KS Library Board Drops ALA Language

By Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 06/01/2005

Does the American Library Association's (ALA) Library Bill of Rights prevent a library from protecting children from pornography? Worried about that possibility, the board of the Johnson County Library (JCL), Overland Park, KS, recently voted 4–3 to strip the language from the library's collection development guidelines. The action may turn out to be symbolic, as two of the board members who voted in favor of the action are at the end of their terms. Plus, patrons have criticized the decision.

"Because of patron response, the staff will request that the action be reconsidered," county librarian Mona Carmack said. Barton Cohen, who led the board effort, told the Kansas City Star that he particularly opposed wording regarding the importance of "presenting all points of view on current and historical issues."