Lauren the Librarian

huffellepuff:

Short story: the Jackson County Oregon library system has a page online where you can request books that they don’t have in the system, and they can buy and add them. In the past, they have ordered every book I have requested except for two: Bumped by Megan McCafferty and The Bermudez…

I have a really strong opinion on this issue, so I thought i’d retumble and respond. As a librarian, I was taught there were certain “rules” we should abide by. One of which is not forcing our personal opinions on patrons. This includes the area of collection development. So if I were against, say, bananas (I am, they’re gross), I should still get books that have bananas in them. 

Books are important. They allow people to vicariously live another life. So, if there was a teen trying to understand their sexuality, they should be able to find a book that relates to them. That helps them realize that they’re okay, that there are others like them. (I created a whole YA booklist on this very topic, actually.)

The library is important. It lets people get materials and information for free. (Key word there - information. Information isn’t just books - it’s experiences, ideas, inspiration, facts, thoughts…) It’s a safe environment for someone to go to when they have questions. Sometimes they ask a librarian their question (please do! We’re here to help!) Sometimes they go to books. And you know what? I’d almost always love for a teen in particular to go to a book when they’re confused or lonely or questioning. (I say “almost” because if that book was, say, 50 Shades, I’d be worried.) 

So! Do I think libraries should buy books like “Bumped” (which is about teen pregnancy) and “The Bermudez Triangle” (which has a lesbian as a main character)? Absolutely. (My library does!) I don’t think libraries should avoid having these titles because “they don’t believe in them” or “they’ll just be controversial.” Stand up for the controversy. Stand up for the patrons who need and want these books. There are so many different types of people, why limit a collection to be representative of only a few? And why risk not having such great titles on the shelf? 

Perhaps since I’m younger and newer to the field I have a more outrageous and idealized and, yes, radical view. But I’ll never lose it. I’ll never build a collection that omits titles because they’ll cause a stir. Especially when they’re teen titles. Because those are the patrons who I want to give every book to. Those are the patrons I want to be there for. And, yes, those are the patrons I’ll forever stand up for.