Dr. Kyung Kim
Instructor LIS 5408
Instructor LIS 5408
6-14-2010
In-Class Ethics Assignment
In-Class Ethics Assignment
By: Bayo Cary
1) For this homework assignment it will be necessary to imagine a fictitious situation, in which you are the head cataloging librarian for a large school district and you notice some books of lesbian fiction, which have rather explicit covers waiting to be cataloged for the local high schools, would you:
1) For this homework assignment it will be necessary to imagine a fictitious situation, in which you are the head cataloging librarian for a large school district and you notice some books of lesbian fiction, which have rather explicit covers waiting to be cataloged for the local high schools, would you:
·
Should the library send the
books off to be bound in plain covers?
·
Another pertinent question,
regarding possibly explicit book covers portraying lesbian sexuality, and the
ethical issues related to the exposure to high school students to possibly
explicit homosexuality, in the form of photographic media in a high school
environment is: whether or not the books with the explicit covers should be
processed with the explicit covers?
In my opinion, reading a
book is no indication of whether or not an individual agrees with the view
purported by the book. It can only be
assumed that the individual has some curious thoughts related to a subject area,
which they believe, may be addressed in the book. If the issues presented in the book are of a
homosexual nature, sexually explicit or not, that in of itself, in my opinion,
is not enough reason to deny access to a book.
The fact that the cover portrays visual images
of a highly sexual nature, is important, and should be considered prior to
processing the book. In my opinion, it
is not appropriate to display graphic images of a sexual nature, explicit or
not, in a high school library, or in any other library. In my opinion, whether
the graphic sexual media is of a homosexual or heterosexual nature should not
make any difference. In my opinion, the
cover should not be displayed if it is of a sexual nature. The possibly explicit nature of the material,
therefore, does not require consideration.
It is simply inappropriate to display materials of a graphic sexual
nature in libraries—period.
In my opinion, the book’s cover should
be replaced. Then the book should be
processed and be made available to the general public. The book should be processed and access
should be provided in the same way in which other information materials are
provided, even if the consumers of the information are high school students. The provision of the book to high school
students, therefore, should not require any addition steps, such as permission
granted by the librarian, in order for an individual to access the book. It should simply be available on the shelf,
with no labels or warnings to indicate the nature of the subject matter
addressed in the book. (The issue of
what it is age appropriate, regarding exposure to material which may be
sexually explicit in a high school environment, is addressed by question # 3,
later on in the assignment).
According to American Library Association’s
(ALA), Restricted
Access to Library Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of
Rights, “Libraries must maintain policies and procedures that serve the
diverse needs of their users and protect the First Amendment right to receive
information”(2010). I agree with ALA’s
commitment to support First Amendment rights.
The First Amendment of the Constitution of
the United States confers the following enumerated rights: “The amendment prohibits the making of any law ‘respecting an establishment
of religion’, impeding the free exercise of religion,
infringing on the freedom of speech,
infringing on the freedom of the press,
interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning
for a governmental redress of grievances”(First Amendment to the United
States Constitution, n. d. ).
The right to the freedom of
speech, which is enumerated as a right in the First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, guarantees American citizens the right:
·
to speak; write, publish;
·
communicate with
others; and
·
comment about how
they think and feel publically.
It should be noted that the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, is
limited by certain stipulations which were established by the government, and
which are also reinforced by the government.
In my opinion, there should be no limitations on American’s ability to
speak freely on any issue at any time.
However, I do think that it may be necessary to filter who has access to
certain, very narrowly defined, information.
In my opinion, the determining factor in who
should be allowed access to information should be based solely on the issue of
“protection.” However, I am open to the
idea that there may be other issues pertaining to information access, which I have
neglected to consider, which may require some amount of restricted access as
well. In general, it is of my opinion,
that the over ridding issues which require consideration are the issues of:
personal health and overall safety.
In order to address these
issue I believe it is necessary to broach the following question: Will the
information provided in the book cause the individual who accesses the book a
significant, and therefore unacceptable, level of harm or cause serious injury?
In my opinion, is the answer to the previous query is: “yes,” then access to
the material by teens should be restricted. I strongly believe that Children/teens should
be protected from exposure to information which may hurt them, even on the
tertiary level.
In my opinion, I think that in most cases this
includes exposure to materials of a sexual nature, the issue of the explicitly
of the materials is, therefore, not a factor that requires consideration in
this particular instance. Access to information is so vitally
important that, in my opinion, the need to provide information access, regardless
of the content, is of a critical nature.
The presentation of the materials, in a way that would not be considered
offensive, is just as important, if not more so.
An offensive book cover could possibly
make a patron quite uncomfortable. If a
patron is put-off, even by something as small and seemingly insignificant as a “racy”
book cover, that individual may decide to no longer frequent the library. A patron may not be able to access information
elsewhere. The patron may be excluded
from the ability to access information which they really need.
People work very hard to earn degrees and to
be in respected positions within a community.
Many times access to these professionals, whether they be lawyers, or
doctors, or anyone else, requires some sort financial transaction; they incur a
significant cost. People, generally, do
not have access to a professional’s services, or expertise for free. Financial concerns are significant to members
of the low-income community. Members of
the low income community may have limited, little, or no access to financial
resources what-so-ever.
In some cases an individual may be able
to locate information of the Internet or elsewhere in the library, which
obviates the need to seek professional advice.
When an individual has limited, little, or no financial resources,
access to information via the library for free may be their only possible
source of information. The library in
many communities is the only provider of free access to information that
includes:
·
Internet
access as well as access to books;
·
journals;
·
online
database; and
·
assistance
to reference the materials and information they seek.
As previously mentioned
above, in many cases, members of low-income communities, and minorities in the
U.S., have no other way to access free information. Internet access in particular, is limited
among members of the minority community.
Income, education, age, and location are all factors, in whether someone
who is a member of a minority community, has access to the Internet. There is, however, still an appalling
disparity between the availability of Internet access for Whites, and the
availability of Internet access for members of the minority community, which is
based on race alone. The disparity of
the access to the Internet, the digital divide, can also be a combination of
anyone of the factors enumerated above in addition to the factor of race.
In addition, many times, an individual
will be provided more efficient and or effective services by professionals, if
it is necessary for them to seek professional advice or assistance, if that
individual has done prior research on whatever issue they want the professional
to address. Prior knowledge about an area
that is being professionally evaluated is, therefore, a boon. Prior knowledge, allows an individual to
engage in a more knowledgeable, and therefore, a more effective conversation
with a professional about the particular issue that needs to be addressed for
the individual.
Many times an individual will have a
better understanding of how their issue is being addressed. The individual may be able to understand and
or communicate in some of the same terms utilized by the professional, and the
service which is being provided by the professional could take less time. Overall, professional services are
expensive. Some professionals charge for
their services by the hour. Other professionals
may require additional appointments to address an issue, if the individual
requires too much explanation regarding the service which is being provided,
and that too creates a cost barrier to access of needed information.
In my opinion, it should be taken into consideration, how the entire
community of people who access information at the library feel, and how they
may react to something which may be considered sexually explicit. The fact that the cover is of homosexual
lovers is a secondary issue, insofar
as I am concerned. However, the overall
comfort of other library patrons should be considered an issue of significant enough
to cause a large degree of disquietude.
2) Put the books on the backlog shelf hoping they won't be found?
Physical and virtual restrictions on access to library
materials may generate psychological, service, or language skills barriers to
access as well. Because restricted materials often deal with
controversial, unusual, or sensitive subjects, having to ask a librarian or
circulation clerk for access to them may be embarrassing or inhibiting for
patrons desiring the materials. Even when a title is listed in the
catalog with a reference to its restricted status, a barrier is placed between
the patron and the publication. (ALA, 2010)
“Restricting access to library materials violates the
basic tenets of the Library Bill of Rights” (ALA, 2010). According to ALA’s Restricted
Access to Library Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of
Rights, a barrier to information is a violation of” rights” (2010). A
barrier is a barrier regardless of what it is or how it is justified. A barrier prevents easy access to
information. Therefore, based on what is
stated in the ALA, Library Bill of Rights, access to information should
be provided barrier free and access to information should be able to be as easy
and simple a process as possible, without violating the right to privacy. Otherwise
an individual’s rights have been violated.
In my opinion, an individual could not logically
explicate the acceptability of novels which may deal with similar issues of a
sexual and possible explicit nature, in regards to heterosexual couples, but
not in regards to homosexual couples. In
my opinion, to support the exposure of teens to issues of a possibly sexually
explicit nature in a high school library environment, to issues which are
heterosexual, but to hinder and block the exposure of teens to the same
homosexual issues, simply because they are homosexual, is illogical and hypocritical.
3) Mark the books for patrons over 16?
In my opinion, this is a very difficult
question to answer. An individual who is
only 16 is not considered an adult; therefore their “rights” are limited to
protect them from harm. It is a
scientific fact that our thinking processes change and mature as we age. Therefore, a 16 year old may not be able to
judge a book which may deal with possibly explicit homosexual sexual material
from a critical point of view. The
protection of children/teens from making decisions which may incur serious
consequences, for their personal health and safety, I believe, is both
necessary and valid. The fact that a
teen is not considered an adult until age 18 by the American Government,
supports my above stated assertion, regarding the need to “protect” children
and teens from harm.
A 16 year old may agree or disagree with the
any or all sexual behaviors, which may be presented in the text of a any book
they have access to. Sexual preferences,
or sexual values, and or beliefs regarding the acceptability of homosexuality,
which are presented in a book which deal with homosexuality and possibly
explicit themes, does not affect a teens ability to make decisions based on
what they comprehend when they read a book.
However, I do support the idea that, making a decision regarding sexual
preference and the acceptability of homosexuality, based on a book, which may
be of an explicit sexual nature, can affect a teen negatively in the
long-run. An ability to truly think through
something as complicated as human sexuality, may not develop until later in
life.
However, it is at that very age, of 16, that a
teen is coming closer to adulthood, and when questions regarding sexuality and
sexual preference often surface. Sometimes, even if parents/guardians do not
approve, teens need an opportunity to read and reflect on issues which may be
generally perceived to be inappropriate because they discuss issues of a mature
or socially unacceptable nature.
The issue of homosexuality, especially if a
teen feels attracted to the same sex, is a sufficient reason to provide access
to materials which may otherwise be deemed harmful. It is difficult to know, with any degree of
certainty when a teen may have feeling of uncertainty regarding their sexual
preference. In many instances, even
inquiring about the issue of homosexuality can carry a heavy burden. An individual may not feel comfortable requesting
access to a material which is restricted due to the content of the material
which is contained in the book. In my
opinion, therefore, teens should be provided access to books which deal with
homosexual themes.
The consideration, regarding whether exposure
to the books material should again be challenged by on the possible explicit
nature of the subject matter presented in the book, is another issue to
consider entirely. In my opinion, it is
not very relevant. I believe access to
the book should be provided. However, a
strong argument for the importance of considering the explicit nature of book
could be given. There may be, a more
socially acceptable level of sexual content, a book may contain, in regards to
the issue homosexuality.
I, however think, that the
access should be provided regardless of the explicit nature of the book,
because the reason a teen may want access, may be because they are curious
about the realities of a homosexual relationship. Intimacy with anyone van be rather explicit. Therefore, I think that the explicit nature
of the book, if it present in the text, may actually give a more honest
portrayal of what actually occurs in a intimate homosexual relationship in
relation to the actual act of
sex.
The question of whether a teen
should be allowed access to books about human sexuality, when it is couched in
terms that could possibly be considered explicit, is debatable to some. In my
opinion, whether it is appropriate to allow a teen access to books, of a
possibly sexually explicit nature, according to parents or guardians preferences,
or to social mores, does not matter at all.
The teens needs trumps parental concerns. Teens, who have questions about their
sexuality, need to be provided the opportunity to research and expose
themselves to materials which present issues which concern:
·
which will cause them to think about their
own sexuality;
·
what their sexual preferences are;
·
how society would realistically view their
sexual preference; and
·
whether they have a choice regarding sexual
preference, or if sexual preference is genetic, and therefore, determined at
conception.
Even if the teen, is not capable, at that particular time,
of forming a mature or appropriate opinion, due to their age, the teen still
needs the chance to view materials pertinent to their concern, and they still
need to be given the opportunity to form an opinion on the subject matter being
addressed. Critical thinking and
information are important aspects of the decision making process. Critical thinking effectively and logically
takes practice.
There are many questions, a
teen may have, which may need to be answered regarding human sexuality. Homosexuality is still not considered an
acceptable choice in America. There is a
sizable social stigma attached to same sex relationships. Therefore, the fact that there may be no one
for a teen to talk to, regarding questions they may have pertaining to human
sexuality and to homosexuality is, in my opinion, a serious problem. If no one is available to talk to a teen
regarding the issue of homosexuality, then what is available in books and other
forms of media, sexually explicit or not, may be a teen’s only opportunity to
explore issues related to their questions regarding human sexuality.
In my opinion, the need to be able to access
information, in order to answer questions and make decisions in an informed and
logical manner, outweighs any concerns about: age, maturity, or the possible effect
of books which are sexual and possibly explicit. The fact that the material is based on
homosexual themes, I believe, is not a factor.
In my opinion, an individual’s sexual preference is not anyone’s
business. In addition sexual preference
may be genetic and beyond an individual’s control. I believe that it is not fair to judge an
individual regarding issues which are beyond their control.
I do
not support the ostracism of individual’s from society because of any view that
individual may hold, whether it is in relation to something a personal and
private as their sexual preference or not.
Finally, the commitment, by the library, high school or otherwise, is to
provide access to information. The issue
of an individual’s sexual preference, therefore, should in no way ever be a
factor in which library materials are provided to the community it serves, or
in who is allowed to access information in a library environment.
If a teen is unable to access
information, regarding the issue of homosexuality, explicit or not,
consequences may ensue, for which there is no possible remedy. In my opinion, suicides among teens, are far
too common. The suicide rate of teens
who are confused about their sexuality, are even more prevalent and should not
be considered socially acceptable. In my
opinion, in many cases, access to information may be able to reduce or
eliminate the negative depressive feelings, which cause a teen who is sexually
confused, to feel so hopeless and believe that the only possible solution to
their, pain, suffering, confusion, is to die.
Teens need to be able to fully
understand the consequences of engaging in a homosexual relationship prior to
doing so, in order to make an informed decision of engaging in the socially
unacceptable behavior. There can be many
unpleasant repercussions to engaging in a homosexual relationship, due to how
harshly society still views same sex relationships. If a teen has an opportunity to read and
reflect on the consequences of a homosexual relationship, they may, if they are
able, chose to engage in no intimate relationships at all, or they chose to date
a member of the opposite sex. In my
opinion, either choice is valid, depending on the teens comfort level and/or
ability to control their sexual preference.
4) “The Question of Acceptability
Regarding Books which focus on Lesbian Relationships”
“Restricting access to library materials
violates the basic tenets of the Library Bill of Rights” (ALA, 2010). The above statement supports the idea that
library materials should be made available, regardless of content, whenever
possible, to everyone, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. This also means, that the ability to access
free information through the public library system should not be denied to
groups who are viewed by society unfavorably.
Groups of individuals who may be viewed by society in an unfavorable
light include, but is not limited to:
·
the homeless;
·
immigrants;
·
the disabled; or
·
other groups of people who have been
socially stigmatized.
“A
primary goal of the library profession is to facilitate access to all points of
view on current and historical issues” (ALA, 2010). It is important to provide books
about subjects regardless of what the subject area is. Someone may chose to read the entire book or
just parts of the book. Regardless of
what information, or how much information, whether the information is taken out
of context or not, in most circumstances is not an issue. The issue is whether or not an individual is
provided with the opportunity to access free information.
There
are many books, both recent and historic, which tell stories which are of a sexual
nature, and which are sometimes deemed “explicit.” Some of these books are considered to be
“works of great fiction” or “classic literature.” Because of the metadata attached to these
books and, therefore, their classification: as “great” or “classic,” which
indicates a higher standard; individuals are encouraged to read them. The sexual content, which may sometimes be
explicit, is not considered in the classification of the books as being of a
higher standard, which indicates an increased value of the material presented
in the book.
In my opinion, I think that it could not
successfully and logically argued that a “racy” book about heterosexuality,
which may be considered “explicit,” should be permissible and is acceptable,
while at the same time arguing a claim, that a book about lesbians was any less
acceptable. In my opinion, the
theoretical argument proposed above, would be illogical and hypocritical.
Works Cited
American
Library Association (ALA) (2010). Restricted Access to Library Materials:
An
Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.
Retrieved from
First
Amendment to the United States Constitution. (n. d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_amendment_rights
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