Senate Bill number 2421, sponsored by Senators M. Teresa Ruiz and Andrew Zwicker, is making its way through the New Jersey Legislature. In a case of typical leftist overstatement, if passed, it will bear the name “Freedom to Read Act.” A more accurate title would be the “Make Porn Permanent Act.” A … Read more
An old, inaccurate, yet remarkably durable image of the public librarian is a middle-aged spinster with reading glasses secured by a small chain around her neck perched on her nose. For her, quiet is not just a state of being but a command that exudes from every pore. She chooses her clothes … Read more
Librarians call it “weeding,” a long-standing—and legitimate—practice. Most school libraries have very limited space and must clear out shelves to make room for more titles. Usually, the process is a quiet one. Taxpayers don’t like to see expensive materials being thrown into landfills or incinerated. The Need to Weed The idea is … Read more
Once upon a time, fairy tales were read, adventures in far off lands held readers captive, Mastering the Art of French Cooking was studied, and DIY books on home repair and improvement were readily available—all in a relatively safe environment. Public libraries were welcoming places for all to seek knowledge and wholesome … Read more
That long-time leftist journal, The New Republic, published an article on the current controversy over pornography in children’s books. It is a masterpiece of confusion. Its author, Melissa Gira Grant, must have little grasp of how the debate developed, or she is deliberately trying to sow irrational chaos in her wake. Flawed … Read more
The current controversy over graphic and obscene content in school libraries is deadly serious. Just ask the Superintendent of Schools in Prosper, Texas. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal (“Texas District Spars Over Bid to Remove Books,” July 1, 2021) spotlighted this conflict, mirrored in school districts nationwide. Parents are … Read more
On January 4, 2022, a large number of Citrus County residents voiced their opinions at a County Commission meeting at the Inverness, Florida Court House. They demanded that local libraries not be allowed to have pro-homosexual displays during the month of June as a result of the one they held last year. … Read more
Victory over Houston’s “Drag Queen Story Time” is at hand. The series has been canceled for the remainder of the year. The program, which subjects young toddlers to story hours by men dressed as women, took place in Houston’s Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library. It was supposed to move less than one mile away … Read more
Data Without Wisdom Most of the architecture at Yale University is strikingly similar to the hallowed halls of ancient European universities such as Oxford or Cambridge. Much of its Gothic Revival or Georgian style buildings are simply awe-inspiring, providing an uplifting ambience for serious, scholarly study. However, the architectural harmony on campus … Read more
The feast day of Saint Joseph was a perfect day to rally in defense of the innocence of children at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka, Kansas. One of the titles of Saint Joseph is “Protector of the Holy Family.” How appropriate then was the protest of friends and supporters … Read more