Responding to Challenges

A former library director sent me this wonderful letter by Jamie LaRue, director of the Douglas County Libraries in Colorado, in which he defends retaining a children’s book about gay marriage. The book is Uncle Bobby’s Wedding, and yes, we do have this in my library.

I admire LaRue’s calm, compassionate and thoughtful response, but I gotta admit, my gut reaction was closer to that of another poster: “F*ck you, bigot.” (Cranky librarians do not make good directors.)

I also admire LaRue’s willingness to share his response, in order to help other libraries facing reconsideration challenges. That’s what I love about our profession: library staff always go out of their way to help each other out!