Library files may still be at risk under Obama

Eric Holder, US Attorney General- designate, said that he supports renewing a section of the USA Patriot Act that allows FBI agents investigating international terrorism or espionage to seek records from businesses, libraries and bookstores. If not renewed by Congress, the provision will expire at the end of 2009.

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AzLA IF Network now on Facebook

Hello Everyone!

I just created the AzLA Intellectual Freedom Network group on Facebook for those who are active on the site and would like to keep up with IF issues in Arizona through it. Feel free to join the group, post articles, photos, videos, etc. make comments, and friend me, if you wish.

Thanks to Wordle (http://www.wordle.net) for help with creating the image. Happy Networking! ---M.

2008 Challenges in Arizona

Here is a list of the challenges that were reported to the AzLA Intellectual Freedom Committee in 2008.

February:  A public library patron objected to the library circulation copies of the DVD Borat: Cultural Leanings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.  The patron objected to the nudity, the racial slurs against Jews and "male sexual scenes" (homosexuality.) Material was maintained by the library because it fit the collection development policy and it was a popular title at the time.

May:  Gossip Girl and A-List series were challenged in an Arizona High School.

June:  A parent objected to the covers on Vibe magazine in an Arizona public library.  She requested the magazine be moved to a private area in the library or terminate the subscription altogether due to partial nudity on the cover.  Magazine, and subscription, were maintained on the YA shelf, as they fit the collection development policy of the owning library.  

August:  A parent objected to L8r, G8r, by Lauren Myracle stating the book was not only pornographic, but the worst was the cover especially appealed to small children like his 10-year old with it's cartoon characterizations.  He did not want to file a formal complaint or have the book removed as he stated he does not accept censorship, but he felt strongly he should make the librarians aware of this issue.  

August:  The Notebook Girls was challenged in an Arizona high school.

September:  A parent objected to the teaching of  James Baldwin's Another Country in an AP American Lit class on the basis of strong language and sexuality.

September:  A public library patron requested the removal of the YuYu Hakusho series by Yoshihiro Togashi.  She claimed the books depict violence and rape.  Based on this, she determined they did not belong in the YA collection of the library.  The materials were maintained because of the awards the series won, the popularity of the series in the community and the fact nearly 300 libraries have the books shelved in J or YA collections around the country.   

December:  A public library patron asked for the removal of Chuck Palahniuk's Snuff.  She did not see any redeeming value in the book based on the plot and she felt it was too available for anyone (children) to check out.  She felt it was completely inappropriate for a library to keep on its shelves.  The material was maintained in the Adult fiction collection, as it fit the collection development policy of the owning library.