Cheshire Public Library Director Ramona Harten has angered a good many fellow townspeople by ordering a book about the 2007 Petit family killings for the library's collection. Petitioners will take their demand that the book be banned to a special meeting of the library board Thursday.
Ms. Harten should stand her ground and the board should back her up. There is never a good reason for this kind of proposed censorship in a society that values free expression.
We can easily understand why the book, "In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood," written by Brian McDonald, would be upsetting to Dr. William Petit, who survived the ordeal, and his family and friends and neighbors. Such a case tests our commitment to First Amendment values.
The book, however upsetting, belongs in the library's collection. Patrons — including those who might not be able to afford to buy the book — should be free to read it or spurn it as they wish.
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Ms. Harten should stand her ground and the board should back her up. There is never a good reason for this kind of proposed censorship in a society that values free expression.
We can easily understand why the book, "In the Middle of the Night: The Shocking Story of a Family Killed in Cold Blood," written by Brian McDonald, would be upsetting to Dr. William Petit, who survived the ordeal, and his family and friends and neighbors. Such a case tests our commitment to First Amendment values.
The book, however upsetting, belongs in the library's collection. Patrons — including those who might not be able to afford to buy the book — should be free to read it or spurn it as they wish.
What's your view? Make it known with a Letter to the Editor. Visit www.courant.com/letters and scroll down.
All reports are that the book is of poor quality. On a subject well covered in the media, why does the library feel it needs to stock a poor quality book.
Since when did the libraries received some exalted status that the can over-rule the will of the people. Next budget cycle the elected town officials should send a message that put the voters in the rightful place of running the town -- the library's budget should be slashed until the point it shows it is responsible to the will of the community and respects the people that pay for the salaries and operations of the library.
Jamessw4 (10/24/2009, 7:00 AM )