# Possible activist censor at my library! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 26, 2004, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180 "2004-05-26T14:39:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/1 "2004-05-26T14:39:41Z")
So, being a fine connoisseur of the graphic novel that I am, I was delighted to discover that my local library has a somewhat decent selection of the aforementioned literature. Of late, I have specifically been on both a Preacher and Hellblazer kick. What I have been finding is that some buttmunch has been removing pages from these books! This is not a case of the binding getting old and pages falling out, rather it is obvious that someone has gone in and (using something like an exacto-knife or a razor blade) very carefully removed selected pages. Moreover, in these same books this person has gone in and drawn black bars over any naughty bits that might show. Now I do get that these particular story lines are on the rather gritty side, but what the fuck gives someone the right to do this? Even more frustrating is the library staff’s blasé attitude when I bring this to their attention. Kind of a weak rant, I know, but I really resent people that take it upon themselves to decide what others are going to view and/or read. Who the fuck appointed you the guardian of morality anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/2 "2004-05-26T14:54:28Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > Even more frustrating is the library staff’s blasé attitude when I bring this to their attention. This is what I would be ranting about. Maybe the ones you are complaining to are the ones doing it? Write a letter to the head librarian, both at your branch and for the library as a whole, and tell them about it. Libraries spend perfectly good tax money on this stuff; I can’t imagine them being blase about destruction of materials. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/3 "2004-05-26T14:54:45Z")
Report it to the librarian. They catch the miscreant at it, he can get fined, or possibly even banned from the library. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/4 "2004-05-26T14:54:58Z")
They’re probably intimidated by the fact that 1) they don’t know which “borrower” did the editing, and 2) hey…we’re talking exacto knives here! But I must say, the blase’ attitude can be frustrating. My husband called the local fire chief because the rescue squad guys parked their rescue vehicle in the FIRE LANE at the grocery store, and went shopping! The chief said they weren’t in the wrong. It was better to have their vehicle there in case an emergency came up while they were shopping. I could hardly believe it. On my list of things to do today: Call the Mayor. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/5 "2004-05-26T15:07:08Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Call the Mayor. Or the local news. They love to fill up their space with stories like this. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/6 "2004-05-26T15:35:20Z")
> [@](#): > > My husband called the local fire chief because the rescue squad guys parked their rescue vehicle in the FIRE LANE at the grocery store, and went shopping! The chief said they weren’t in the wrong. It was better to have their vehicle there in case an emergency came up while they were shopping. I could hardly believe it. Actually, Kalhoun, it’s perfectly legal, and proper for a fire/rescue vehicle to park in a fire lane to be at the ready when in public. Sam ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/7 "2004-05-26T15:47:52Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Actually, Kalhoun, it’s perfectly legal, and proper for a fire/rescue vehicle to park in a fire lane to be at the ready when in public. > > Sam We used to do the same with our ambulances, only heard one gripe about it and he conceded in about 30 seconds that it was ok when I explained how much longer it was going to take me to navigate this big fat ford cargo van out of a stall, down to the far end of the aisle and come back down the opposite way to get back to the driveways, stopping 3 times for people pulling out in front of me, before I can come help him when he gets clobbered in the intersection 300 yards away. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/8 "2004-05-26T16:22:13Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > We used to do the same with our ambulances, only heard one gripe about it and he conceded in about 30 seconds that it was ok when I explained how much longer it was going to take me to navigate this big fat ford cargo van out of a stall, down to the far end of the aisle and come back down the opposite way to get back to the driveways, stopping 3 times for people pulling out in front of me, before I can come help him when he gets clobbered in the intersection 300 yards away. I was going to mention that I thought Ambulances were included in that category, but I’m not aware of laws or regulations concerning Paramed vehix. Just Fire/rescue vehicles. You confirmed my suspicions though. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/9 "2004-05-26T16:34:38Z")
Here I had a perfectly respectable rant about censorship and you people want to talk about parking? \, some days I should just stay in bed. ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/10 "2004-05-26T16:38:40Z")
If it makes you feel any better, my local librarian freaks out when people censor stuff in his department. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/11 "2004-05-26T16:47:46Z")
I’ve seen seen the cut-and-black-lines approach done to books at my public library, too. Strangely, I’ve never had a book from my campus library with the same problem. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/12 "2004-05-26T16:50:59Z")
Haven’t seen this at my library, luckily. Sounds like you have a fundie loon on the loose. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/13 "2004-05-26T16:54:48Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > Here I had a perfectly respectable rant about censorship and you people want to talk about parking? \, some days I should just stay in bed. Sorry, I’m just trying to “fight ignorance”. Didn’t mean to completely hijack your petty little rant about censorship. If you like these “graphic novels” so much, why don’t you go to a comic book store? 😉 Sam ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/14 "2004-05-26T17:00:05Z")
I think there was one at my library. Every time I’d go to check a book out about Wicca, the book was listed as “lost.” Either some Wiccan didn’t want to return the book, or some fundie decided to remove it permanently from the shelves to protect the _children_. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/15 "2004-05-26T17:04:13Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > … If you like these “graphic novels” so much, why don’t you go to a comic book store? 😉 > > Sam Well, the main reason is that we have a severe problem with books at the Binarydrone household. Unless I remain constantly vigilant, they tend to take over. Therefore, I am trying to stop buying just the pulpy literary snack type books, and save the actual purchases for quality books that I will want to have around, or reference material. Plus, I like the part where I don’t have to pay money for things. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/16 "2004-05-26T17:04:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Now I do get that these particular story lines are on the rather gritty side, but what the fuck gives someone the right to do this? Even more frustrating is the library staff’s blasé attitude when I bring this to their attention. :eek: :eek: :eek: I’ve come across this sort of vandalism now and then in libraries, but it’s been pretty much random. What I’ve seen are things like full-page pics of a celebrity cut out of a magazine, or a craft project…something that someone might have wanted to take home for his/her own purposes, but did not want to photocopy. I’ve never seen deliberate censorship like this, though. I’m amazed that the staff are not more concerned with it. Are you talking to an actual librarian, or to a library page? Most librarians have at least a Masters in Library Science and a passion for the written word, and the preservation of their materials. Generally speaking, the pages are the ones who are usually checking books in or out and restocking the shelves. The librarians are the ones who are in the office or are sitting behind a reference desk, and are pantingly eager to help you find a book or a fact. I’m willing to bet that you talked to a page, so go back and talk to a librarian, hmmmm? ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/17 "2004-05-26T17:10:07Z")
> [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > …I’m willing to bet that you talked to a page, so go back and talk to a librarian, hmmmm? I’m pretty sure that you are correct. I do plan to make a bit of a fuss over this. I know that these particular books aren’t exactly literature, but this sort of behavior really needs to be nipped in the bud. ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/18 "2004-05-26T17:11:55Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > Well, the main reason is that we have a severe problem with books at the Binarydrone household. Aah yes, we have the same problem in my household. Censorship bites, but the librarians can’t exactly monitor all of the books for vandalism all of the time. It’s bound to happen more often than not. Sam ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/19 "2004-05-26T17:12:49Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Actually, Kalhoun, it’s perfectly legal, and proper for a fire/rescue vehicle to park in a fire lane to be at the ready when in public. > > Sam I would think they would do that if an emergency is actually in progress; not to do light shopping. It might be “legal”, but I wouldn’t call it “proper.” What if another emergency vehicle had to get in to help someone? At the very least, it sets a bad example. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180/20 "2004-05-26T17:15:04Z")
Someone did much the same thing at my local library once, with “Salem’s Lot”. Specifically, someone had gone through the first few chapters and scribbled out all of the naughty words. Thing is, they stopped partway through. I can only assume that they eventually put down the book in disgust…I mean, if naughty words bother you that much, what are you doing reading Stephen King?..but the result was a book with a few naughty words scribbled out near the beginning and graphic descriptions of vampire attacks at the end. So it’s not like they even accomplished anything, really. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-activist-censor-at-my-library/247180.md?page=2)