When I was at the library one morning with my 1 year old son looking for one of my favorite magazines, Family Fun, I was taken aback by a magazine with blatant soft pornography on the cover right next to the Family Fun magazine. I wasn't surprised by the cover or the magazine - magazines often show the most indecent pictures on the cover, but I was taken aback that the by the library. Why does the library allow such an indecent picture to be seen by everyone taller than 4 ft? I read the library's mission, vision, and values in which I found this statement. Library buildings are a place of intellectual discovery, and are inviting, comfortable, and safe. The cover of that magazine, displayed for all to see, does not make the library a safe and comfortable place for me and my child. I also read their internet policies. Most of their computers have a filter, but you can ask the filter to be taken off if you need it to be. Hmm.. that sounds suspicious too. Would a student need to look at an internet site that is inappropriate to get information for his report? I would hope not!
My first action item is to write the library branch manager, Amber Mathewson. I will start out the letter by saying how much I enjoy going to the library with my son and how I am impressed with the children's program and activities. I will then explain what I saw in the magazine section, how it affected me, and how, even soft pornography, can be damaging to families. I will then ask her to put a cover over any magazines that may have an in-decent picture on the cover so that those of us who wish not to be exposed to it do not have to be. Especially if all we are wanting is a simple family magazine.
The mailing address for the Pima County Library is:
Pima County Public Library
101 N. Stone Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
101 N. Stone Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
I plan on sending my letter there. I thought about calling her or asking to meet with her in person, but I'm not sure how to do that yet. If I don't get a response from her and I continue to see the same problem at the library maybe I will resort to more personal measures.
