I am familiar with the county commissioners’ idea to place a rating system for library books. I am also aware of some of the opponents of this idea’s argument that this is one step closer to book banning and censorship.
In a recent article published in the Chronicle, an opponent stated “if you don’t like the content of a book, then don’t read it but don’t tell me what I can’t read.”
The thing I don’t understand is how this is a step toward censorship and banning. I also don’t see where anyone is telling anybody what they can or can’t read. Movies are rated based on their content (profanity, violence, sexual content, etc.) and yet this is not considered a step toward censoring or banning movies. This rating system is in place to prevent young audiences from being exposed to mature/adult content and materials.
So why is it such an issue doing the same with books? There are also filters in place on library computers with internet access that prevent people from accessing pornographic or otherwise explicit materials. Is this censorship or banning, too?
Personally, if there is a book in the children’s area of the library that contains content that I find inappropriate for my child, I would like to know about it before exposing my child to it.
Duane Petersen
Randle
