VA Library Moves Painting After Patrons Complain

-- Library Journal, 08/04/2005

An oil painting that included a partly-clothed figure, on display for two weeks near the main entrance of the Chesapeake Public Library System, VA, has been moved after patrons complained it was inappropriate for children. After two patrons complained about “Morning Dreamer,” part of one of two shows featuring paintings by local artist Karen Kinser, library officials moved it to another show of Kinser’s paintings about 50 feet away. The move kept the painting in full view of the public, according to library director Margaret Stillman, who told LJ the Virginian-Pilot newspaper incorrectly reported that it had been hidden away.

Kinser told the paper, “Why is one art-ignorant person allowed, and even encouraged, by the public library management to dictate what should or should not be shown in our city’s public library?” Stillman countered, “We have a very keen sense of intellectual freedom tenets that are critical to a free library system, but we always apply common sense. In this case, we had a complaint about nudity.” She noted that no one thought the painting offensive, just inappropriate: “The [complaining] citizen even said she would buy it herself but didn't think it was appropriate in the corridor to the children's room.” A newspaper reporter observed patrons ignoring the potentially offensive painting. When queried, they gave mixed responses about whether a parent with children could find it offensive.