Believe it or not, I don't like every book we have here in our library. In fact, the contents of some of the books make me downright furious. But I buy them anyway, and I make sure they are available for our patrons to read. I believe that is my responsibility as a professional librarian.That's just what Jeanne Layton did as well. Ms. Layton passed away this week, but in 1979 she was willing to lose her job to stand up for one certain book to be in the library, Don DeLillo's Americana. She believed that members of the community should have access to a broad range of books, even a book that some might deem obscene.
As a veteran myself, I fully appreciate the sacrifices made by our troops in uniform. But we should also recognize the sacrifices made by those in communities across the country who defend our civil rights, and so often receive little notice. Ms. Layton eventually got her job back, but it came at a great price. And I wonder, how many of us would be willing to risk our livelihood so that a single book could remain on a library shelf? I publicly admire her strength but secretly wonder if I could be so strong if I was placed in the same situation.
