This book shouldn’t be in the library!!

Sometimes patrons ask why there are certain items in the John Paul II Library. Why do we have a book by Judy Blume here? Why are there R-rated videos in the collection? And Harry Potter? The Da Vinci Code? Shouldn’t these be taken off the shelves and out of circulation?

There are many different reasons why an item is on the shelves. Sometimes a book or video is in the collection because a faculty member requested it for a class. Sometimes you need to read a book like The Da Vinci Code in order to refute its claims.

What about our students who are studying to become teachers? They will need to know if a certain book by Judy Blume is appropriate for a junior high class, a senior high class – or no one at all. How can they decide if they haven’t read it first?

And remember that nearly everyone here on campus is over 18. That means that they are legally adults. They have the right to decide for themselves what they chose to read or watch and why they need to do this.

If you are tempted to “accidentally” misplace a book in order to protect your fellow Franciscans, please remember that this may be an item that someone needs. Hidden, misplaced or (heaven forbid!) stolen items will be replaced using funds that could have been spent to purchase something else that we need – like The Bad Catholic’s Guide to Good Living.