Controversy and turmoil at library serves no one
Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, believed that libraries were crucial for improving the general conversation and knowledge of a free society.
We agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Franklin, but we are not sure our library has improved the knowledge and conversation in our county — at least not during the past week. Rather, it has been the focus of controversy and mudslinging and that’s unfortunate.
Our Pierce County Library is beautiful. The current facility opened on College Avenue in 2007 and has hosted thousands of residents, young and old and in between. It has provided books, videos, computers, meeting room space and programs galore.
That’s why it pains us to see all the controversy, turmoil and upheaval surrounding our Pierce County Library.
It started out as a good thing. The library posted a photo encouraging the summer reading program.
A post was made by someone with a different opinion and then another... and another. Comments went flying, insults were hurled and children and religion were mentioned more than once.
What are we teaching our kids when we are arguing and belittling each other while hiding behind our keyboards?
What are we saying about our religion if we can’t show love and understanding?
The latest developments include the display of an inappropriate book in the summer fun reading program and the dismissal of Manager LaVonnia Moore.
Why can’t our library be a haven where people can check out books, use a computer or participate in a socially enriching program without being embroiled in the latest flashpoint of the culture wars?
We get it. We realize there are citizens who are passionate about both sides of this debate.
Some want a library that is free of all restrictions and all rules. Others want a library that is governed by strict rules that are rigidly enforced.
We believe in the freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment and we are not naive enough to believe that everyone sees and believes everything the same.
We think the answer to these issues lies somewhere in between the two sides we have described.
There’s nothing unreasonable about expecting libraries to keep sexually explicit material out of their children’s sections.
There is nothing wrong with our library — supported by our tax dollars — reflecting our community, culture and beliefs.
The question is — who makes those decisions?
The debates about what we want our library to be, how we want it governed and what policies and rules we want for it are not bad things. In fact, these types of discussions, decisions and yes, debates and compromises, are things that should be done in a free society.
The debate has raged on our Facebook page since we posted the decision on the dismissal of Ms. Moore.
While most of the comments were respectful, some were downright vulgar.
Mr. Franklin’s idea is still an important one. Libraries are crucial.
We encourage our community to come together and work together and meet these challenges head on.
The next Library Board meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.
Let’s find some common ground here.
Let’s sit down and reason this out together.
