Should Libraries in Canada Remove from Their Shelves Books That Some Patrons Find offensive?
Essay by review • April 3, 2011 • Essay • 1,031 Words (5 Pages) • 1,362 Views
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Should Libraries in Canada remove from their shelves books that some patrons find offensive?
Books are a vital part of our society. They are essential in providing knowledge
and information for everyone. All books do not provide the same meaning to each
individual who reads it. Many readers may not even interpret the book the way the
author meant it to be interpreted. Each reader brings with them a personal history with
different morals and values; therefore they would interpret what the author is saying in a
different way. Some readers may find the contents of the book to be objectionable or
offensive because it attacks a basic belief or a way of life they are emotionally attached
to. They may attempt to have that book censored for that reason. However, just because
some people may find a book to be offensive rather than informative; dangerous rather
than valuable or deserving of suppression rather than distribution does not mean that the
book should be banned so that nobody would be able to experience it.
There are very different interpretations of the meaning of offensive when it comes
to books. What is offensive to one person may be very informative to many others. For
example, people who support the government may be easily offended by books or pieces
of writing that heavily criticize the government, even though those criticisms may be
true. Censors may attempt to have these books banned because it undermines their
government. Does this mean that libraries in Canada should ban these books? Harry
Potter novels written by JK Rowling are enjoyed and praised by adults and children all
over the world. Christian parents find the Harry Potter series of novels to be offensive
because the books involve themes that include sorcery, witchcraft and death. Does this
mean that libraries in Canada should remove all Harry Potter books from their shelves?
No, these books should not be banned just because certain patrons of the library find
them to be offensive. Many people still enjoy these books and find them very enjoyable,
useful and full of knowledge.
People who are attempting to suppress these artistic, educational or
literary works are trying to control what information is available to the public because the
books contain information that they find contrary to their beliefs or damaging to their
beliefs. In Canada we have intellectual freedom. The Canadian Libraries Association
defines intellectual freedom as "the right to read, view, hear, express and discuss any idea
on any subject. Libraries are committed to satisfying the interests and needs of
individuals of varied backgrounds and differing political beliefs." The Canadian Libraries
Association also says that "Intellectual freedom is an essential part of democracy. To
make informed decisions, people need free access to information from many
perspectives. Censorship weakens democracy." If a certain book was banned because
some patrons of the library found it offensive, it would violate our rights to intellectual
freedom and take away from democracy. Allowing books to be banned because some
people find it offensive would set the stage for attacks on any form of expression that is
politically and artistically controversial or that portrays unpleasant realities of life. This
would turn our democratic society into an authoritarian society.
Of course there are some books that should be deemed unsuitable for some people
to read. There are books that people under a certain age should not be able to access. For
example, novels written by famous author Stephen King should not be readily accessible
by anyone other than adults because of the violent situations, sexual references and
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