INLS843 Seminar in Public Libraries

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02 April 2007 - Collecting controversial materials

Conversation starter

• MA library defends both Playboy and open access. School Library Journal v. 40 (December 1994) p. 14
• In another town ... Letters to the editor: Playboy in libraries?

Discussion themes

Alison Shields will lead a discussion on collection development issues regarding controversial materials in public libraries. Topics which might be covered include:

• Children in the public library and access to pornographic materials and R-rated movies
• Selection bias: the censor in us all?
• Religion, politics, and sex in the public library
• The underserved LGBT community
• Non-traditional materials: the alternative press, video games, and more

Other readings

• Kids Get R-rated Movies at Libraries
• Kohl, D. F. (January 2004) "Sex and the Collections." The Journal of Academic Librarianship v. 30 no. 1. p. 1-2.
• Meet the Gamers