Family Friendly Libraries Archives
FFL Challenges "Banned Books Week"
For this reason society requires that the education of youth should be watched with the most scrupulous attention. Education is a great measurer, forms the moral characters of men and morals are the basis of government. Noah Webster (1758-1843)
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: September 14, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUBJECT: FAMILY FRIENDLY LIBRARIES CONTINUES A POSITIVE TRADITION TO CHALLENGE "BANNED BOOKS WEEK"
CONTACT: Karen Jo Gounaud, 703-440-3654 (email: karenjo@sc.rr.com, web site: http://fflibraries.org)
Family Friendly Libraries is inviting citizens and library professionals everywhere to join together on September 26 through October 3, 1998 in the positive tradition of the second annual FAMILY FRIENDLY LIBRARY BOOKS WEEK. FFL is encouraging everyone who cares about the winning combination of wholesome reading and impressionable children to turn away from the familiar "Banned Books Week" that is usually promoted by the American Library Association at this time of year.
"It is and has always been a negative event. The ALA uses that campaign to attack concerned parents and other citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights in behalf of their children and community. The ALA says it wants parental involvement, but negative opinions about library materials send member librarians into absurd public claims of 'censorship,' intimidating many parents from expressing their honest opinions," said Karen Jo Gounaud, President of Family Friendly Libraries. "For years, careful scrutiny of the so-called 'Banned Books' list has proven those claims to be exaggerated and deceitful misrepresentations of involved parents simply trying to protect their children from age-inappropriate materials by suggesting more appropriate access and selection policies."
The FAMILY FRIENDLY LIBRARY BOOKS WEEK campaign flyer asks patrons to "praise your library" for programs "affirming to traditional values" such as "positive attitudes toward patron suggestions" and "policies that help parents and protect children." FFL even suggests flowers or candy for hardworking librarians. Making "family friendly" book donations and helpful collection suggestions are also recommended.
"This is an opportunity," Gounaud stated, "to honor and celebrate public libraries in their positive, historic role as valuable education centers, while reminding those institutions that as members of their communities, they should also share in the responsibility of all citizens to support community standards and protect children from harmful or inappropriate materials. Why keep on attacking the very patrons who buy the books and pay the salaries? Even some national ALA leaders admit that the 'Banned Books' emphasis is not helpful to public relations."
Family Friendly Libraries is a national network of citizens and library professionals who believe in strengthening local control of public libraries and in protecting children from age-inappropriate materials.
