A librarian in Tulsa pointed out my banned book display was missing the actual complaint forms, and she was right | Banned Book Breakdown - Free To Speak
A librarian in Tulsa pointed out my banned book display was missing the actual complaint forms, and she was right
I set up a challenged books table at my branch and figured the dramatic covers did the work, but she said patrons kept asking what the challenge was even about and I had no answer ready. Now I print the actual reconsideration form next to each book, and checkout on those titles went from about 4 a month to 19. Does your library put the complaint paperwork out with the books, or does that feel like too much?
The 4 to 19 jump makes sense once you think about it. People see a banned book and either get mad or get curious, but they don't really know what the fight is over. Same thing happens with those warning labels on food and medicine. The label gets attention, but the fine print on the back is what actually tells you anything. My sister runs a small bookstore in Wichita and she started putting a little note card in challenged titles explaining who complained and why. Sales on those went up too. Putting the real form out turns it from a stunt into information, and that is what people actually want.