Hello everyone,
I would like your opinion on an policy that has bothered me since I took
this job approximately seven years ago. Each year we revisit it and each year
we keep the same policy.
I work in a medium size public library that serves a population of 55,000.
The borrowing policy of the library prohibits patrons under the age of eighteen
from checking out any DVDs or videos. We also charge an "Insurance fee" of .50
for residents and $1.00 for non-residents per item.
I know what ALA would say about restricting access to these items. However,
this is not a perfect world where parents watch what their children check out
from the library. We have had enough controversy at this library and I don't
think we want any more. Heaven forbid if little Johnny should take home a movie
that shows a breast! We do have a vocal conservative element in the community.
So my question is, what should we do? Keep the policy? Change it to allow
everyone access? I should tell you that because of this policy I buy some
unrated movies and plenty of R rated.
Julia Churchill
Audio Visual Supervisor
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 S. Raymond Ave.
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453
jchurch...@olpl.org
Oak Lawn patrons can download e-books from www.mediaondemand.org
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VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
