The conversation on this line has been quite interesting in recent days. There seems to be anxiety over materials that relate to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I think that people are confusing their professional outlook with their personal outlook. I echo Dr Sheynin that this line is not a place for politics. However, I think there is a serious professional issue. We can have in our libraries a balance of intellectual output. This does not mean that we personally have to reflect that balance. As professionals we often deal with materials we disagree with yet we perform our professional tasks to the best of our ability. It is unfortunate that anyone would go beyond that point and have their professional side be affected by their political side. If that is the true then ALA was correct in condemning Israel for destroying Palestinian Libraries and culture with no mention of the attempted destruction of Israeli society by homicide bombers. The bomber shows no deference to educational institutions, places of worship, or any other gathering place of civilians. To favor or sympathize their position without mentioning the other equally terrible piece is unfair and obscene. Have we forgotten about our brothers and sisters who have been wantonly murdered over the last three years. When will we learn that the Palestinians are bent on our destruction either our institutions or ourselves. Balance is proper for a collection and is improper when it comes to our people and their survival.
I was once listening to a talk show on my way into work. The host took a phone call where the caller said that librarians build their collections based on their own problems. As to our discussion the caller would seem to be right. It seems from responses that librarians take their politics into the library. I called the program and informed the host that librarians concern themselves with information needs of the users of the library not their own. I believe that this conversation has no place on this line. This is a forum for professional issues. If we are deciding whether to buy such a film then that is valid. If our politics motivate us to buy the film it is professional irresponsible. I don't mean to blame anyone. All are entitled to their opinion but let us refrain from pushing an agenda. Our organization did not answer ALA's obscene resolution as strongly as it could have. What will we say if a homicide bomber will inflict pain on any of our institutions. Will we still be this political. This is AJL let it not become ALA Eliezer M. Wise Library Director Tuttleman Library of Gratz College 7605 Old York Road Melrose, Park, Pa. 19027 215-635-7300 x 159 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================================== HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
