NJ Libraries Oppose the ALA: "Libraries are a Safe Haven for Youth" and a "Safe Learning Environment"

New Jersey libraries oppose the American Library Association [ALA] on the issue of safe libraries. The NJ State Library has an advertising campaign to attract attention to NJ libraries. Here is a sign I saw on the Garden State Parkway:


The sign says, "NJ Libraries Transform Lives; Tell us your story; www.tellusyourstory.org." Go to that site to see:

LIBRARIES ARE A SAFE HAVEN FOR YOUTH

Filomena Pereira hopes that all the students at her town’s high school will be able to take advantage of the educational resources provided by their library.

FULL STORY HERE

LIBRARIES ARE A NON-THREATENING SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

This New Jersey family shares their love of the library.

FULL STORY HERE

So the NJ State Library is promoting NJ's safe libraries, among other things.

Compare that to the ALA's view of safe libraries:

• "I get very concerned when we start hearing people who want to convert this country into a safe place for children," Judith Krug said. "I am adult. I want available what I need to see." Judith Krug is the ALA's 40 year de facto leader.


• "I have a real problem when people say, 'Well I walked by and you should have seen what was on the computer screen.' Well, don't look, sweetie. It's none of your business. Avert your eyes..."


• "As for obscenity and child pornography, prosecutors and police have adequate tools to enforce criminal laws. Libraries are not a component of law enforcement efforts...."


• "Blocking material leads to censorship. That goes for pornography and bestiality too. If you don't like it, don't look at it."


• "Every time I hear someone say, I want to protect the children, I want to pull my hair out."


• See For Yourself

So NJ promotes safe libraries and the ALA promotes the opposite, or so it appears. I think NJ libraries oppose the ALA on the issue of safe libraries. At least I hope they do.

What do you think?

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