libraries over

the years, and I know they're always under political pressure. But it's very, very dangerous to cave in. Once you give an inch, you might as well sell off your collection and replace it all with Laura Ingalls Wilder books, 'cause that's where you'll be headed...

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. But even Laura's books

are on the controversial list every year. You know why? Because she called the Indians 'savages'.

Seriously. Some nut tries to ban Laura's books every year or so because of this.

[atommom]

7. I guess we'll have to fall back on the "chicken soup for the soul"

books, then... :shrug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Those are probably safer

and less offensive to the fundies.

How long have you lived here, Atommom? I have been here all my life (and I am OLD) and I have always loved the fact that we don't have extremists in JoCo. I can handle living in a largely Republican county knowing most of them are moderates. After all, they elected Dennis Moore!!

But in the last year or so, I am appalled at the conservative fundies coming out of the woodwork. Were these folks imported? They certainly don't resemble the Republicans I grew up with.

[atommom]

9. I've only been in JoCo two years.

Prior to that, I had two years in Topeka, and prior to that I spent many years living in Lawrence. I grew up in a small town, and while there were plenty of Republicans, I just don't remember them being this crazy. Lawrence was the town where I felt most at home.

So, I don't know whether they were imported, or whether there's a mind control facility pumping them out, or WHAT'S going on. But I share your concern!