snogandagrope:

queerchive:

1) Wow, reader shaming much?
2) Books should not be excluded solely on their writing quality.
3) They should also not be excluded based on the objectionable nature of their content. I used copies of Anita Bryant’s memoirs to write my thesis about the anti-gay movement. Repugnant stuff, but clearly significant.
4) This reaffirms the library as an exclusive “proper” space and invites people to bolster their false notion of them as a dinosaur populated by shushers and judges.
5) Pro-tip. Order “Fifty Shades.” Put it on a book display with books and movies about abusive relationships, feminism. Include The Joy of Sex.
7) DON’T KNOCK PUBLIC LIBRARIANS I DON’T, I’M NOT…
6) Encourage critical thought and don’t be a censor oh my goodness.

Since some fb asshat outed my tumblr, I might as well cross post on this one, too. 

First, thanks to everyone for traumatizing my student so horribly she deleted the post.

Second, I AM A HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIAN. Want to rethink any of your flaming and shaming?

You have to know there is a difference in selection policy between academic libraries and public libraries. Same as there are differences in selection policies between an elementary school library and a law library. My signage was to open the dialogue, to get kids to go to the public library or fic archives for material that is beyond YA – which is who I serve, high schoolers. I am serving my patrons, my students, best by showing them ALL of their options WHILE AT THE SAME TIME guiding them to the awareness of mental and physical abuse, which is a Real Issue. 

I know it is incendiary, that was the point. To get THEIR attention. Public libraries serve the community as a whole, I serve 9-12 graders. Graphic adult sex is at your public library. High schoolers figuring out their sexuality and experimenting, falling in love the first time, surviving breakups… that’s YA and that’s what I’m buying, especially if they are asking for it by name.

Third (kinda back to second), this book is about mental and physical abuse. This book is about mental and physical abuse IN THE GUISE OF BDSM. This is not how BDSM works! This is an insult to both abused women and the BDSM community.

And (I think finally) as a ficcer, this book is an insult to the fic community. When we have such glorious examples of fic to novel out there, like Kara Braden’s Longest Night or Lisa Nicholas’ The Farther I Fall, or Wendy Fries’ The Day They Met, and 50 Shades is what introduces people to fic. With the still horrible (professional) editing/cringe-worthy dire need of a beta. 

The sign has done its job. My students are asking me how to find the public library nearest their house. They are asking me how to get a library card. They are learning how to navigate tags on original work archives and find material they are interested in reading, while avoiding what they do not. And, they are learning that just because It’s Popular, doesn’t make it Good.

It isn’t. For many reasons. But the reason I won’t buy it is, again, graphic adult sex is at your public library. High schoolers figuring out their sexuality and experimenting, falling in love the first time, surviving breakups… that’s YA and that’s what I’m buying, especially if they are asking for it by name. Regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, or creed.