Censorship in Connecticut

Not a pretty subject and it should not be part of any Library discussion except for the fact that libraries are a place where no censorship exists.  Libraries and the public have been plagued by this behavior over the centuries.  Today is no different - sad to say that it exists right here in my own state. 

Yet there are small minds among us.  I appreciate that we all have opinions, yet I do not appreciate that my choice should be limited by them.  So here's a town government fighting over airing a 2007 film.  The airing was cancelled - Shame on them!

One note - see the article below - one resident complained?  Hmmm ...  I think we need to get some advocacy working here!  When is the next election?


Eyewitness News3 http://www.wfsb.com/news/26559608/detail.html
Library Cancels Movie Under Pressure

Library Director: Mayor Threatened To Cut Funding


ENFIELD, Conn. -- The Enfield Public Library has canceled a screening of the Michael Moore documentary "Sicko" about the American health care system under pressure from the town council and mayor, prompting accusations of censorship.

The screening was canceled Wednesday, a day after a resident complained about the film at a council meeting.


Several councilors objected to the film, and Republican Mayor Scott Kaupin asked the town manager to talk to library Director Henry Dutcher. Dutcher said that he was told by the town manager to cancel the screening. Kaupin called the decision to show the movie "stupid" and threatened the library's funding.

Democratic City Councilor member Cynthia Mangini called it censorship.Peter Chase, chairman of the Connecticut Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee, called the decision "absolutely deplorable." 

Mail Bag

Hello to all and Happy New Year
Wishing you all a great year with your Friends group.  I'd like to start the new year out with a special quote.  It's one that speaks to the who and how our Friends groups come together and create the greatness for each of our libraries.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

To start the new year off,  I'm going to the Mail Bag to let everyone know about Burlington's accomplishment. We all need to embrace using the Web for all it offers.  Mind you not you can not exclude the personal touch when it comes to membership. Remember those hand written notes go a long way to say Thank You to our members.
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Patty,
I attended the FOCL conference where you spoke this past fall and was enthusiastic about your ideas for gaining membership. After discussing some ideas our "friends" Board voted to set up a pay pal account to allow people to donate on our website: http://www.friendsburlib.org/. Now we will work on getting the news out. Thanks for the encouragement.

Anne Walluk, President, Burlington Library Association, "Friends of the Library"