Local levy: Library has character flaws

Picking on the library is akin to criticizing Grandma, but then again, if she has a serious character flaw the truth can be painful.

I find poignant irony in the library’s efforts to propose a levy for operations. If I am not mistaken this is the same group that spurned input by pesky taxpayers who were offended by library policies.

First, both of my kids had books out and some were overdue. In an effort to be responsible parents we queried the library as to which books were overdue so we could remedy the problem. We were told in no uncertain terms that this was not our business, we HAD to respect the child’s right to privacy — a 12-year-old. So the library has taken on the role of nanny and it knows what’s best for my children. When did they become the parents?

Second, and far more onerous is the policy on surfing the Web for porn. It’s OK for the guy in the next cubicle to surf the web for porn sites, print the “ART” and leave it scattered about for all to “enjoy” because we have privacy screens. Now THAT’S the kind of behavior that serves the public good. I want those kinds of virtues encouraged in my community. The anemic arguments that purport to champion free speech fail to grasp historical imperatives that deliberately limit speech for the public good. Does anybody recall the horrendous abduction / rape / murder of Danielle Van Dam in San Diego? The perpetrator was a heavy consumer of on-line porn. To suggest pornography is victimless is to be clueless!

Perhaps Ms. Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory (Sno-Isle Library director) could address some key issues:

1) How DOES pornography serve the public good?

2) How does the library dismiss the corollary between porn and crime (try looking under Bundy, Gacy, Westerfield for starters)?

3) Who gave the library the authority to assert themselves ahead of parents to their families?

While I am passionate about literacy and education this agenda is flawed. Leadership implies judgement, an ability to make value based decisions, a commodity in short supply by our library directors.

Our money? Not until I see better judgement.

Tad Gordon

Oak Harbor

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