Growing up here, the Great Neck Library was always a cornerstone of our community. It was where I’d browse the stacks as a tween/teen, looking for books to inspire me as a budding writer and lover of the written word. My grandparents lived in the community when I was a teen and they’d spend half their time at the library, going to lectures, classes, meeting up with friends. When I was a teen, Levels at the library was my sanctuary. I met my future husband there! Now, my kids are taking advantage of all the library has to offer as well and it makes my heart happy.
There’s a pivotal board election coming up in the next few weeks. Across this country there is a movement that is attacking intellectual freedom by silencing conversations about the LGBTQ community and about race, and this movement is targeting institutions (like schools and libraries) whose job is to defend these freedoms. Unfortunately, this movement seems to be gaining a foothold in Great Neck.
I believe we need to elect candidates who understand the important role that our library plays in our lives, who are staunchly supportive of the librarians and staff members who make the library great, and who unequivocally support a censorship-free, inclusive environment for all. That’s why I’m supporting Mimi Hu and Rory Lancman for the board, and Kim Schader for the nominating committee. They have shown that they support the values of our strong, vibrant, diverse community and know that a library stands for freedom of speech and ideas.
Please come out to vote. Applications for absentee ballots are due Oct. 18 and in person voting is Oct. 31.
Wendy Wisner
Great Neck
Didn’t Kim Schader promote abolishing the nominating committee last year? Why in the world is she running for this position?
Excellent question. Makes one think what Mimi, Rory and Kim are actually up to.
Alexa,
Hi this is Kim. My reason isn’t very complicated. The nominating committee has a disproportionate amount of influence over elections. While I think it would be better to let voters make their own choice without that influence, that isn’t how our elections are structured now. So, I’d like to help make sure that the nominating committee is giving the best recommendations possible. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Thanks,
Kim
There is fundamental difference between unconstitutional censorship and promotion of obscene content. According to ACLU, the Supreme Court has allowed censorship of sexual speech on moral grounds. The obscene descriptive languages and drawings in books such as Gender Queer, Lawn Boy, This Book is Gay, etc fall squarely into the definition of “unprotected obscenity” according to Miller v. California. I agree with the author that we need to elect candidates “who unequivocally support a censorship-free, inclusive environment”. However, inclusive environment does not mean offering of obscene and not age-appropriate content to children and youth. I am eager to know each candidate’s stance on this important issue.
There is fundamental difference between unconstitutional censorship and promotion of obscene content.
According to ACLU, the Supreme Court has allowed censorship of sexual speech on moral grounds. The obscene descriptive languages and drawings in books such as Gender Queer, Lawn Boy, This Book is Gay, etc fall squarely into the definition of “unprotected obscenity” according to Miller v. California.
I agree with the author that we need to elect candidates “who unequivocally support a censorship-free, inclusive environment”. However, inclusive environment does not mean offering of obscene and not age-appropriate content to children and youth. I am eager to know each candidate’s stance on this important issue.
I agree with the author that we need to elect candidates “who unequivocally support a censorship-free, inclusive environment”. However, inclusive environment does not mean offering of obscene and not age-appropriate content to children and youth. I am eager to know each candidate’s stance on this important issue.
This is all a lie. What a hit article.
The homophobia displayed by these “concerned parent” and “anonymity” posts is the real obscenity. How telling that they are afraid to post under their real names.
News flash:
Having a book on the library shelves is not “promoting” anything. Does having “Mein Kampf” on the library shelves promote Nazism and anti-Semitism?
Our libraries are filled with books that contain all kinds of information. And if a book with graphic content that is published in the YA category is shelved in the “Young Adult” section of the library, which is for ages 12-18, why is that not considered “age-appropriate”? Do these “concerned parents” really believe that their 12 year olds are completely innocent of any knowledge of sex?
Judy Blume, whose books were considered “dangerous” when they were first published, wisely said: “Censors don’t want children exposed to ideas different from their own. If every individual with an agenda had his/her way, the shelves in the school library would be close to empty.” And so it is with our Great Neck Library… some people with an agenda want to prevent children from learning about ideas that they perceive to be dangerous. And we can NOT allow those people to have a seat on the library board.
Vote wisely: Elect Mimi Hu, Rory Lancman and Kim Schader.