Village already does it
In response to Robert Steinbuch’s column on Act 372, “It takes a village to run a library”: Of course it takes a village to run a library—and a competent librarian recognizes that there are many different families who live in that village with different backgrounds, relationships, and oft-times divergent worldviews. To imply that somehow Arkansas libraries are in danger of making available “The Shining” or “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” in the children’s library section is absurd and inflammatory rhetoric.
I speak from my past 10-year experience on the Garland County Library board. Here in Garland County (and, I suspect, in all Arkansas county libraries), the county judge appoints a diverse citizen board (from the “village”), ratified by the quorum court, to oversee library policy and hiring. Monthly meetings review budget, planning, and other administrative issues. Every meeting is advertised and open for public comment provided that person follows the written policy protocol.
Act 372 is a law aimed at a problem that doesn’t exist. The dissemination of obscene literature is clearly illegal (Miller v. California, 1973). What is in question is just what is “appropriate” literature for anyone under the age of 18. What is appropriate in one family’s worldview may not necessarily be the case for another family. It boils down to parental choice, guidance, and supervision for the individual family.
Garland County Library’s wonderful contained children’s section has age-appropriate literature and programs curated by a knowledgeable staff familiar with current guidelines for children. So what about the unescorted 16-year-olds who come to the library? Relegate them to the children’s section in hopes they won’t stumble across “The Bluest Eye,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” or “Lady Chatterly’s Lover”?
I seriously doubt our quorum courts want to be burdened with reading (in its entirety) and assessing the literary merit of every book challenged by an offended citizen. That’s just what the ill-conceived Act 372 will accomplish. The quorum court already appoints “villagers” to oversee libraries—let the current system prevail.
DONNA CASPARIAN
Hot Springs