Tuesday, February 26, 2008  
Freedom to Read: Library users accuse graphic novels of racism, pornography.

:: Posted by Bryan @ 2/26/2008 12:41:00 AM

Report Says Patrons challenge books, videos
by Bryan Munn

Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass, Dicken's Oliver Twist, and some of the best graphic novels ever published in Canada were among the library materials challenged by Canadian library users in 2007, according to a new survey released February 22.

The Canadian Library Association's 2nd annual Survey of Challenged Materials in Canadian Libraries identified 42 items challenged by patrons. Graphic novels were among the hardest hit by library patron "challenges" but film, video, and internet screening policies were also categories that were subject to scrutiny by the proverbial, overly-sensitive "concerned parents", nervous nellies and other book banning entities. The report was released on the occasion of Freedom to Read Week (Feb 24-March 1).

According to CLA President Alvin Schrader, author of the study Fear of Words: Censorship and the Public Libraries of Canada, not much has changed in the world of library complaints and censorship over the last 20 years. "The reasons given for challenges this past year strongly echo those documented in the mid-1980s. Librarians and public library trustees need to continue to be knowledgeable and articulate about potentially controversial topics and about our core values, freedom of expression and the freedom to receive information. If libraries don't create a safe space in Canadian society for as many voices as possible, nobody else will. This will always be an important policy goal for libraries in Canada."

To the credit of Canadian libraries and their knowledgeable Canadian librarians, most of the complaints did not result in any changes, beyond making sure that the titles were shelved correctly and that patrons were made aware of content and library policies.

The graphic novels identified in the survey form an interesting cross-section of popular works and works by award-winning cartoonists. Indeed, the Canadian comics on the list comprise something of a "Who's Who" of cartooning greats, with books by Chester Brown, Julie Doucet and 2006 Doug Wright Award-winner Lorenz Peter.

Also of note, the classic Tintin adventure, Cigars of the Pharoah. Originally published in 1934 (updated in 1955 and translated into English in 1971), this adventure by Herge takes place in India and Egypt and contains depictions of stereotyped inhabitants of those countries that may appear dated, at the very least. The patron objections to this book also bring to mind the recent controversy over shelving of Herge's Tintin in the Congo.

Below are the graphic novels included in the report, with the patron complaints.

The Monkey King (Dragon Ball Vol. 1) by Akira Toriyama.
Offensive language, age inappropriate
"in the head of the parent -- 'oh a 14 year old can see her underpants...'"

Left Behind: A Graphic Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Tim Lahaye, John Layman, and Jerry Jenkins.
Sexually explicit, offensive language, religious viewpoint, age inappropriate.

The Adventures of Tintin: Cigars of the Pharoah by Herge.
Anti-ethnic, racism, sexually explicit, offesnive language, religious viewpoint, age inappropriate.

Video Girl Ai by Masakazu Katsura.
Sexually explicit, violence, offensive language.

My Most Secret Desire by Julie Doucet.
Sexually explicit, "sexual filth" and "sexual sickness".

The Madam Paul Affair by Julie Doucet.
"Pictures on front & back covers"; "Most dialogue takes place in a bar, or bed"; "feeling sleazy & dirty, like smoking & drinking"; "Julie Doucet has no morals or talent"

The Little Man by Chester Brown.
Pedophilia.

The Frank Book by Jim Wooding.
"sexual vulgarity"; "introduction to sexual deviance"

Chaos Mission by Lorenz Peter.
Drugs, violence, offensive.

ACME Novelty Library by Chris Ware.
Occult, pornography.

Smokey by Bill Peet.
Racism.

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