Video: Library Offers Diverse Resources, Seek To Serve Communities

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) -As director of the Lee County Library, Jeff Tomlinson makes it a point to try and have something for everyone on the bookshelves.

“In a public library setting it’s more important to have different views,” Tomlinson said.

But sometimes, books are challenged .

Each year, the American Library Association releases a list of the “Most Challenged or Banned Books” in the country.  Most of the time, books are challenged because of sexual content, language or other objectionable content.  In fact,  on the list last year, was Bill Cosby’s “Little Bill” books.  Those books were challenged because of the legal troubles surrounding sexual allegations targeting the comedian.

Tomlinson points out that at one time in the nation’s history, books such as “Of Mice and Men” and “The Color Purple” were on the banned books list.

“We’re not always going to agree on everything and that’s really a precious thing in America that we can have differing opinions and we like to provide people with information about those different opinions so they can form their own opinions,” he said.

A quick online search of the Lee Itawamba Library System’s inventory found most of the “banned books” aren’t even on the shelves.  Tomlinson says while libraries don’t pratcice censorship, they also must serve their communities by providing resources the public wants.

The list of most challenged books is complied from media reports and complaints in schools and libraries filed with the American Library Association.