Infamous Five: Blyton’s ‘offensive’ classics under wraps at libraries
Free speech campaigners challenge policy that includes a trigger warning for determined readers
ENID BLYTON’S books are beloved by millions, but borrowing her works from the local library may now be a job for the mystery-solving abilities of the Famous Five.
Blyton’s works are being treated like “contraband” by librarians, who issue verbal trigger warnings to readers who request the uncensored original editions of her books, The Sunday Telegraph has learnt.
Only recent editions, which have had potentially offensive terminology removed, are publicly displayed across Devon’s public libraries.
Original editions of titles like the Famous Five series are stashed out of sight in an off-limits storage space to prevent the public “stumbling upon” language that is “outdated”.
The policy, which includes librarians warning those who request the originals of the potentially offensive language used, has raised concern among free speech advocates.
This treatment of Blyton’s books has been revealed in Devon county council documents, which explain the charity running its library service – Libraries Unlimited – habitually refreshes stock with altered version of classic texts
The documents state that “where popular books have language that is increasingly outdated”, citing the example of Blyton, libraries “continue to purchase new editions where publishers have updated the language within”.
Original editions of books are held out of sight in “reserve stacks” where they “cannot be stumbled upon by customers browsing shelves”.
They are joined in this off-limits area by the autobiography of Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, and other texts removed from public view “following customer and/ or staff complaints”.
The documents add that if readers request the original editions, there is “an informal warning system when these items are handed over to customers to remind them that it is an old edition and the language contained within will be accordingly influenced”.
Blyton was a prolific writer who composed more than 700 books, including the Famous Five and Noddy series, from the late 1930s until her death in 1968. In 2010 the decision was taken by publishing house Hodder to refresh the works and make them “timeless”.
Words including “queer” and “gay” were replaced, as was “brown” in reference to the appearance of a fisherman’s sun-tanned skin.
Phrases such as “shut up” and “don’t be an idiot” were also reported to have been altered, along with mid-century slang terms.
Concerns have been raised that Devon’s libraries are keeping the original from the public, with the Free Speech Union claiming that Blyton’s works are being treated like “contraband” and “under-the-counter” merchandise.
Dr Bryn Harris, the Union’s chief legal counsel, said: “The Union deals with a lot of curious decisions – however, even we are bemused by the decision to treat the author of Noddy as dangerous and subversive samizdat.
“Public libraries obviously cannot stock everything, but by law they must provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service. Deliberately holding back certain works and making them less accessible might fall short of that standard.
“If public libraries insist on having a censorship policy, users must be clearly informed that the library’s holdings may not be comprehensive as a result of the policy.”
Devon county council and Libraries Unlimited have been contacted for comment.