Book bans legislate readers into ignorance

I don't understand why politicians think it is their duty to legislate our children's lives. Are all of our memories so short that they have forgotten Hitler's book burning crusade? I was a public library director for 33 years and survived several book banning attempts.

Most libraries, both public and school have detailed policies and procedures for reviewing book complaints. When followed, they are both effective for the library and the complainant. A patron once tried to remove a book on flying because she feared her son might get killed flying a plane. Another patron wanted books about Frank Buck removed for fear that her son might take up animal training and get killed. A policy floated by our governor which would remove all books in all libraries if a book was removed in one makes no sense whatever. Different libraries have different readerships and libraries try to provide for that diversity, and must have the freedom to do that.

Taken to the extreme if we follow what is being pushed on all libraries, The Bible should be removed for Song of Solomon and other explicit stories. God protect us from such extremes. People must have the right to read what they choose and not be legislated into ignorance.

James White

Cedar Rapids