A few weeks ago, a clip aired on the local news about a parent wanting to ban “gay books” at the West Bend Memorial Public Library in Wisconsin. There was a meeting to discuss it, but too many people showed up for the fire code. The meeting was cancelled, and will be rescheduled in a few weeks.
I called the young adult librarian, Kristin Pekoll, to find out more and to offer my support.
The parents, Ginny and Jim Maziarka, are objecting to a list of recommended books dealing with GBLT (gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender) issues which is posted on the library’s website. In an email to the Daily News, they state: "We believe our library should be offering appropriate, wholesome literature to our youth instead of pursuing the illegitimate goals of transforming the views of other people's children on the contentious issue of homosexuality."
Here’s the article:
< http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2009/March_09/03022009_04.asp>
Here’s the link to the list on the library’s website that inflamed the Maziarka’s.
<http://www.west-bendlibrary.org/yara.htm>
It includes a list of GBLT books under the title, Out of the Closet. You’ll notice that there are many OTHER lists as well, for good mysteries, paranormal, sports, adventure, historical, romance, and Christian books.
The parent objects to the Out of the Closet list in general, as well as the books Geography Club by Brent Hartinger, and The Perks of a Wallflower by Steve Chbosky, in particular. She wants them removed.
Now I feel a parent has the right to monitor the books her own child reads, but does not have the right to make that choice for an entire community. She also does not have the right to remove books because they go against her personal beliefs.
What can you, as a parent, an author, an illustrator, do to help? An email, sent to Michael Tyree, the Director of the West Bend Community Memorial Library, would be great. His email is: mtyree@west-bendlibrary.org. Michael will forward these emails to the Library Board in time for the next public meeting. It would be good to copy Kristin Pekoll, the ya librarian, as well, kpekoll@west-bendlibrary.org. She is feeling frazzled and could use your words of encouragement. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Something simple is fine, such as:
“I support the West Bend Community Memorial Library in its decision to include Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Fiction and Non-Fiction in its collection. I object to the proposal to remove books in this category, including Geography Club and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Please spread the news, and ask your friends, especially your writing friends, to send an email of support. Librarians have the right to choose the books for their library’s collections. And those of us who write books have the right to include characters regardless of their sexual orientation.
If you prefer, send me an email at deborahlynnjacobs@deborahlynnjacobs.com, and I’ll send a group email with your name on it. Be sure to include your name, and your city and state. If you are 18 or younger, please just provide your first name (not last) age, and the city and state where you live (not your full address!!!)
Don't let censorship go unchallenged! It could happen in your home town, or to your books!