Free Weeklies Are Meant to Be Free
A recent article appearing in the St. Louis Suburban Journals reported that a St. Louis area resident called for the banning and removal of a free weekly available at a Jefferson County (Mo.) Public Library branch because "the content of this thing really upset [him]" - namely the use of the "F" word, plus advertising images that could be harmful to children.The article noted that while the Library Director was "sympathetic" to the resident's "high moral standards, ...the library has an obligation to offer a wide range of material for its many patrons" and is not planning to remove the weekly.
This story reminded me of the near frenzy that occurred two years ago at the public library I used to frequent in suburban Columbus, Ohio, where residents (unsuccessfully) called for the removal of two free LGBT weeklies for similar reasons, resulting in public hearings and a legal brief/opinion that stated “The fact that some materials may be harmful to juveniles does not authorize a library from an outright prohibition of those items. In fact, the Supreme Court has held to the contrary: a total ban is not constitutionally permissible.”
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