Alabama Library Challenges (Enterprise Public Library)

26 March 2014
Dear Chris,
I have received your emails and will try to have a staff member send you some
information within the next few weeks that might be of some help. We haven't had
much controversy here. Perhaps people steal materials that they deem evil
instead of completing our EPL Request for re-Consideration of Library Materials
Form.
Be patient with us as we/I are very, very limited in staffing and very, very
busy. My goal this year is to complete my required tasks and then go home like
everyone else does...everyone who has retirement and health benefits... I am a
furloughed over-educated, highly educated professional educator who really needs
to walk away from running this library... I am nuts for still being here... so
we will scan or fax what we/I can if we have time.
Good luck,

Denise
Denise Unruh-Kitch, Director
Enterprise Public Library
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334) 347-2636
Fax: (334) 393-6477
Denise Unruh-Kitch
Director Enterprise Public Library
101 E. Grubbs Street
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334) 347-2636

28 April 2014
Dear Chris Peterson,
Since I became the Director January 2007, only two items and both categorized as
"Young Adult" (meaning they are physically located in our Young Adult room/ages
14+) has been questioned by parents of teenage patrons.
For the the first YA item, May 6, 2009 - it involved a YA CD Book titled The
Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos. This teenage patron had checked out
similar items in this same genre with similar language. After discussing this
audio book with the parent patron, I suggested that the teenager not listen to
YA CD Books since the audio content might be a bit different from the
traditional print book. Her mother thought Gantos content was too extreme for
even adults to listen since the daughter kills her mother in the book and
performs taxidermy on her mother - she has to "stuff" her own mom and it is very
detailed- I know- I listened to it!
For the second one, I checked out Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick October 29,
2011 since the parent complained about the language in this book specifically
"bastard", "ass", and "pissant".I did not see any reason to remove this book
from our collection as it did not violate any established policies, etc.,. I
explained our policy to the Parent Patron who backed off and agreed to disagree.
She also agreed to allow her sixteen-year-old daughter the privilege of choosing
her own reading materials in the future.

The following has been copied from our Enterprise Public Library Policy Handbook
- Policy which I and the Board of Trustees are continuously updating - for your
notes concerning your research topic.
6.7 PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO REQUEST FOR REMOVAL OR RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIAL

The Enterprise Public Library recognizes that many library materials are
controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selections will
not be made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely
on the merits of the work in relation to the development of the collection and
to serving the interests of the readers.

Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents and legal
guardians. Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials
may inadvertently come into the possession of children.

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or
disapproval of the contents, and no cataloged materials will be sequestered,
except for the express purpose of protecting them from injury or theft.

Guidelines for Materials Complaints
 Remain calm.
 Do not take complaints concerning materials personally.
 Be courteous.
 Listen carefully.
 Offer the library's point of view as a matter of fact:
 Explain the library's public position and responsibility to provide
materials to a diverse population.
 Explain that the library upholds the principle that no one individual
or group can dictate to others what they may or may not read.
 Make known the library's position to provide material for all who come
in, but it is each individual's choice as to what is used or checked out.
 Explain that the library does not coerce people to read or use one
source's opinion over another.
 Explain that each person has the freedom of individual choice to make
selections from a large offering and a wide variety.
 Point out that a public library has a clientele that represents many
viewpoints and beliefs.
 Explain that libraries include materials that represent a broad range
of beliefs.
 Discuss the fact that libraries do not necessarily endorse the ideas
represented in the collections.
 If the complaint relates to children and library materials, point out
that the library staff does not assume the role of parent in restricting the
access of minors to materials and services. Only parents can restrict materials
and only for their own children.

Offer a copy of the Freedom to Read Statement and Library Bill of Rights.

If the patron remains in disagreement, ask that the complaint be put in writing
using the Citizen's Request for Reconsideration of Library Material. (See
Appendix B)

The Library Director and designated staff will evaluate the complaint and inform
the patron of the library's response.

If the patron remains dissatisfied following reconsideration of the material by
the Library Director and library staff, the matter will be referred to the Board
of Trustees.
7.0 Making Materials Available and Intellectual Freedom

7.1 ADOPTION OF THE “LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS,” “FREEDOM TO READ,” AND “FREEDOM TO
VIEW” AS OFFICIAL POLICY

The Enterprise Public Library Board of Trustees adopts the "Library Bill of
Rights,"
"Freedom to Read" and "Freedom to View" as official board policies.

7.2 PRIVACY OF CIRCULATION RECORDS

The Enterprise Public Library complies with 41-8-10 of the Code of Alabama that
recognizes the confidential nature of an individual's use of a public library
and expressly prohibits the disclosure of circulation records.

The exceptions to the general prohibition on the disclosure of registration and
circulation records include the following agencies and individuals:
 The Enterprise Public Library
 Alabama Public Library Service (APLS)
 Parents of a minor child using the library

*Patron records shall not be made available to any agency of state, federal, or
local government except under subpoena.

Staff members must be aware of the privacy of circulation records and comply
with the Code.

7.3 ACCESS TO MATERIALS BY MINORS

Parents are responsible for their children's selections and use of the library.
The Enterprise Public Library staff does not assume responsibility for library
resources used by minors.

This is all that I have and hope that it will suffice your needs, Chris.
Good Luck,
Denise Unruh-Kitch,
Director, Enterprise Public Library

Denise Unruh-Kitch
Director Enterprise Public Library
101 E. Grubbs Street
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334) 347-2636

Chris,
Do you want to receive our EPL Board Policy concerning this issue? I am going to
attach it for you and use it please respectfully.
Denise Unruh-Kitch, EPL Director
Denise Unruh-Kitch
Director Enterprise Public Library
101 E. Grubbs Street
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334) 347-2636