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Stephen Weiner on Manga Book Removed From Library
posted April 16, 2006
 

Stephen Weiner, Director
Maynard Public Library

I wanted to offer a few thoughts here for a couple of reasons: 1) I reviewed the very Manga book in question and recommended libraries purchase in an article I wrote for School Library Journal in 2004, and again in the 2005 edition of The 101 Best Graphic Novels and 2)one thing a comics or graphic novel collection collection within a public library can create controversy.

As Manga has become such a huge commercial enterprise, it is incumbent upon public libraries, if they want to remain live institutions, to integrate Manga into their collections. There are few books on the subject out there; Gravett's book is a good source and should be utilized, regardless of whether or not a small portion of the book may be objectionable. The same library that withdrew Gravett's book might ask itself it it will withdraw 2 hour feature films because a few frames are objectionable.

Controversy is good for public libraries. The message that controversy sends is that libraries are willing to take a stand, that they do believe in intellectual freedom. If they do do take that kind of a stand, its been my experience, that more supporters than critics will step forward. By removing the book from the collection without at least further discussion, the public library acted cowardly and missed an opportunity, through communal dialogue, to educate the community and let it grow.