WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Wed., October 21, 10:10 AM
There is no answer to this question. It is, however, a major news topic in our area at this time. I am leaving out specifics because I really don’t want to give this matter any more publicity than it deserves. Here is the background.
A couple of years ago, there was a horrendous home invasion in a nearby community. The husband was badly beaten; his wife and two teenaged daughters were killed, and their home was set on fire. They were a close family, well liked and known as helpers in the community; it was and is a huge loss. Two men were arrested and are currently awaiting trial. There is no doubt that they are the perpetrators, and the subject of the death penalty will be coming up again.
Last month a book was published based on interviews with one of the two “presumed guilty,” in which, evidently, he tells the whole story laying the blame on the other guy. Of course. Many people are offended by the very existence of the book, and debates are raging about whether it should have been published at all. (Personally, I have no intention of reading the book.) It is a free country with free speech, we all know that, and yet… No one has yet gone to court questioning whether such a book can legally published before a trial is held, but I do expect to see some sort of suit about it.
This week the argument has centered around the community’s local public library. The librarian ordered two copies of the book, saying it is part of her responsibility to provide newsworthy material for the community. The citizens reply that, free speech or not, they don’t want their money spent on that trash. Having been in the business, so to speak, I find it a tough call.
You can’t put a book like that on the open shelves. It would be destroyed — even disappear — faster than you could imagine. It wouldn’t even have to leave the building. It is slightly safer if readers have to request it from the circulation desk; however, I can imagine people not wanting to disclose their identies. “I just want to look at it before I decide if I want to take it out.”
I am only a “librariette,” and I have never had a course in library ethics. So, all you librarians out there, tell me, what would you do?
