Second Letter to Editor in support of local Libraries

Dear Editor,  I am in complete agreement with recent comments made by Ms. Simmons in support of the Botetourt County libraries..  
I believe that parents should be able to identify books on subjects that they do and do not want their children to see or read about.  The best part of a public library is that it allows every parent to make their own personal choices and to also make choices for their children.

Right now there are people who feel that local libraries should provide only books that they themselves determine to be within their personally chosen boundaries. They also feel that their children should only be able to see books that reflect their personal beliefs. I want the same options for myself, my children and my grandchildren and I do not want to be limited by someone else’s book selection requirements. I won’t ask that the library’s book selection be limited to only what I choose and I request that others respect my choices also.

If parents are concerned about books their children might see in the library the libraries have age restrictions so that parents must be in attendance when their child is looking at and borrowing books.  This gives parents complete control of what their child reads and brings into their home.  If the book is thought to be unsuitable, the parent is able to tell their child to put it back on the shelf. With the current system, when parents are in the library with their children, no books would be viewed unless they are OK’d by a parent.  

The system is as it should be and as it should remain.  I’ll respect the choices of other parents and as I hope they will respect mine.

Local libraries provide more books and services than I could ever use and they do that for everyone! My hope is that libraries will be allowed to continue to provide all of their books and services to everyone and not be limited by the personal choices of a few citizens.

Harriet L. Dahlgren

Roanoke