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There is actually a library school and on the graduate level?
Well I learned something today. I guess I never really thought about it before.
Yes. The MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) is actually required for most public librarian positions... it's a specialized field without a bachelor's-level degree, so that's the best way to cram what we need to know! It's always been the case, or at least for the last 100 or so years. It used to be called the MLS, however, until computer technology joined the party.
Simply put some costumes make very bold statements about what the wearer stands for even though they have decided to dress up and read books to children. Not every costume sends a positive message. The argument could be made that if one group is allowed to do it then what about other groups? This is a Pandora's box we should not open. Not in tax dollar funded public libraries.
Try again. You said you "wouldn't let your child near them (drag queens)," so don't pretend this is about avoiding a slippery slope to something else we should be concerned about... tell us what offends you about THIS type of performer, as we have tons of other costumed or themed performers in libraries that nobody seems to mind.
That "Pandora's Box" was opened decades ago; guessing you don't frequent libraries much if you think this, or any costume/theme in a story time, is something new. Perhaps that is the problem? People who frequent libraries tend to be more well-informed and educated, soooo.
Interesting. Apparently, there's a lot more that goes into being a librarian than I realized.
Apparently so. Most people have no clue what we actually do... they think our job involves reading, shelving, and/or checking out books to patrons. None of which are typically in the job description (for a public librarian at least). Is that about what you were thinking?
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How would you feel about someone wearing the elaborate costume of a KKK Grand Wizard reading to children in a public library?
Hate speech isn't protected under the First Amendment, so that's a different can of worms. But if they somehow managed to get around that, AND drummed up some interest in the subject, I'd leave it to the parents to decide. Then if it drew an audience I'd move far away, as I don't want to live in a community that would welcome such things. That is also my choice and freedom; wouldn't force anyone to move with me.
On a slightly different yet related note, we discussed a similar scenario in my "intellectual freedom" seminar in grad school. There was a case somewhere of the KKK using the library's public meeting space, and questions on whether that should be allowed. Being told they had to let in a black (or anyone non-white/cis/etc) person if they wanted to attend, as per the rules for use of these rooms, solved the problem on its own.
My thought: Why should I give this another second of my time or concern?
Because a threat to freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. And for those of us in the profession, it's a continuous question of what we should or should not tolerate (in terms of censorship and bowing to demands).
If it doesn't affect you personally, I understand it not being worth YOUR time to consider - but it's an issue that should be debated, whether you choose to participate or not.
Try again. You said you "wouldn't let your child near them (drag queens)," so don't pretend this is about avoiding a slippery slope to something else we should be concerned about... tell us what offends you about THIS type of performer, as we have tons of other costumed or themed performers in libraries that nobody seems to mind.
That "Pandora's Box" was opened decades ago; guessing you don't frequent libraries much if you think this, or any costume/theme in a story time, is something new. Perhaps that is the problem? People who frequent libraries tend to be more well-informed and educated, soooo.
Get it right. I NEVER said I wouldn't let my child near them (drag queens), so my slippery slope theory stands. While hate speech is protected you could have members of a hate group dressed in the confederate flag reading "Green Eggs and Ham" to children. You could have a member of MS-13 read Curious George to children. Or a Dominatrix conservatively dressed reading a story to children (Sleeping Beauty perhaps). I seriously doubt you would want any of the above reading to your children. My argument is that ANY group could make a case to your local library to read to children, not to try and indoctrinate them to the particular group, but to merely read innocent stories to the little ones.
Yes. The MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) is actually required for most public librarian positions... it's a specialized field without a bachelor's-level degree, so that's the best way to cram what we need to know! It's always been the case, or at least for the last 100 or so years. It used to be called the MLS, however, until computer technology joined the party.
Yes, and it's required for school librarians too. Before I got my MLIS I worked as a library assistant in a public library and the head librarian didn't quite know what to do with the collection of porn magazines that someone had donated years before.
We are taught that there should never ever be any censorship but really, we had high school kids coming in after school so we're supposed to leave the porn magazines sitting out for them to read? She ended up putting them upstairs and one kid found them and she allowed him to go up there and sit for hours with the magazines. Good thing he didn't tell anyone else or all the high school boys would have ended up there every day instead of doing their homework.
I never banned any books but sometimes a parent would question something. I still never banned anything. In this particular drag queen instance, I just don't see the point of it. There's a fine line, slippery slope kind of thing to consider. Little kids are innocent so leave them alone to be their innocent selves. They'll have plenty of time later on to see the other sides of life.
Apparently so. Most people have no clue what we actually do... they think our job involves reading, shelving, and/or checking out books to patrons. None of which are typically in the job description (for a public librarian at least). Is that about what you were thinking?
Yep, pretty much. Though, without meaning any offense whatsoever, I'll admit that I've never really given any serious thought to what librarians do or what their qualifications are.
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Originally Posted by gizmo980
Hate speech isn't protected under the First Amendment
Teaching them things like the World was somehow created in only 7 days approximately only 6000 years ago, and that a global flood caused people to build a boat that could fit 2 of every creature on it when science has proven that concept entirely false based on the amount of species of each animal discovered.
These stories should be disclosed as fiction if taught. Telling them that such things are true is child abuse.
If there are gonna be acts of horrific violence and rampage, at least they could have the courtesy to attack a place like the Creationism museum in Kentucky which would benefit mankind.
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