I can't tell you how many times I pull my wallet out as my daughter walks up to the counter with a bunch of books and movies in her hand... We go all the time and I still forget that I don't have to pay when we leave. Even when I get a bunch of blu-rays. I love that place so much. Support your local libraries folks!
In high school, my history teacher that specialized in World War 2 had a quote that he said was the only thing he wanted us to remember from his class if we have to remember something: "When they start firing librarians and banning books, you're in the beginning of a dictatorship. Librarians are the guardians of free speech and the first lines of defense against a dictator, which means they're also the first to fall." This shit happening now is terrifying.
@@VladLad "We must simply remember that conspiracy theory I've bought into could also be responsible" is not as convincing as you think weirdo. The only modern political ideology that calls for "all institutions to be subrverted" as you put it are extremist anarchists and primitivists.
@Tricklarock Expand on that a bit please, or yours closely resembles a nonstatement at least to me. Vlad stated quite a bit (that I agree with, by the way). TIA
🙋 librarian in AR. Our children's programmer was called a Jezebel by one of our state reps because of a pride display (she sees it as a compliment lmao)
Are you a librarian? What's your experience, it sounds like a nightmare for you guys. Librarians here study librarianship. I feel like Luddites are taking over. And it's actually getting dangerous. I really feel for you guys. Libraries save children. Take care.
I had a friend whose parents stopped educating her in 6th grade so she could become a housewife that took care of them when they were old. The library was the only place she was allowed to go unsupervised when she was 16. She self-studied for the SAT and the librarians helped her get through all the legalities that freed her when she was 18. Edit: I'm pleasantly surprised how many people found this comment. I met this friend at that library, I volunteered there. I've seen librarians help homeless folks apply for jobs, print copies of artwork for artists, and help people new to the area find a church or mosque that was right for them. I saw humanity there, and it saddens me that so many people feel threatened by it.
Quick lil PSA: Library funding is partially based upon the amount of people with a library card. If you get a library card for your local library, even if you never go, you’re helping out the community
I have a card and my library now offers eBooks. I'll try to rent more books now that I know it helps them. My local libraries do book sales a few times a year, selling books for cheap, and they make it a whole event with games and food trucks. I've always wanted to go but I'm vehicle-less at the moment. So, renting more books it is!
That's so stupid. Library should still be an appropriate environment for underage kids. Just because they have a phone it automatically dismisses that? There's also drugs and prostitutes in the world oh but let me compare that to the library. Such a dumb argument and whoever defends that is dumb too
"if they are alone in the library, then they probably have a ( my iPhone-3 16.5~yo-and-up/got-driver-license ~ or laptop i got as a adult/newlyweds, my childhood Christian/lds/Jewish home-2000's didn't have computers/DSL-or-broadband ( school/business/shared-families-home-based, limited speed DSL* and tracker's-etc aka being spied-on ) or cell-phones*, as there was concern about obscenity's-etc and the expenditures/$$$ ) phone. Which means that my library is the least ( TV ad's/other public sources and or new's/slander/slangs-etc in the 90's and or late night broadcasts-antenna/free show'd cracks ,but not the full real experience's ) of your concerns." Truly beautiful yep getting internet and traveling and or moving around-after-19yo~ by myself and later on ( unhealthy/happy, yes we could have probably salvaged it, but all parts weren't there better self's 😉 unfortunately, my part was using my grandpa's/1950's as example's and stubbornness/conversion therapy try's, and fear of enforcement and or retaliation social or governmentally ) monogamous-married, let me find out my identity 🌈 thank's jonn-O yes i could ( teenage/pre-25yo me, was homophobic/rainbow-hunter/preaching 🤦🏻♂ sorry my bad ) and still could use heathy and or more-balanced ( my mind isn't always around ( actually i found im on the ACE spectrum, but lower level ) sexual activity, sometimes im relationship-on talks and friendship's aka life-partner's ) media example's of being queer and or polly+marriage ( happiness ever after, instead of being the failed couple/triangle-tropes ) 🤠🤠🤠 / 👰👰👰 or 👰🤠👰 or 🤠👰🤠
If you have a kid with a smart phone and they are taking it to any bathroom and you the parent are not in there with them, the library is none of your concern because the kid is in to much "worse" on their phone.
That's the thing that truly gets me. I'd be willing to make a solid bet that none of these parents keep track of the stuff their kids do online - what TikToks they watch, their Google history, RUclips channels they sub to, who they'r DMing on Instagram etc. Yet there's a *possibility* that there's a *book* in a place these same kids probably *never even go to begin with* - oh, the horror! As long as little Johnny or Suzy have their iPhone or iPad and leave Mommy and Daddy the hell alone, they can continue on their moral outrage parade towards content that may or may not even exist in their local libraries.
@@NismoR34Drift Most of the people filing complaints aren't even parents with young kids! They're religious nuts who think they should control others' lives!
I’ve struggled with addiction and homelessness on and off, and let me tell you, when society treats you like trash and you have nowhere else to go on a cold day, I have always felt 100% welcomed at my city’s libraries ❤ the library is so much more than books to so many people. As long as you are respectful and quiet, I have never been turned away. Ever.
We don't usually turn anyone away as long as we can help it and they behave. Unfortunately, some public libraries have fallen victim to (city) marketing and will ask homeless people who make their beds in front of or nearby the main entrance to leave.
In a world that is also more and more online, public libraries often provide the ONLY free internet access possible. That doesn't seem like much, but the vast majority of jobs (including entry-level jobs that is the max most homeless people will be able to access) DEMAND an online application for any position. They also require multiple means of rapid communication, which can be simulated with an email account and various free text communication services. Remove public libraries, and you remove one of the necessary tools for homeless people to improve their situation and no longer be homeless. Libraries and gyms are PIVOTAL to homeless people who need access to the internet and showers. One of my best friends went from penniless and homeless to owning his own small business because he begged for enough to get a gym membership and frequented his local public library to find and apply to jobs online. If there hadn't been a public library, he'd still be penniless and homeless...
The part that sticks with me is that a picture of a child playing in the bathtub with a toy boat was considered sexual content. So you’re literally sexualizing a child, but librarians are the ones being called pedophiles.
Ordinary folks wouldn't even think about that pic of the child in the bath!! Good god!!! It's THESE bloody so-called christians who are perverted!! (I'm an ex-christian btw, in the uk, where I experienced nothing like the sort of off the charts insanity that the US has!). They actually seem obsessed!
Work in the Library here in Minnesota, it hasn't been that bad but sometimes it can be. People did keep stealing John Oliver's book to stop it from being read so we ordered a ton of them to flood the area in response. I am responsible for that and am proud.
I'm a retired librarian. As part of my function, I have evaluated challenges to materials. It is the responsibility of the parents of minors to review materials a minor borrows. It is not the responsibility of library staff to censor a minor's choices, regardless of reading level or content. We serve ALL who come through our doors.
it's also especially important for young adult to have a source to learn about topics they might be too embarrassed to talk with their parents, namely sex and gender identity, especially if their parents pretend to be 'good' evangelicals.
Our profession has criteria for weeding and for assigning books to a certain audience. If patrons question those criteria, they are still free to choose not to check out the book in question. But that is as far as it goes. They do not get to do our job just like I don't get to barge into bakeries and start kneeding dough just because I didn't care for the crompouce.
Former librarian chiming in here. There are adult, teen and children's areas on the public library. If you believe your children are seeing these books and checking them out, where the F*CK were you? You are supposed to be there with your kids. Or did you just dump them off and expect someone else to take care of your children and their moral upbringing?
I literally never brought my parents to the library once in my entire life. Who are these weirdos going on family trips to the library? I usually went to the library after school. Why would my parents be there?
Food for thought: it would be very interesting to hear the book-banning crusaders' response to the question, "If we should ban all these books to protect hypothetical kids from hypothetical harm, then shouldn't we also ban private gun ownership, since they cause very real kids very real harm?"
Ahhh but there is a very distinct difference between the 2 - One may reference Boobs & Butts & One includes Bullets & Blood. Have you not noticed yet how religion is vehemently against 1 and sickenly supportive of the other ?
@johnnyonthespot4375 The director Milos Forman observed years ago that it was perfectly acceptable to show a breast being stabbed or cut off, but not caressed. Our society has a weird addiction to pain and punishment and an even odder relationship to pleasure.
@@piaonomata9220 Aye, I think fundamentally its the nature of US social fabric. The saying that has resonated with me has been "The US wasn't founded by immigrants, the US was founded by protestants that's filled with immigrants". That weird, repressive, self torturing origin has embedded itself into US society so deeply that no matter your class, creed, background, it still permeates the public morality.
I have a foster teen (16.5 yo young lady) who came to stay with me Dec 21st of last year. She was an hour+ away from family, friends, and on winter break for 2+ weeks before starting at a brand new high school. I brought her to my local library's teen loft for a gaming night over winter break. The librarian was so gracious and the teen left that night with a half dozen new friends at her new school and continues to go to the loft at least once a week. Eternally grateful she has a safe space full of compassionate people.
My mom was an emergency foster care provider for many years. IIRC around 110'ish kids over the years. Some for as short as 2 days, some for over a year. I had sisters and brothers of every age, race, creed, and disposition. If I believed in a deity I am sure that you would be blessed. Thank you for your dedication to helping a young adult in a difficult time in their life. May the flying spaghetti monster give you unlimited garlic bread O_o
I never comment on RUclips, but I'm so moved by John's outpouring of support, that I feel compelled. I am a public librarian in a relatively conservative county on the East Coast. I am fortunate to work in a role that doesn't come into direct contact with these kinds of challenges day to day, but as a member of the librarian profession, I feel threatened and demoralized whenever I hear of stories like these from across the country, and I hear them a lot. I am also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, so people attacking my colleagues in order to push people like me out of public view is truly crushing. Last year, I read Gender Queer for the first time, and I cried because I felt like I really understood myself and like I'm not alone, perhaps for the first time. I wrote to the author personally to thank em and to pledge my support for the book as a librarian. Obviously, Gender Queer and books like it are not for kids. I blushed repeatedly, and I'm in my late 20s. But if I had had access to a book like this as a teenager, my mental health would have been that much better for that much more of my life. When I am at the desk, I place holds for patrons on books by Tucker Carlson and Mark Levin. I do so respectfully, as if these are any other books, even if the contents fly in the face of everything I stand for, because that is my duty as a librarian. We are among the frontline fighters against censorship. I haven't read those conservative books, and sure, the back covers tell me “everything I need to know.” But it's not my place to decide what complete strangers read, just as it is not the place of these serial book-challengers. As John said, we are under threat. I hide my employee badge when I go outside on my lunch break because I am afraid of the community I have pledged to serve. Please help us fight these battles. We are your libraries. Your voices matter. And I am filled with gratitude to John and his incredible staff for covering this ongoing issue and getting the word out there. Thank you, Mr. Olliver. (It has always been spelled with two Ls; your memory deceives you....)
The library has been such an important resource for me growing up and now I utilize their extended science databases when I do research. Thank you for the world of work you do for your community. So many people appreciate you.
The library has always been one institution I respect. It basically helped to shape who I am today because I had the right to read what I wanted to. I will fight to protect that institution. And I get your concern. I am a retired teacher. About 5 years before I retired, I asked my mom, “When did I (as a teacher) become the enemy?”
The library is pretty much the last place left in the universe where you are allowed to exist without generating profit. That's enough reason to keep them.
People want to defund them because they want to control the flow of information. Christianity is a death cult that worships a guy they claim was perfect. Anything that goes against their primitive narrative like biology, physics, literature, history, etc. needs to be removed in their eyes. The only difference between Christian Dominism and Sharia Law is that they just use a different holy book.
The comment section truly warms my librarian heart. I really feel appreciated by the numerous stories people have with libraries. Best wishes to the US-colleagues. Stay strong!
right they don’t wanna be under anyone’s control and yet are constantly asking for more control to be imposed over them lmao. who are they fighting when the ppl working the hardest against their own interest are themselves??
Sounds more like they are trying to decide what books anyone can read. To my understanding, it isn’t about moving books deemed inappropriate for children to another section, but to completely remove it from everyone.
I was raised by a crazy controlling and abusive conservative christian parent that refused to let me listen to non christian music or any consume any media including books(besides the Bible), trying to convince me I was going to hell if I read Harry Potter books or god forbid anything that taught me about my changing body. The Library was a safe haven for me. I would spend hours after school there just reading and reading because it was my only escape from my awful home life and I don’t know how I would’ve survived as a child without it. It was the only way I could learn anything about the real world. People need this access to information, it’s so so important. I wish people would take their personal/religious beliefs and keep it their damn selves.
My life was no,where as terrible as yours, but there were many, many times books kept me sane I am sorry that you must hate the BIBLE. It's a pretty good book
This is the main reason why people want to find reasons to cut funding to libraries. Like in the story John cited, they didn't cut funding as a warning, they cut funding because they knew it would ultimately doom the library. And one less library is one less place someone can be exposed to something other than the controlled world of the church.
@@mammawleeThe bible really isn't that great. The story is endlessly meandering, it's full of sexual things like god killing a man for pulling out of his widowed sister-in-law, references to donkey emissions, and incest, and it's completely inconsistent especially at the beginning where there are literally two creation myths that conflict with each other for when things were first created.
@@gljames24 the bible is also the source of progressive movements like the social gospel and the inspiration of leaders like martin luther king, desmond tutu, and franklin d. roosevelt. i understand why you said what you did, but i think you disagree more with the christians than christianity itself.
Yup my family wasn't religious, but they were helicopter parents who restricted my access to information of the outside world. The library was the only place they allowed me to visit where they did not mandate me to send updates on my wherabouts and activities every 30 minutes. I was able to access resources and community that were otherwise inaccessible to me. It was a wonderfully peaceful break from my violent home life. When I found myself homeless, the first place I went to kill time was the library.
I make a point to go to my library once a week. I am currently unemployed, and don’t have money for books. It has made me keep up my reading and makes me appreciate them being there. I saw a man with special needs and the librarians talked to him so caringly.
This whole argument about libraries just shows that conservative parents don't want to actually parent, they want the world to do it for them. It's so sad that they're going after public libraries and even making these false allegations.
When I was an under employed single mom to a young child, one of my joys was going to the library for a few hours to use the computer for free. I could study, read the news, and, of course, check out books to read together. It was so nice.
I also go to library about once a week. I like to check out the newest DVDs since I cut my cable & have never had Netflix, hulu, etc. While working as a Behavioral Therapist with kids on the Spectrum last year, I also noticed how well our young learners were treated by the staff. The library is my sanctuary and it has been since I was a girl😌
Notice how their rhetoric is always about "family" and rarely about "community". Libraries are some of the last true community spaces in America, and they provide education. It makes sense why the right is going after them.
I haven't finished the whole video yet, these items may still get a mention, but this isn't the first or even second time in my memory that librarians in the USA have been heroic. After 9/11, when the patriot act passed, the brand new Department of Homeland Security was going around to libraries demanding membership lists along with checkout histories, so they could cross reference them with books and materials they found concerning and make lists of people to investigate. Librarians all over the country refused to hand over records to the feds. Not every single one, but enough that it was a big deal. During Occupy Wall Street, librarians built a temporary library at the NYC encampment. Like, temporary structures with framing and tarps where books were shelved and made available to protesters. Librarians are absolute rock stars in my book (pun accidental)
@@brandonlm0125 You know I feel like the only way to stop, or at least to slow down, this idiotic movements is to join them banning books... and start with the bible. For every shocking quote that they spit out give them one from there. Bonus points: get them riled up them by reading from there before they realize what you're quoting.
I live in Florida and have been trying to collect as many of the banned books as possible to put in my yard's library box. We call it the Prohibition Library.
Statistically speaking, the main thing children & adolescents need to be protected from is *their parents*, and access to alternate sources of education is a big part of that.
The more I hear about these public library controversies, the more I get sad. Not just because of how LGBTQ people are having their work treated, but also because I am reminded how there are many Americans who don’t really subscribe to our nations values of freedom of speech/expression, as long as they aren’t personally affected.
Let’s be real, no one believes in freedom of speech. We probably agree that it’s not legal for me to issue a request or an order to kill somebody, and we probably agree that’s a good thing. So freedom of speech is a good starting point, just like freedom of any other action, but then you narrow and limit that freedom based on more important factors like the health and well-being of society. Cishet supremacists also have THAT part right, they’re just wrong about which freedoms to limit and which values are more important than freedom. I get you’re trying to be a good ally, but you don’t need a premise so weak as freedom of speech to do it from. There are already better reasons to be against right-wing censorship.
And they're doing it all by attacking people who are often volunteers or underpaid working at a public library that does so much public good. Every town I've lived in, getting a library card has been one of the first things I've done. I get constant reading material, and a lot of libraries offer a lot of other great public services on top of the usual books and literacy efforts. The one I live near now opens their doors so the homeless can come inside and get shelter from the weather, often with a free food truck outside for them to get a decent meal before starting their day. A lot of them offer services for free like 3D printing and internet access for people who can't afford them. It's sad to see places that do so much work that people can enjoy at no cost get attacked by ignorant people wrapped up in the latest faux controversy peddled by right wing media.
One thing John didn’t mention is the best way to support your library is to get a library card. You don’t even have to use it. Just having one gets the library more funding. The more library card that are given out the more funding they receive
I'm a public library worker and I'm soon finishing a master's program in Information Science: Thank you John and everyone that works on the show for this segment!
Congratulations, Adam! You will be the next generation to stand for the freedom to read. I promise it will be frustrating and rewarding, but never boring!
It's extra hilarious when you know that BL also stands for Boys Love, a genre of LGBTQ+ books, movies and TV shows that are about romantic relationships between men. If you google BL that's what shows up in the search. 😂
Librarian here: the answer to one parent, or even 10 parents, trying to ban a book they wouldn’t want their child to read is simple (though not easy to implement because people are idiots). “Don’t check out the book then. You can avoid it that easily. Oh and if you’re worried they’ll see it somewhere else because a friend checked it out? Not the library’s problem. The library is not your child’s parent.” In addition, the library does not exist to shelter people from information but to provide people with information. The library is neutral. The library is not a judge.
Parents aren't the ones behind the book bans, though they are instrument. Its largely a concerted effort from well funded religious groups looking to consolidate power within local and state governments. Even if there are plenty of movements not directly funded or organized by these groups, they are mostly just a single degree removed from them; having been spawned from their online disinformation campaigns. Its the same groups that are worming their way into school boards, city councils, and state legislature, as the barrier for entry to those seats of power are far lower than the federal government, where they have been losing sway to corporate interests with deeper pockets for decades. They still have their slimy tentacles in there too, but its harder to keep their minions in such public facing seats because they require people of unsound mind to work in their interest rather than those motivated purely by greed.
I find it absurd that people who normally chant for self-reliance and small government (i.e. Republicans) now need libraries to take care of their children because they themselves apparently never talk to their own offspring to provide necessary context to things kids might read.
Problem is, At their heart these people are fascists, So its not enough for them to control what their children see or how they practice their own religion, They have to impose it on everyone else too. They arent worried their child may find "gender queer", They are angry that it and queer people, anyone or anything different from themselves exists at all.
Christopher Titus had the best attack on book banning. "When you ban a book from the library, you're not telling your child what they can't read. You are telling my child what they can't read. "
What objection do you have to reshelving? Parents who want their kids to read these books can walk in to the library and walk out with the book in their kids hands without any extra difficulty. The benefit is parents who don't want their kids to read these books can safely let their kids roam the *children's section* and enjoy pulling books down to read without supervision.
@@searose6192 So we need to protect parents who prefer not to supervise their children in public? And we are going to call that freedom instead of parental burnout leading to potentially risky choices? I guess it is more about parents getting a short break than protecting those children then?
As a library worker and future Librarian: Media coverage like this is rare but incredibly important... thank you for your advocacy and thank you for giving a little bit of humor to this nightmare :) Support your local library!
@@ThatNorwegianBiker Job titles vary but typically, a ‘librarian’ holds a master’s degree. They are trained to handle most logistical and technological demands of maintaining a library system. Library workers vary quite a bit as well but we typically do customer service and physical tasks.
I love libraries and librarians are some of the best people. When I was a kid, there were times when things were bad at home and I was also being bullied at school. I just now flashed back to a time when, during lunch breaks, I would hide out in the library from the bullies. The librarian had me help organize the card catalog (oh, the 80s lol) ... I'm sure she was just giving me something to do so I would feel useful. Just a little side story but seriously, we must protect our libraries and librarians at all costs!!
Folks, if you are moved by this, PLEASE APPLY TO JOIN YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY BOARD. As a library worker for over 20 years, the power is often held by the library board. Libraries are passionate about creating space for community. Libraries remain a place for any person who wants to find information, community, and just be.
@@brokenrecord3523thank you for pointing out my error. You’re absolutely right. Library board trustees only need to watch for openings and apply. I was thinking of school boards to protect school libraries.
I’ve just moved from a very lucrative career working in software engineering to work at the local public library because I believe so strongly in libraries and I’m fortunate enough to be able to make this kind of move.
I did too - I left my law librarian position to become a public Children’s Librarian. I acquired a K-6 Teaching Credential & a Master in Education in Curriculum Development. Although very dedicated to providing early education enrichment, due to this censorship crisis I retired early, heartbreaking. 😢
Thank you both for this. I'm a teen and growing up, the library was one of my favorite places to be. I'm in college now, and I cannot even remotely afford to work for a nearby library. What you do is so important and I hope one day to be able to assist in a similar manner.
I’m 22 and autistic. I had no sexual education in school. There was no expectation on how my body worked, how other people’s bodies worked, how to cope with my emotions or other folks. I was left 100% in the dark. This is already awful for any kid but even worse for one with zero friends who struggles with understanding his own body, and has a hard time communicating. I was lucky enough to figure out how to sort through google and get what I needed. I found factual information because I found finding factual information extremely fun. Most 13 year olds are not cross referencing sources to make sure they’re not learning propaganda. I saw plenty of kids all the way from middle to high who only knew misconceptions or straight up lies like girls don’t feel sexual attraction, tampons make you loose your virginity, girls can hold their periods in, guys can’t feel any emotion of any kind towards other guys or they’re gay, the list goes on and on. This isn’t even considering the fact that restricting these books leave children more vulnerable to assault. These books teach kids what healthy and appropriate relationships are like. If you refuse to give kids access to these books, you are throwing them to ACTUAL predators. These fools blame librarians as if they aren’t teaching their kids that anything about their body is secret and whatever an adult their parents like is the law. They’re asking for their kids to be assaulted.
Good on you mate. Hate to tell you and you probably know, the cruelty is the pount. Republicans, religious leaders, poluce offocers stationed in schools want to throw those kids to predators and are found at an unusually high rate compared to other professions to be predators.
I didn't know what menstruation was until I started when I was 13. My parent threw a belt and pad at me. I didn't know how to use it, and do not remember who showed me.
if drivers education was taught like sex education, it would be a 3 day class on how to take the bus. and 2 days would be "how to safely put on a seatbelt" even though public transit dont have seatbelts.
My mom is a library manager, and I have just felt sympathy for her during this whole episode 😢 it's so much more important than people realize, it's a safe place for people looking to escape abuse, it's an internet provider for those in need, and it helps people with more than just books. We live in Oklahoma and because I'm in school we rely entirely on her income right now so the attack on libraries and librarians could literally ruin us both.
It really seems like these folks just don't use libraries. Ask any frequent patron who looks young enough to "know computers" and I bet they have a story about an elderly person asking for help printing important forms, submitting an application online, or whatever else. "It's all on the internet" as an argument against libraries really is ridiculous.
When I was a kid, my parents let me check out any books I wanted from the library, but they were also interested in what I was reading. They asked me about the books I was reading and what I thought of them. They also told me about books they were reading and what they liked about them. Basically, my family just really liked books and talked about them a lot. When you want to know what's going on in someone's life and in their head, talking is the main way you find out.
yes but then they'd actually have to spend time with their children and listen when they talk, instead of treating them like handbags that they take to church so they can convince themselves they'll spend eternity in paradise no matter how shitty they are on earth.
The problem is that this is too hard for some people. They just want to ban anything they think is bad and have someone else do that. Of course, if someone else then decides to ban something these parents think is good - like, say, the Bible for too much sex and violence - then they get outraged.
I guess what those parents who want to ban books are really afraid of, is parenting, which comes with having your ideas challenged by your child. I read Stephen King horror novels at age 12. I didn't get them from the library, but I had a lot of older siblings and there were always all manner of books lying around the house. My parents (lifelong subscribers to The Best of Reader's Digest, which got me into reading) worried about my choice of literature, but instead of asking me about it, they asked my school teachers. One of them, the school librarian iirc, simply said: "Trust your child's judgment. If it's not suited for him, he'll put it down" and that was that. Later I heard the same take from Mitch Hedberg: "any book is a children's book if a child can read". In conclusion (I knew there was a point to this): if people can believe "guns don't kill people", why can't those same people believe "books don't morally corrupt children"? (I turned out kind of allright btw. Just can't be bothered to touch another King novel with a ten foot pole).
@@Techydad - I don't think these people necessarily are doing all this banning because they actually think these items are evil. I think it is simply their joy to lord it over others. I'm guessing many of them don't even avail themselves of the library at all. I mean, if you haven't read the book yourself, how am I going to take you at your word that it's evil?
I am an American living and working in China. My first year here, the history teachers in our school taught out of a government approved textbook. That is, a Western textbook that, on a few pages, censors had blacked out certain unacceptable sentences (by hand, no less!). By my third year, foreigners weren't allowed to teach history or literature at all, and the books we used up to that point were outright banned. It never ceases to frustrate me that the things that I like least about China are usually the same things I like least about America.
Agreed, it never ceases to amaze me how the "free-est people on earth" can't comprehend the simplest consequences of their actions, not realizing this kind of backwater ass thinking was the exact principles our country was founded against. Every day I'm saddened by how these ignorant folks try to ruin what my family has fought for. The people of this country need mental help and education desperately; otherwise, this kind of rhetoric will only get worse. Look at how our house speaker talks right now and tell me if our representatives are backing a secular nation fucking disgraces.
It's wild how Repubs accuse Dems of being "communist" and "fascist" while they literally follow the communist/fascist playbook of banning any freedoms they don't like.
@@crazygamerbpNot an american but i would say most of these people know the consequences but they actually want a christian country. They dont want a secular state. The banning of lgbtq books is just the first step. If they could they would already ban islamic or secular books too but they would lose support for the banning of lgbtq books. Same with abortions first dont say you want it banned then give it to the states and later ban it nationwide.
@@crazygamerbp I wholeheartedly agree. They’re destroying what Americans have spent so long trying to fight for and protect. It’s sickening. Taking away things they don’t agree with for everyone, as if we should all have the same beliefs and mindset is outright wrong.
Both countries are basically the same. China's "capitalism" also includes caveats like the government deciding who can and cannot own social media. Both places the rights of an individual against the State is basically laughed out of the Supreme Court. Exactly how do Americans think they're different from China?
I love libraries! Some of my favorite memories are taking my children to our local library when they were small. I was unemployed for several years during the great recession. It was our go to. Story time. Music performances. Arts and crafts. Legos. Blocks. Puzzles. I came so often all the librarians knew me and my kids by name…even years later when I visited after I moved away. It was my Cheers. To all the librarians…thank you for all you do.
A family member of mine works in a public library as a volunteer. She is retired, nearly 80 and lives alone after her husband died. The library gives her a safe place to interact with other people and keeps her busy. She actually helps organize a bunch of free social events, lectures and classes for people of all ages. Many of the visitors to the library during the day are other seniors or people who live alone, the library is their only source of social interaction. Forcing libraries to shut down because you object to some books that may or may not be in that library deprives these people of an important part of their lives. Bottom line, if you don't like a book, don't read it. No one is forcing you or your child to read it.
Even if the books are threatened for removal, isn't there a constitutional challenge to the local court that could issue a stay until they hear the case?
@@leigel3 Fifty years ago the church was the community center. But things change and life goes on. The libraries where my children grew up with were and have become safe community centers for youth and teens. Parents - teach your children respect and they will not be intimidated or disrespectful of other people's lives. Those books you want to have removed can be a source of understanding, and yes, respect for what is different but very real. And for heaven's sake, if you don't want your children in the adult section, that is YOUR business to address.
Freedom is jeopardized by those who believe their morality is fundamentally threatened by your Liberty. "Originalists" are charlatans for the Religious Right.
I am the Director/Librarian of a small gem of a library in the Adirondacks. The Executive Director of our library system, which has 54 libraries, keeps us informed about all the things you spoke of and helps libraries in our system deal with these very situations. Keeping our policies up to date, for these kinds of challenges is extremely important. As you said, John, libraries are needed now more than ever and we need communities and everyone to help support libraries. Thanks, John ❤
Even if the books are threatened for removal, isn't there a constitutional challenge to the local court that could issue a stay until they hear the case?
I'm so grateful my mom always said "read whatever you want and just come see me if you have any questions about what you've read." I grew up with an open mind. I made my own decisions when a topic was "too much" for me for whatever reason (my "icky" books are the HORROR genre - no one discussed taking them off the shelf!). Thanks for all you do John.
Exactly! This is such a bizarre cultural attitude - anything to do with sex is somehow considered bad and wrong, but horrific violence is somehow fine by comparison? I'd think a boob would be less traumatizing than the mutilated animals or literal undead you might find in horror books. It's more important to teach kids responsible behavior than to control their lives for them. As pointed out in the video, most of these kids probably have access to the internet and all the nastiness that can be found there, or are watching violent movies or playing violent video games - reopening the age-old discussion of, just because we're exposed to an idea, doesn't mean we'll be directly influenced to imitate that. The "Dungeons and Dragons is encouraging satanism" of decades ago has today become "books on the struggles of puberty or queer themes will groom my child and/or make them gay". Also - what's up with banning books on farting or that include butts? Nothing about those is inherently sexual. If farting books are bad influences, what about farting parents? A mouth can be involved in sexual acts, but we're not censoring books and movies that include images of mouths or the actions of eating or speaking. Looking back, I loved the Captain Underpants books as a little kid, I bet they would have liked to ban those in a heartbeat.
@@hannahg.8572 excellent points. i can say the older adults in my family don't appreciate the captain underpants books, as well. and yep, i read them as a kid, too. as for the bizarre cultrual attitude, it's not entirely bizarre. as pointed-out, this is primarily the conservatives. namely, the christian conservatives. many of whom have openly and proudly accepted the label "christian nationalist". these types are all about oppression. and the entire faith is no stranger to this. as an example, the crusades. they also are trying to deny the very existence of society/religion before their own or even that the atrocities carried-out in the name of "god" ever happened. many of my own family are conservative, i was being raised that way. i'm 'supposed' to be christian, but there are a few reasons i'm actually agnostic. i know how the mentality works. while i flipped a 180 to it, there's still parts deeply seated in my mind that i have to fight-off. hate and hyprocrisy. that's all it is. now, not all christians or conservatives are like this. even my family isn't near as bad as some of these others. but it's sure getting hard to not blanket label them "evil" or "ignorant", because try as you might, reason and appealing to their humanity typically doesn't work. i know this from experience. the farting and butts is probably a combination of what happens when you try to apply blanket censorship, and yes, there genuinely are parents who'd rather the content not be accessible to kids. [or anyone] also : libraries are just the tip of the iceburg. their platform has a name, and it was symbolized by a certain red-colored flag. they do need to be stopped. america by the day is being converted into a f-scist autocracy. pretty clear what the end goal is... and as for the blonde woman who was just so 'offended' by that 'obscene' book : i point my finger and shout, "SNOWFLAKE!". >:D welp, wonder if this comment will get shadow-banned.... and oh, on violent content versus adult content: if you haven't, watch "This Film Is Not Yet Rated", the documentary about the MPA[A]'s rating board and standards [rather, lack thereof] for how content is rated. glorifying violence and war while decrying s- is very much an agenda. fair warning, while censored, a lot of s- content is depicted as various directors/producers/etc... go into details about how that content is rated by a double-standard. the absurdity of how the ratings board functions is almost comedic! my favorite part was when the appeals board member identities were exposed. the trailer is great, too :P
We got a library card when my son was born and in 6 years we have saved $3800 by checking out books! We were reading Harry Potter when he was 4/5 and our librarian recommended we stop at book 3. She knew he was younger and explained to both of us that book 5 is in the teens section. She then introduced him to a series called Dragon Masters that were more catered to his age. He became obsessed with the series and forgot about wanting to read Harry Potter. We love our library and our very knowledgeable librarian.
I'm so happy to see libraires lending out random items. Borrowing a nice telescope or fishing pole sparks interest can be a pivotal moment for kids who don't have access to them.
I first started to listen to music albums in a library - hugely impacted me, because I sometimes randomly selected one and started to listen. Don't think I would have discovered so much good music another way. Granted now there are other possibilities - but having the option of different mediums is always great. They did offer DVDs, Graphic Novels, Newspapers and Magazines, Boardgames and Travel Maps... But even only having books are important - I started to read at 12 and the library was such a huge mystery and treasure trove off wisdom and adventure to me.
But what if the child uses that telescope to spy through the neighbour's bedroom window?!?! For innocence's sake, we must ban all magnifying devices! PLEASE, WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!!!!!!!!!
In b4 Moms for Liberty starts calling for Farenheit 451 to be banned from public libraries, on the basis that its drug-related, death-related, and tonally dark content is obscene and must be kept out of reach of children at all costs.
My lil community, in rural Mississippi, had a one room library with three computers. We finally got wifi there in the 2010s, but I love that place. I wrote many papers there, and the life it gave led me to my PhD.
When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I was obsessed with the American Girl books, and I wanted to read the new one, Meet Addy, which was about a girl who escapes slavery during the 1860s. My mom was concerned that the topic might be a little too intense for me, so.... She read the book herself and decided that it was okay for me to read. It got the point across that slavery was horrific without being graphic about it. We also discussed the book together. Because that is how you parent your children. You have to be involved and do the work.
"Because that is how you parent your children. You have to be involved and do the work" - Ack! Be involved in my child's life? Why do you think I bought them that smartphone, tablet, and TV? You're obviously just trying to promote your communist, socialist, Marxist agenda! Everybody knows it is not my responsibility to raise my child. That's your responsibility, and the school's responsibility, and the library's, and the TV's, and the Internet's. Why else do you think we have the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child"? It's because it's the village's job, its obligation, its responsibility -- not mine -- to raise my child. (in case it wasn't obvious, that was said with a heavy dose of sarcasm)
For those confused about the seed library: speaking for my library, they aren’t checked out and it’s not expected that they get returned. It’s just called that because it’s in a library and there’s a variety that can be browsed and taken for free. Seeds can also be donated by patrons. It’s meant to encourage gardening and gardening can be a communal activity which, as a public service for the community, we like to promote.
@@elhior23 I was confused about how someone can "check out" something that isn't reusable like seeds are. I guessed that the phrasing of "checked out" was incorrect, but I didn't know for sure
It's not the librarian's job to monitor your children. Thank you to the keepers of knowledge, who dedicate their careers to making knowledge available to all.
Yeah you said it and with times now with the inflation, wars, climate change and well really a whole lot of bad news there's a lot of those out there. Like some groups that I can tell that are like that is PTC (Parents Television Council), Karens and 1 Million Moms among who knows what others and also if you don't know may want to give them a Google and RUclips as well.
When I was a kid I was a very high-level reader. In early middle school I had finished every book in the YA area that interested me and naturally started branching out into the adult books. My parents honestly were terrible at helping me find books because they were too focused on “reading level” and ignored “interest level.” My little brother and I were also regularly in the library unattended. The natural result of this was that I checked out and read an erotica book. Like the point of this book was the erotica. I was so young and sheltered I didn’t even know what sex was. Do you know what happened? I went to the librarian on my next visit and asked why these icky books were here. I was worried about my little brother, who was also an advanced reader. The librarian explained that the library didn’t believe in censorship, but agreed that me and my brother should probably avoid those books. She helped me find us book lists and explained that “romance” books shelved in the adult area are meant for adults. I was in no way harmed by this, in fact I learned a lot about media literacy that I hadn’t been taught in my sheltered upbringing. Basically I didn’t HAVE to be prevented from accessing books that weren’t appropriate for me. When I encountered it I knew it wasn’t for me and was happy to have adults point me towards the books that I wanted to read. My parents were the ones inadvertently pushing me towards inappropriate material. Librarians were the ones who knew that my “college level reading ability” didn’t mean I was ready for 1984. It just meant I could decipher the words in it.
I also started reading adult books before puberty and checked out some really wild ones from the library unknowingly. I remember Jaws being a surprisingly horny book.
Keep in mind your reading appreciation is unusual. Many less intelligent kids, teens rarely go to a library. This book removal by conservatives is Communist
I love your memories of those library visits and how helpful librarians are. I remember those days when something titillating seemed so naughty. 😂 ps my cat’s name is Boyo ~
I was also a high level reader and read just about everything I could get my hands on. I read a lot of books with sex scenes that made me have to go find the books that could explain what all was going on. (I had some vague idea of sex but not all the details.) This was pre-internet and the encyclopedias were a gold mine for someone like me. I surely got into stuff that was a bit over my head, but it sure taught me a lot about how humans can behave. My parents weren't inattentive, just didn't believe I was reading anything "wild" because I was mostly into history stuff. Surprise! I turned out to be a reasonable human being.
And in this case: The sad result of boring people, who need to find som sort of identity by lying as they use their god or kids as a false excuse to assert said power. "You're a boring excuse for a person, Susan - STFU!" is the reasonable response.
Thanks for pointing out that most of the book banners have never actually read the books. When I bring this up people always ask why they should have to read a whole book when parts of it are objectionable. People don't understand why context matters. I also work in public libraries. Thanks so much for covering this issue!
I was going through the comments wondering if and when I would see any about how few book banners actually READ the book they are trying to ban! Thank you!
My dad was a single dad, trying to raise three little girls in the 70s. I was so thankful for libraries when I hit age 11, 12.....I found all I needed to explain the embarrassing parts of life without having to put my exhausted father through the horror of having to explain it all to me. I was also able to show my younger sisters when their time came to go through the changes. A lot of the books that helped me so much are probably on these banning lists. Very sad that kids don't get to learn about their own bodies in privacy with this wing of the Christian Taliban policing everything.
Ive never understood why people find religious moral objections a justifycation for not letting someone know how their own body works. i dont care what your religious book of choice has to say about it thats a violation of not only the kids trust but their fundamental right to know what THEIR OWN BODY DOES. The number of women i know who woke up in a pool of blood and thought they where genuinely dieing, or made a panicked sprint from a school bathroom stall to the nurse on the verge of tears thinking it was a medical emergency is actually shocking, like you presume their mothers had similarly horrific experiences, wouldent you want to not pass that down
As somebody who works in a library, conservatism has forver lost me. There will be no point in my life where I believe that banning books that offend their extremely delicate sensibilites is valid.
And these same Christian fundamentalists will defend Trump for being a perverted adulterer who lusts after his own daughter, because these are kingly things to do.
These kind of people are simply too dumb to understand anything that isn't their narrow world view. The amount of damage that lead poisoning has done to older generations is baffling.
Currently, I work at a library, and we're having a tough time right now. We are trying to go for a tax levy for the first time in 5 years, just to keep our jobs and the library running. We have cut literally everything we can while still providing programs (which the employees fund out of pocket because we want the programs to be great!), and services, but we'll have to cut staffing to even possibly stay open (we only have 3 employees total). We're worried because some have been very vocally against the existence of the library at all, let alone the inclusiveness of our collection. I wish they understood how many people depended on our services and how freaking hard we work out of pure passion for the library and our community. The library is so much more than just books!!! Sorry for the little off-topic rant, just a very tired and worried library clerk. Much love, and keep on reading!
I’m an assistant librarian (currently working towards my degree), and one instance that stands out to me was when the mother of a seventh grade girl was asking specifically for “older realistic fiction”. They had already selected “Bridge to Terabithia”, which y’know, awesome, it’s a classic! When they asked my help finding more, I asked if the daughter had read any Judy Blume yet. Holy shit it was like I opened the gates of hell. Mom immediately whips out her phone & pulls up Common Sense Media (a site our own library site provides a link to in the parent’s resources btw) and tells me how “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” has “highly sexual content” and “kids don’t need to be exposed to that”. Ok, two things: -You have a daughter in 7th grade. That’s the exact demographic whose experiences that book was meant to speak to. Is your plan to not let her know anything about her own body until it happens? Way to recreate plot points from “Carrie”, mom. -You already chose “Bridge To Terabithia”. The message your sending to your daughter is that you aren’t bothered by the concept of a girl her age falling into a creek, snapping her neck & drowning to death, but you ARE bothered by the concept of a girl her age getting her period and having questions about what’s happening to her own body.
One of my top 10 picks is the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Anti-intellectualism in American Life by Richard Hofstadter. Sixty years and still relevant, now more than ever. "Never associate with idiots on their own level, because, being an intelligent man, you'll try to deal with them on their level--and on their level they'll beat you every time." - Yul Brynner quoting Jean Cocteau
My younger daughter absolutely hated "Bridge to Terabinthia" when it was required reading in her 7th grade class in the mid-to-late 1990s. "It's the most infuriating book, ever, Mom. It's so stupid." I don't remember her reaction to reading Judy Blume (if she ever did), but "Bridge to Terabinthia" comes up in conversation often nearly 30 years later and always with a visceral hatred for the story.
As a retired supervising librarian, I would suggest that the girl's parent was monitoring her child's reading. Judy Blume obviously was not the author for this parent and maybe her child. Seeing the parent had already selected a title she thought was okay you might have done a reader's advisor type interview. Success in your career.
Regarding your last point, this has been obviously so since at least the 80s, where pop culture movies glorified and mainstreamed conflict (guns, explosions, death), but it was the presence of "dirty language" or nudity which got people riled up (and bumped a movie's MPAA rating higher). Horrific brutality and death? No problem. An exposed titty or someone says "Fuck"? OMG, won't someone think of the children!
Libraries are some of our oldest public institutions. They're so important that Uncle Sam recognized their need to exist before he recognized the need for health care regardless of ability to pay. These people who are trying to ban books are misguided at best and actively malignant at worst.
Some books don’t belong in libraries. If they talk about gay sex and how to have sex, yeah that isn’t educational. That’s why we have teachers and parents. Pretty soon porn magazines will be looked at the same way.
As a librarian I'm so glad John Oliver is talking about the attack and awful things we are facing. Please all you can, support your libraries! School, public, special, academic! Please support them all!!
That's good getting it out there and also besides those groups mentioned in this there are others as well. 2 Example of this are groups like 1 Million Moms and PTC (Parents Television Council) among who knows what other nuts are out there.
@@Fralexion it is tbh. Disgust is a reflex meant to keep us alive and disgust at a society level keeps society's wost impulses in check. We live in a society, not a group of hyper individualists who can each do their own thing without consequences for everyone else.
As a librarian, my boss once gave me the rule "everyone should be able to find one book in the library that offends them". Then there was a politician in the local government (he wasn't even a local) who called us liberals for a man coming to speak to one of the local libraries who later became a Democrat candidate for governor. That guy spoke for free, but the local government person (who I call the potato) still used it as an excuse to cut funding as much as possible. He finally got the boot, and the South Central Wisconsin library system is finally recovering.
@@AbsentWithoutLeaving Only if it gets a lot of press. The simplest way to ban a book or idea is just quietly don't order it. Libraries have limited space. This means there are often big gaps in the collection. For example, few books on Islam but shelves of Christian content. There will be little fantasy but a ton of romance and thrillers. If these conservative towns had half a brain they would just quietly not order things and wait for patrons to push for it. In most small towns you would be able to limit the YA content very easily just by point at your limited shelf space and look at all these other books teens are checking out every week with long hold lists.
This is why I have a MLIS and believe passionately in the role of libraries, but could never work in a public library. Between the fact that they're being asked to serve as de facto social workers and the right wing nut jobs, I couldn't handle it.
Yeah, that's the problem you'll get when you maintain the best educational system in the world. A system that produces leaders by the thousands. We, the rest of the world, are sooo jealous. You lucky, lucky bastards!
Thank you, John and your team, for standing up for libraries and against these dummies trying to restrict their ability to do their jobs. Love, the Berainsten Bares.
As someone who has worked in libraries for years, I really appreciate this video and this sentiment. Libraries are criminally overlooked in their communities most of the time and they really enhance everyone's quality of life. Funding and supporting libraries is just about the easiest decision anyone could make. ❤
My son and I lived in my car for 2 years. One of the first things we did was get library cards. We couldn’t have made it without the resources at the time… We used their computers and printer to make his resumé. Charged our phones, used their wifi to stay in touch with his attorney and our family and friends. We read more during those 2 years than over the previous decade. We made the most of that dreadful time.
I'm from Hernando crazy in Florida and our local senator sent some crazy book stuff. After reading what he claimed 6 year old kid were reading. I called and asked how many 6 year old kids were reading at that comprehension level and why did they not have awards for their elevated reading level and did they use sexy books to teach that reading level then I volunteered for his opponent
i’m from sarasota county and my mom is in education constantly dealing with these sorts. i’d really like to thank you for standing up for people like me, it means a lot.
I like how you randomly put a period in the middle of the second sentence, and then never bothered with punctuation again for the next 5 sentences. Maybe the 6 year old could teach you a thing or two!
@@B3Band They probably couldn't - children don't normally learn proper punctuation until they're at least seven years old. I would bet they could teach you a thing or two about kindness, though!
As someone who works in a library, I can honestly say that I appreciate your deep dive, your support, and you public outcry on the BS we're going through.
As a volunteer at my local library I can honestly say the biggest problem is lack of funding and a lack of staffing. This entire video proves that we are divided more along class lines than any other divide. Wealthy libraries are worried about political agendas. I'm worried about getting patrons in the door, having enough staff to assist them, and enough funding to get a children's program going. I work a 40 hour a week job. Then I volunteer anywhere from 4-8 hours a week. I'm a board member. I run the book club. I offer board game night. We NEED volunteers.
Says the person who probably still believes that ivermectin is only used as a horse dewormer. Look right AND left before crossing the street- not just right.
Librarian here: if your kids are looking at books with content you are uncomfortable with, it's probably time to BE A PARENT. Have a chat, ask why they were drawn to the book or movie or whatever, exercise your rights and privileges as a parent to understand and guide your child's thought processes. If you don't want to do that, that's on YOU. Edit to add: If you're seeing "sexual content" where there is none, that says more about you than the content itself. Not every picture of a foot is fetish material, and not every naked person is pornographic.
how about the actual hate speech they preach towards: non-whites, non-christians, [sometimes] jews, non-conservatives, non-straights, etc.... that's even better. if there's anything the kids don't need to be exposed to for their entire lives is their "strong opinion" about how basically some people aren't people.
About a third of US households have one or more guns. Most of those have only one. A few have collections of antiques. And then there are some gun nuts with dozens.
I am so grateful that the libraries and me didn't remove any lgbtq+ books when I was a teenager. Those books were the safest way I had to better understand myself and not feel like such a freak for being gay. Any teen who is struggling with understanding themselves need to have these kinds of books available so they can start to find the courage needed to live a life different from others around them.
Libraries are amazing community resource. On top of the access to books, my local library provides computers (and Wi-Fi) to those who may not have it at home, summer camp programs for kids and teens, knitting workshops for seniors and language classes for ESL learners. I live in Canada and it's unbelievable to watch the censorship happening in the US and the threat that libraries are under :(
Shout out to librarians and public libraries! I was a library kid and it was a great place to learn and explore. My kids are library kids, too. I’m a public school science teacher so I can feel some of your pain. Why can’t people just tell THEIR kids what not to read?! Stop censoring stuff for others! And they call themselves the party of free speech.
Exactly. Libraries are for everyone. As adults, you are expected to exercise due diligence over your own personal selections, and those of your minor children.
John Oliver, thank you so much for covering this. If you aren't following the news closely, you have no idea how bad it is. I thought my home county was immune to this nonsense, but recently the board of supervisors passed an ordinance that establishes a "a parent committee" (there is actually no specific requirement that they have to be parents) hand picked by the board to decide what books are allowed to be in the children's section. Many of the examples that the author of the bill cited as "inappropriate" were LGBTQ and sex ed books like "Let's Talk About It." "Let's Talk About It" has been in print for decades. My own father read it to my brother and I when he decided we were old enough to learn how babies are made. It's really disturbing how far we are regressing as a society.
my state is one of the ones where this bs is prevalant. and even this video taught me something about it that i somehow missed. ...and really don't like...
My parents didn't want me reading certain things my friends were allowed to read. You know how they dealt with it? By monitoring what I checked out instead of trying to get it banned. I'm now a librarian and refuse to censor or limit what any person can check out. Its my job to give the information asked for and not assume what someone wants it for or limit it because of their age.
I was “ raised by wolves “, my local library in South Sacramento CA. was my favorite place on earth. I got to escape the insanity in my home, read of others and how they lived in this big world, much different from myself, but sometimes the same. This let the 7 yr old me know I wasn’t alone, and growing up, I could go anywhere (else). And I did. Thank god for libraries.
Reminds me of the Caitlan Moran quote: "Keep the libraries, they are like a cross between a life raft and a cathedral in our societies. Every time one closes we all become poorer for it."
That's the library for you: recourse from chaos. Sanity at the front, mayhem in the back. Why else do you think we label everything and give it its own place?
i work in a library and a woman i know was telling me about how she'd engaged in library censorship. it was just shocking. i was like you just asked me if i liked my job, to which i said yes, and then began to tell me that you stole a book because you didn't like the content of it. what?? why would you tell me of all people that? just totally insane
I guess she didn't know that when a book goes missing, the library simply replaces it, so in the long run, she just ended up making sure the author got extra royalties, lol. Kinda makes you wonder what she did with that book, though. Think it's now in her personal (hidden) collection?
We had a patron who wanted to check out but had two lost books on her account. She said she was keeping them because they were porn. My coworker told her that if she wanted to check out she’d have to bring them back or pay for them and she got all huffy and said she’d just bring them back. Idk if she ever did but at least she won’t be able to check out anymore until then 🤷🏽♀️
@@meggsntoast adults in 2024: I can't afford a house because of student loans! Adults in 2044: I can't afford a house because of the late fees on those books I never returned to the library!
South Dakota's governor confessed to the world that she shot her dog on purpose, so I'm not sure this confession would surprise me. People are real dumb.
There is an added layer that wasnt mentioned here: librarians and other library staff are not paid a living wage so having the threat of prosecution or job loss for doing the job is extra felt. I am a former librarian (with the masters degree and 10 years of experience) and legit one could not live on the wage let alone save any money for emergencies. A lot of folks who loved helping their community through being a librarian have had to change careers between not making enough money to rent a one bedroom apartment and the stress of the job which usually also requires nights, weekends and dealing with being threatened with physical harm and cleaning up bodily fluids regularly. I was in charge of weeding for my branch though so I did get to see some interesting books! Like how SO many romance books had water damage (beach/bath reads) and also how political commentaries from the early 00s do NOT hold up when it comes to how they refer to other people.
I worked in a library once. A lot of those older patrons were checking out westerns and romance novels. These book bans would have a much bigger impact on older people trying to read their romance novels than it would on kids.
@@user-cp9yo4jk9b The old folks checking out romance novels at a public library are not the demographic leading the charge against books. They're lonely and seeking socialization thru fantasy and a thirds space like the library. You know damn well an ultra conservative elderly person wouldn't be caught dead openly checking out a saucy romance novel. They buy that shit on their kindle, then yell at the young people for being sluts for reading the same thing in print.
When I first arrived in the US in 1999, the local Public Library in Brooklyn (near Ft. Hamilton St.) helped me get my first job in a startup in Southern California. I used the library's computer to write my first resume and send it over. LIBRARIES must be kept free!
A person was talking about how libraries are essentially a thing of the past and I had to explain the amzing feat of the library system and how we should fight to expand it. Its the most amazing resource that we get as americans. We can't lose it.
so in this glorious future of his that doesn't need libraries, I'm assuming no one is also homeless or poor and in need of free learning resources, internet access, safety... Right?
The most common talking point I hear is that it's a waste of tax dollars because "everything is on the internet now." The overwhelming majority of books have never been digitized and do not exist on the internet in any form. The same is true of music, movies, and every other kind of media or art.
Just got around to watching this video, but I am 21 and I was raised in a non-Christian but still fairly Conservative Asian family. I wasn't allowed to read any books other than ones at home, let alone go anywhere alone except school until I graduated. I missed out on so many social cues, interactions, and potential relationships because I felt uneducated and inadequate. Of course I could read from my school library but it was nailed in me to respect my parent's wishes so I never really tried to. Isolation is not an option for teens, from personal experience, I can tell you that sexual curiousity or simply curiousity about what we get told but is never explained never goes away, it just gets repressed or channeled through rebellious behavior. Not knowing means feeling isolated from the ingroup that's laughing at crass jokes and making questionable remarks. It means being mocked when asking questions that seem hard to you but obvious for others. Teens are vicious or at least they were a couple years ago for my experience. There were many times when these experiences made my self esteem shrink but I was forced to put on a bravado for my parents or people they would invite over. Now that I am allowed more independence and see what I've been missing, there are still times where I wonder how much happier and well informed I could have been about the world and other people's desires and experiences if only I had the ability to learn without barriers. Of course it makes sense to stop a child from consuming porn or extremely violent material, but as we get older its not as if our adult preferences and experiences suddenly snap into reality when we become 18! There needs to a soft introduction to adult topics because frankly being an adult is hard and if you only let your child learn about adult experiences after they become an adult (18+) they've already missed out on relationships and social experiences that seem to formative for a child's adjustment into adulthood around 18. Treat your child as a being with their own thoughts and opinions and foster their curiosity through meaningful answers. Just because you're opposed to a certain line of reasoning doesn't mean it will come obviously to your kids, so explain your thought process and respond to your child sincerely and hopefully in doing so you may find flaws in your beliefs, if not, then learn to tolerate and teach to tolerate as that is a skill that seems to be dissappearing in the modern world very very rapidly. That or risk having a socially inept child who transitions into actual adulthood in their early to mid 20s and lives life with an inherent lack of experience compared to their peers. Not to mention the pent up frustration, sadness, or resentment that child may hold for not being given a chance to engage with their peers in a meaningful way. (i.e what I still feel like sometimes).
What's wild to me is that conservatives call us fascists for not letting them be mean to gay people, yet completely justify stuff like these book bans.
@formalbug5716 while also doing demonstrations in nazi symbols and screaming about cleansing. Because they hate books so they do not know the symbols they wear or the words they say. The TV fox just told them to and not question.
@@formalbug5716 you are though. funny how your hate speech laws are back firing when it comes to criticizing Israel. in your country being anti zionist is literally antisemtic. Got to love the irony
As an American who even generally knows what happened in Germany, it all seems like it's happening all over again. This is how it all started. History is repeating itself. And we wonder why the politicians that support this kind of shit have followers wearing Nazi apparel 😞. Just like the saying, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it
I'm not saying it's ironic but it appears conservatives who hate being called stupid, try consistently to take down every place where people can educate themselves.
That is intentional. Republicans have been killing our education system for decades. All while making their voters think it is good. All because they know educated voters don't vote republican.
It's easier to keep people thinking what u want them to think, when there is no opposing opinion. A certain guy, with a weird mustache knew darn well what could happen, in that case... But Charlie Chaplin was a darn smart man, so he warned the society about that other guy...
You know that the world's knowledge isn't held in limited books at limited places right? They served their purpose and have been replaced by Kindle, audibl and chromebooks.
Fantastic yet terrifying episode! Terrifying that our Libraries are under attack. I worked in a Library in 2001 - 2002, and loved the job so much! The people who worked there were mostly academics, former teachers, or simply people who loved books. The public loved the Library. This attack on libraries and the slander, is just insane to me. On another note, Loved the Berenstain Bears jokes!!! Thank you for another wonderful show and for the wake up call.
Gary the Goose and his gas on the loose is actually a really great book about self-esteem, friendship, etiquette, and problem solving. He has bad gas, it causes him to nearly become a social outcast because it’s constant, and his friends teach him when and how to fart so that it won’t embarrass him or cause friends to avid you. It is also hilarious and gets kids excited to read.
My Mom was awesome. When I was 10yrs old she came into my room, told me the book she was holding had been banned from the high school library. She and tossed me a copy of "Catcher in the Rye" and told me to read it.
Having gotten part-way through thst one I'm gonna say the ban wasn't a bad idea. Boring af. Maybe emo was just bigger when I was in HS. Had a release valve.
@ZMB-on5ub i think the point here is that books can be banned for all sorts of reasons. Banning that one was a good idea because boring af. The suicide at the end just made it kind of difficult to follow. With america's robust mental healthcare system that sort of complex reasoning is no longer necessary.
I read Catcher in the Rye willingly as a teenager and I'm going to have to chime in that it was one of the most boring reads I've ever experienced. Nevertheless, I will fight for its right to exist.
A German philosopher, Henrich Heinz, stated ""where they burn books, there eventually they burn people." He wrote this in early 1900's. Edit: it was 1821. The same thing is now happening in the US.
Quick correction: The quote was from Heinrich Heine’s 1821 novel Almansor. However, the quote is often associated with 1900s Germany for obvious reasons.
John Oliver deserves some kind of medal for the content and delivery of each show, along with all who work on this show. Can we get more John Oliver endorsed merch, a new stamp for the cause perhaps, a John Oliver library with the fired librarian head staff. I suddenly can't stop thinking about how fun a trip to Cabo would be with John, ao I can listen to him speak Spanish. And the opposing white man with the moustache at the meeting needs to be found and interviewed because hes just awesome. Thank you LWT always good content.
One of the books showed in this piece, Guy Stuff, was illustrated by my brother. He's a very successful children's illustrator for Chronicle Books; he did it because he respected the author, and knew the subject would be handled delicately. I bought it years ago for my son, and you know what? He's kind of embarrassed to read it because it's his favorite uncle, but it also means that we have a casual way to open the conversations when we have them. An uncomfortable book doesn't need to be banned, sometimes it needs to be read and talked about.
Indeed. Plus, kids NEED these books. Parents don't always do their jobs. I went to school with a girl whose mother told her that if a boy touches a girl on the stomach while she's wearing a bathing suit, she will get pregnant. She was 15 at the time, I think, and believed her mother wholeheartedly.
@@user-vp4qq4it7i Also even with good parents sometimes kids and teens are just shy with these kinds of questions, its good to have a place they know they can get answers without the wild speculation that comes from asking the internet
As a public librarian, all I can say is, Thank you. I’ve been hoping for you to cover this topic for quite a while, and we need all the support we can get.
Libraries are one of the last spaces we can hang out without expectation of buying anything. Libraries are a treasure.
I can't tell you how many times I pull my wallet out as my daughter walks up to the counter with a bunch of books and movies in her hand... We go all the time and I still forget that I don't have to pay when we leave. Even when I get a bunch of blu-rays. I love that place so much.
Support your local libraries folks!
And also use the damn restroom usually without having to ask for a key or code. We need more places like that, and more public restrooms in general.
@@KitC916most libraries I’ve been in have a lock for the bathroom
I would suggest it's even better, you're supposed to take as much advantage of all the free services as possible.
You're a consumer, no need to for free places. If you want to go somewhere that's free, look for a job.
In high school, my history teacher that specialized in World War 2 had a quote that he said was the only thing he wanted us to remember from his class if we have to remember something:
"When they start firing librarians and banning books, you're in the beginning of a dictatorship. Librarians are the guardians of free speech and the first lines of defense against a dictator, which means they're also the first to fall."
This shit happening now is terrifying.
@@VladLad "We must simply remember that conspiracy theory I've bought into could also be responsible" is not as convincing as you think weirdo. The only modern political ideology that calls for "all institutions to be subrverted" as you put it are extremist anarchists and primitivists.
@@VladLad PARTLY TRUE?! This has to be the biggest non-statement that I have ever read!!!!!
@@VladLad one should also recall that "cultural Marxism" is just a retreaded Nazi conspiracy theory
@@VladLad just your friendly neighbourhood reminder that "cultural Marxism" is just a retreaded conspiracy theory invented by the NSGWP
@Tricklarock
Expand on that a bit please, or yours closely resembles a nonstatement at least to me. Vlad stated quite a bit (that I agree with, by the way). TIA
As a librarian at a public library that is dealing with this crap, I can say it's terrifying. I'm glad it's getting more press. Stay safe, everyone.
I hate that you are dealing with this insanity, but as a library patron, I thank you for your service to the community at large.
🙋 librarian in AR. Our children's programmer was called a Jezebel by one of our state reps because of a pride display (she sees it as a compliment lmao)
Unironically; Thank you for your service. 🫡
Are you a librarian? What's your experience, it sounds like a nightmare for you guys. Librarians here study librarianship. I feel like Luddites are taking over. And it's actually getting dangerous. I really feel for you guys. Libraries save children. Take care.
Thank you for all you do. You should not have to endure this for your service to the community.
I had a friend whose parents stopped educating her in 6th grade so she could become a housewife that took care of them when they were old. The library was the only place she was allowed to go unsupervised when she was 16. She self-studied for the SAT and the librarians helped her get through all the legalities that freed her when she was 18.
Edit: I'm pleasantly surprised how many people found this comment. I met this friend at that library, I volunteered there. I've seen librarians help homeless folks apply for jobs, print copies of artwork for artists, and help people new to the area find a church or mosque that was right for them. I saw humanity there, and it saddens me that so many people feel threatened by it.
Wow, your friend sounds really driven. Good for her.
I hope she has zero contact with her parents
Unfortunately, that is exactly the kind of behavior these book-banners are trying to prevent.
This was the shortest horror-to-happy story I've ever read. Thank you ❤❤❤
Liar 🤥
Quick lil PSA: Library funding is partially based upon the amount of people with a library card. If you get a library card for your local library, even if you never go, you’re helping out the community
Thank you for that tip. Is it possible to cancel your library card?
@@searose6192 dont need to, theyre free anyway
This is very important. Boosting
Circulation numbers help too. Having a card helps, but they give out funding based on it actually being used as well.
I have a card and my library now offers eBooks. I'll try to rent more books now that I know it helps them. My local libraries do book sales a few times a year, selling books for cheap, and they make it a whole event with games and food trucks. I've always wanted to go but I'm vehicle-less at the moment. So, renting more books it is!
"if they are alone in the library, then they probably have a phone. Which means that my library is the least of your concerns." Truly beautiful
That's so stupid. Library should still be an appropriate environment for underage kids. Just because they have a phone it automatically dismisses that? There's also drugs and prostitutes in the world oh but let me compare that to the library. Such a dumb argument and whoever defends that is dumb too
"if they are alone in the library, then they probably have a ( my iPhone-3 16.5~yo-and-up/got-driver-license ~ or laptop i got as a adult/newlyweds, my childhood Christian/lds/Jewish home-2000's didn't have computers/DSL-or-broadband ( school/business/shared-families-home-based, limited speed DSL* and tracker's-etc aka being spied-on ) or cell-phones*, as there was concern about obscenity's-etc and the expenditures/$$$ ) phone. Which means that my library is the least ( TV ad's/other public sources and or new's/slander/slangs-etc in the 90's and or late night broadcasts-antenna/free show'd cracks ,but not the full real experience's ) of your concerns." Truly beautiful
yep getting internet and traveling and or moving around-after-19yo~ by myself and later on ( unhealthy/happy, yes we could have probably salvaged it, but all parts weren't there better self's 😉 unfortunately, my part was using my grandpa's/1950's as example's and stubbornness/conversion therapy try's, and fear of enforcement and or retaliation social or governmentally ) monogamous-married, let me find out my identity 🌈
thank's jonn-O yes i could ( teenage/pre-25yo me, was homophobic/rainbow-hunter/preaching 🤦🏻♂ sorry my bad ) and still could use heathy and or more-balanced ( my mind isn't always around ( actually i found im on the ACE spectrum, but lower level ) sexual activity, sometimes im relationship-on talks and friendship's aka life-partner's ) media example's of being queer and or polly+marriage ( happiness ever after, instead of being the failed couple/triangle-tropes ) 🤠🤠🤠 / 👰👰👰 or 👰🤠👰 or 🤠👰🤠
If you have a kid with a smart phone and they are taking it to any bathroom and you the parent are not in there with them, the library is none of your concern because the kid is in to much "worse" on their phone.
That's the thing that truly gets me. I'd be willing to make a solid bet that none of these parents keep track of the stuff their kids do online - what TikToks they watch, their Google history, RUclips channels they sub to, who they'r DMing on Instagram etc. Yet there's a *possibility* that there's a *book* in a place these same kids probably *never even go to begin with* - oh, the horror! As long as little Johnny or Suzy have their iPhone or iPad and leave Mommy and Daddy the hell alone, they can continue on their moral outrage parade towards content that may or may not even exist in their local libraries.
@@NismoR34Drift Most of the people filing complaints aren't even parents with young kids! They're religious nuts who think they should control others' lives!
I’ve struggled with addiction and homelessness on and off, and let me tell you, when society treats you like trash and you have nowhere else to go on a cold day, I have always felt 100% welcomed at my city’s libraries ❤ the library is so much more than books to so many people. As long as you are respectful and quiet, I have never been turned away. Ever.
We don't usually turn anyone away as long as we can help it and they behave. Unfortunately, some public libraries have fallen victim to (city) marketing and will ask homeless people who make their beds in front of or nearby the main entrance to leave.
This is a sad world
Last time i went to one, a lady came in screaming and yelling conspiracies and obsenity at staff. As if thats probably better for kids.
In a world that is also more and more online, public libraries often provide the ONLY free internet access possible. That doesn't seem like much, but the vast majority of jobs (including entry-level jobs that is the max most homeless people will be able to access) DEMAND an online application for any position. They also require multiple means of rapid communication, which can be simulated with an email account and various free text communication services.
Remove public libraries, and you remove one of the necessary tools for homeless people to improve their situation and no longer be homeless. Libraries and gyms are PIVOTAL to homeless people who need access to the internet and showers. One of my best friends went from penniless and homeless to owning his own small business because he begged for enough to get a gym membership and frequented his local public library to find and apply to jobs online. If there hadn't been a public library, he'd still be penniless and homeless...
@@leiajiang7877what does that have to do with OP tho
The part that sticks with me is that a picture of a child playing in the bathtub with a toy boat was considered sexual content. So you’re literally sexualizing a child, but librarians are the ones being called pedophiles.
I know it’s completely and utterly bass ackwards
Not only that, but it's a child's book! All a kid has to do to see the exact same image is to have a bath.....
Ordinary folks wouldn't even think about that pic of the child in the bath!!
Good god!!!
It's THESE bloody so-called christians who are perverted!! (I'm an ex-christian btw, in the uk, where I experienced nothing like the sort of off the charts insanity that the US has!).
They actually seem obsessed!
Work in the Library here in Minnesota, it hasn't been that bad but sometimes it can be. People did keep stealing John Oliver's book to stop it from being read so we ordered a ton of them to flood the area in response. I am responsible for that and am proud.
Love it
Hero!
Bravo! 💙🎉
Honestly, full *chef's kiss* at the irony of how count-intuitive their theft is.
Do you have William s Burroughs books in your library?
I'm a retired librarian. As part of my function, I have evaluated challenges to materials. It is the responsibility of the parents of minors to review materials a minor borrows. It is not the responsibility of library staff to censor a minor's choices, regardless of reading level or content. We serve ALL who come through our doors.
And that is why transgender and gay erotica must be allowed in primary school libraries!!!
it's also especially important for young adult to have a source to learn about topics they might be too embarrassed to talk with their parents, namely sex and gender identity, especially if their parents pretend to be 'good' evangelicals.
Thank you, I am grateful for all the books I “shouldn’t have read” in the 80’s
I'm a parent myself and the number of parents I see that expect others to teach/parent their kids is wild.
Our profession has criteria for weeding and for assigning books to a certain audience. If patrons question those criteria, they are still free to choose not to check out the book in question. But that is as far as it goes. They do not get to do our job just like I don't get to barge into bakeries and start kneeding dough just because I didn't care for the crompouce.
Former librarian chiming in here. There are adult, teen and children's areas on the public library. If you believe your children are seeing these books and checking them out, where the F*CK were you? You are supposed to be there with your kids. Or did you just dump them off and expect someone else to take care of your children and their moral upbringing?
Well said!!
Bravo 👏
I bet they're in the libraries of the real groomers - you know: the clergy.
I literally never brought my parents to the library once in my entire life. Who are these weirdos going on family trips to the library?
I usually went to the library after school. Why would my parents be there?
My thoughts exactly!
Food for thought: it would be very interesting to hear the book-banning crusaders' response to the question, "If we should ban all these books to protect hypothetical kids from hypothetical harm, then shouldn't we also ban private gun ownership, since they cause very real kids very real harm?"
yep! but that's where THEY play the "muh rights!" card. just like when you try to prevent them from being openly bigoted.
Ahhh but there is a very distinct difference between the 2 -
One may reference Boobs & Butts & One includes Bullets & Blood.
Have you not noticed yet how religion is vehemently against 1 and sickenly supportive of the other ?
@johnnyonthespot4375 The director Milos Forman observed years ago that it was perfectly acceptable to show a breast being stabbed or cut off, but not caressed. Our society has a weird addiction to pain and punishment and an even odder relationship to pleasure.
@@piaonomata9220 Aye, I think fundamentally its the nature of US social fabric. The saying that has resonated with me has been "The US wasn't founded by immigrants, the US was founded by protestants that's filled with immigrants". That weird, repressive, self torturing origin has embedded itself into US society so deeply that no matter your class, creed, background, it still permeates the public morality.
All good points. 👍🏻
I have a foster teen (16.5 yo young lady) who came to stay with me Dec 21st of last year. She was an hour+ away from family, friends, and on winter break for 2+ weeks before starting at a brand new high school. I brought her to my local library's teen loft for a gaming night over winter break. The librarian was so gracious and the teen left that night with a half dozen new friends at her new school and continues to go to the loft at least once a week. Eternally grateful she has a safe space full of compassionate people.
That's so awesome! You and the librarians have given her a gift for life
Thank you so much for fostering a teen. I was frequently taken out of the home and as I aged up, it became harder and harder to find a place to stay.
My mom was an emergency foster care provider for many years. IIRC around 110'ish kids over the years. Some for as short as 2 days, some for over a year.
I had sisters and brothers of every age, race, creed, and disposition.
If I believed in a deity I am sure that you would be blessed.
Thank you for your dedication to helping a young adult in a difficult time in their life.
May the flying spaghetti monster give you unlimited garlic bread O_o
@@cozmothemagician7243Can I meet the flying spaghetti monster? 😅😅😅
That is awesome, probably changed the course of her life. Your friend group at that age determines everything.
I never comment on RUclips, but I'm so moved by John's outpouring of support, that I feel compelled. I am a public librarian in a relatively conservative county on the East Coast. I am fortunate to work in a role that doesn't come into direct contact with these kinds of challenges day to day, but as a member of the librarian profession, I feel threatened and demoralized whenever I hear of stories like these from across the country, and I hear them a lot.
I am also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, so people attacking my colleagues in order to push people like me out of public view is truly crushing. Last year, I read Gender Queer for the first time, and I cried because I felt like I really understood myself and like I'm not alone, perhaps for the first time. I wrote to the author personally to thank em and to pledge my support for the book as a librarian. Obviously, Gender Queer and books like it are not for kids. I blushed repeatedly, and I'm in my late 20s. But if I had had access to a book like this as a teenager, my mental health would have been that much better for that much more of my life.
When I am at the desk, I place holds for patrons on books by Tucker Carlson and Mark Levin. I do so respectfully, as if these are any other books, even if the contents fly in the face of everything I stand for, because that is my duty as a librarian. We are among the frontline fighters against censorship. I haven't read those conservative books, and sure, the back covers tell me “everything I need to know.” But it's not my place to decide what complete strangers read, just as it is not the place of these serial book-challengers.
As John said, we are under threat. I hide my employee badge when I go outside on my lunch break because I am afraid of the community I have pledged to serve. Please help us fight these battles. We are your libraries. Your voices matter. And I am filled with gratitude to John and his incredible staff for covering this ongoing issue and getting the word out there. Thank you, Mr. Olliver. (It has always been spelled with two Ls; your memory deceives you....)
Thank you for serving those who do not (but should) respect you with respect. It is a rare thing these days. ♥ Ah yes, two LL's. 😂
Thank you so much for your valuable work! I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my local public library growing up.
The library has been such an important resource for me growing up and now I utilize their extended science databases when I do research. Thank you for the world of work you do for your community. So many people appreciate you.
The library has always been one institution I respect. It basically helped to shape who I am today because I had the right to read what I wanted to. I will fight to protect that institution. And I get your concern. I am a retired teacher. About 5 years before I retired, I asked my mom, “When did I (as a teacher) become the enemy?”
"books by Tucker Carlson and Mark Levin" Now those are books that should be banned! hahaha!
The library is pretty much the last place left in the universe where you are allowed to exist without generating profit. That's enough reason to keep them.
People want to defund them because they want to control the flow of information. Christianity is a death cult that worships a guy they claim was perfect. Anything that goes against their primitive narrative like biology, physics, literature, history, etc. needs to be removed in their eyes. The only difference between Christian Dominism and Sharia Law is that they just use a different holy book.
For many, that's a reason to get of them. If it's not about money, it's a waste of time.
The reasons why I could never live in that country just keep coming.
The comment section truly warms my librarian heart. I really feel appreciated by the numerous stories people have with libraries. Best wishes to the US-colleagues. Stay strong!
The people who say they're opposed to a nanny state the loudest sure are quick to run to get the gov't to decide what books young people can read.
Because that's not a nanny state, it's a god intended christian state /s
Right wingers thrive on hypocrisy
They don't see the irony
right they don’t wanna be under anyone’s control and yet are constantly asking for more control to be imposed over them lmao. who are they fighting when the ppl working the hardest against their own interest are themselves??
Sounds more like they are trying to decide what books anyone can read. To my understanding, it isn’t about moving books deemed inappropriate for children to another section, but to completely remove it from everyone.
I was raised by a crazy controlling and abusive conservative christian parent that refused to let me listen to non christian music or any consume any media including books(besides the Bible), trying to convince me I was going to hell if I read Harry Potter books or god forbid anything that taught me about my changing body. The Library was a safe haven for me. I would spend hours after school there just reading and reading because it was my only escape from my awful home life and I don’t know how I would’ve survived as a child without it. It was the only way I could learn anything about the real world. People need this access to information, it’s so so important. I wish people would take their personal/religious beliefs and keep it their damn selves.
My life was no,where as terrible as yours, but there were many, many times books kept me sane I am sorry that you must hate the BIBLE. It's a pretty good book
This is the main reason why people want to find reasons to cut funding to libraries. Like in the story John cited, they didn't cut funding as a warning, they cut funding because they knew it would ultimately doom the library. And one less library is one less place someone can be exposed to something other than the controlled world of the church.
@@mammawleeThe bible really isn't that great. The story is endlessly meandering, it's full of sexual things like god killing a man for pulling out of his widowed sister-in-law, references to donkey emissions, and incest, and it's completely inconsistent especially at the beginning where there are literally two creation myths that conflict with each other for when things were first created.
@@gljames24 the bible is also the source of progressive movements like the social gospel and the inspiration of leaders like martin luther king, desmond tutu, and franklin d. roosevelt.
i understand why you said what you did, but i think you disagree more with the christians than christianity itself.
Yup my family wasn't religious, but they were helicopter parents who restricted my access to information of the outside world. The library was the only place they allowed me to visit where they did not mandate me to send updates on my wherabouts and activities every 30 minutes. I was able to access resources and community that were otherwise inaccessible to me. It was a wonderfully peaceful break from my violent home life.
When I found myself homeless, the first place I went to kill time was the library.
I make a point to go to my library once a week. I am currently unemployed, and don’t have money for books. It has made me keep up my reading and makes me appreciate them being there. I saw a man with special needs and the librarians talked to him so caringly.
This whole argument about libraries just shows that conservative parents don't want to actually parent, they want the world to do it for them. It's so sad that they're going after public libraries and even making these false allegations.
When I was an under employed single mom to a young child, one of my joys was going to the library for a few hours to use the computer for free. I could study, read the news, and, of course, check out books to read together. It was so nice.
Get a job ya bum, our taxes shouldn’t go to freeloaders
As a person who was at one time homeless and unemployed public libraries were a Godsend.
I also go to library about once a week. I like to check out the newest DVDs since I cut my cable & have never had Netflix, hulu, etc. While working as a Behavioral Therapist with kids on the Spectrum last year, I also noticed how well our young learners were treated by the staff. The library is my sanctuary and it has been since I was a girl😌
Notice how their rhetoric is always about "family" and rarely about "community". Libraries are some of the last true community spaces in America, and they provide education. It makes sense why the right is going after them.
John oliver may not be pregnant but he always delivers
*air horn sounds*
john oliver mpreg??? 😳😳😳???
@@izzybel9682I am both terrified and intrigued by this idea.
He always delivers because any other option is illegal.
O⁷
Librarians standing up to would be censor-bullies are nothing short of heroes.
They deserve our recognition, support, and protection.
I wonder if they also pulled that one book that talks about the daughters getting their dad drunk to have sex with him.
@@brandonlm0125 Are you talking about the Bible, this book that a tiny minority of Christians have read from the first page to the last?
I haven't finished the whole video yet, these items may still get a mention, but this isn't the first or even second time in my memory that librarians in the USA have been heroic.
After 9/11, when the patriot act passed, the brand new Department of Homeland Security was going around to libraries demanding membership lists along with checkout histories, so they could cross reference them with books and materials they found concerning and make lists of people to investigate. Librarians all over the country refused to hand over records to the feds. Not every single one, but enough that it was a big deal.
During Occupy Wall Street, librarians built a temporary library at the NYC encampment. Like, temporary structures with framing and tarps where books were shelved and made available to protesters.
Librarians are absolute rock stars in my book (pun accidental)
@@brandonlm0125 You know I feel like the only way to stop, or at least to slow down, this idiotic movements is to join them banning books... and start with the bible. For every shocking quote that they spit out give them one from there.
Bonus points: get them riled up them by reading from there before they realize what you're quoting.
@philippebrehier7386 hey don't insult America Christians most beloved coffee table decoration.
Wait it's a book?
I live in Florida and have been trying to collect as many of the banned books as possible to put in my yard's library box. We call it the Prohibition Library.
Central Florida here Lake Morton.
Hell yeah! Fight the power!
Does it also serve alcohol?
@@samcyphers2902 Books with 🍻 beer. Beerleggers.
That's awesome!!!!
Statistically speaking, the main thing children & adolescents need to be protected from is *their parents*, and access to alternate sources of education is a big part of that.
The more I hear about these public library controversies, the more I get sad. Not just because of how LGBTQ people are having their work treated, but also because I am reminded how there are many Americans who don’t really subscribe to our nations values of freedom of speech/expression, as long as they aren’t personally affected.
shut up
Let’s be real, no one believes in freedom of speech. We probably agree that it’s not legal for me to issue a request or an order to kill somebody, and we probably agree that’s a good thing. So freedom of speech is a good starting point, just like freedom of any other action, but then you narrow and limit that freedom based on more important factors like the health and well-being of society. Cishet supremacists also have THAT part right, they’re just wrong about which freedoms to limit and which values are more important than freedom.
I get you’re trying to be a good ally, but you don’t need a premise so weak as freedom of speech to do it from. There are already better reasons to be against right-wing censorship.
Rules for thee but none for me
Misery loves company
And they're doing it all by attacking people who are often volunteers or underpaid working at a public library that does so much public good. Every town I've lived in, getting a library card has been one of the first things I've done. I get constant reading material, and a lot of libraries offer a lot of other great public services on top of the usual books and literacy efforts. The one I live near now opens their doors so the homeless can come inside and get shelter from the weather, often with a free food truck outside for them to get a decent meal before starting their day. A lot of them offer services for free like 3D printing and internet access for people who can't afford them.
It's sad to see places that do so much work that people can enjoy at no cost get attacked by ignorant people wrapped up in the latest faux controversy peddled by right wing media.
One thing John didn’t mention is the best way to support your library is to get a library card. You don’t even have to use it. Just having one gets the library more funding. The more library card that are given out the more funding they receive
I did not know this.
I will be stopping by my library this week - Thank you.
@@johnnyonthespot4375be sure to check out their digital resources. It might save you a subscription or two!
First thing I do when I move somewhere new is get a library card. Even if I'm not staying long, sometimes I move temporarily for work.
Great advice! Thank you
Time to find a way to get my animals library cards
I'm a public library worker and I'm soon finishing a master's program in Information Science: Thank you John and everyone that works on the show for this segment!
Hell yeah!
Thank you for your service ❤
Congrats on the upcoming degree! No small accomplishment there! All the best to you.
Congratulations. Whatever type of librarianship you select, it is a most rewarding experience.
Congratulations, Adam! You will be the next generation to stand for the freedom to read. I promise it will be frustrating and rewarding, but never boring!
That “…like they’re the last two letters trying to start a new alphabet” line did not get enough appreciation.
It's extra hilarious when you know that BL also stands for Boys Love, a genre of LGBTQ+ books, movies and TV shows that are about romantic relationships between men. If you google BL that's what shows up in the search. 😂
@@masonc8140 i was thinking that too lmao
Librarian here: the answer to one parent, or even 10 parents, trying to ban a book they wouldn’t want their child to read is simple (though not easy to implement because people are idiots). “Don’t check out the book then. You can avoid it that easily. Oh and if you’re worried they’ll see it somewhere else because a friend checked it out? Not the library’s problem. The library is not your child’s parent.”
In addition, the library does not exist to shelter people from information but to provide people with information. The library is neutral. The library is not a judge.
Of course you have a pride flag in your profile. A librarian who pushes that anti-civilization garbage, what an absolute shock.
Parents aren't the ones behind the book bans, though they are instrument. Its largely a concerted effort from well funded religious groups looking to consolidate power within local and state governments. Even if there are plenty of movements not directly funded or organized by these groups, they are mostly just a single degree removed from them; having been spawned from their online disinformation campaigns.
Its the same groups that are worming their way into school boards, city councils, and state legislature, as the barrier for entry to those seats of power are far lower than the federal government, where they have been losing sway to corporate interests with deeper pockets for decades. They still have their slimy tentacles in there too, but its harder to keep their minions in such public facing seats because they require people of unsound mind to work in their interest rather than those motivated purely by greed.
I find it absurd that people who normally chant for self-reliance and small government (i.e. Republicans) now need libraries to take care of their children because they themselves apparently never talk to their own offspring to provide necessary context to things kids might read.
Problem is, At their heart these people are fascists, So its not enough for them to control what their children see or how they practice their own religion, They have to impose it on everyone else too. They arent worried their child may find "gender queer", They are angry that it and queer people, anyone or anything different from themselves exists at all.
@@CheezMonsterCrazyTax exempt religious groups.. Your tax dollars support this behaviour.
Christopher Titus had the best attack on book banning. "When you ban a book from the library, you're not telling your child what they can't read. You are telling my child what they can't read. "
That’s the whole point. It’s to fuck with other people, not to benefit themselves.
What objection do you have to reshelving? Parents who want their kids to read these books can walk in to the library and walk out with the book in their kids hands without any extra difficulty. The benefit is parents who don't want their kids to read these books can safely let their kids roam the *children's section* and enjoy pulling books down to read without supervision.
@@searose6192 So if a kid wants a book about puberty, they'll need to walk through the adult sex section? Seems much better
@@searose6192 So we need to protect parents who prefer not to supervise their children in public? And we are going to call that freedom instead of parental burnout leading to potentially risky choices? I guess it is more about parents getting a short break than protecting those children then?
@@searose6192 I hope you realize your playlists are public
As a library worker and future Librarian: Media coverage like this is rare but incredibly important... thank you for your advocacy and thank you for giving a little bit of humor to this nightmare :)
Support your local library!
What’s the difference between a library worker and a librarian?
@@ThatNorwegianBiker Job titles vary but typically, a ‘librarian’ holds a master’s degree. They are trained to handle most logistical and technological demands of maintaining a library system. Library workers vary quite a bit as well but we typically do customer service and physical tasks.
I love libraries and librarians are some of the best people. When I was a kid, there were times when things were bad at home and I was also being bullied at school. I just now flashed back to a time when, during lunch breaks, I would hide out in the library from the bullies. The librarian had me help organize the card catalog (oh, the 80s lol) ... I'm sure she was just giving me something to do so I would feel useful.
Just a little side story but seriously, we must protect our libraries and librarians at all costs!!
Folks, if you are moved by this, PLEASE APPLY TO JOIN YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY BOARD. As a library worker for over 20 years, the power is often held by the library board. Libraries are passionate about creating space for community. Libraries remain a place for any person who wants to find information, community, and just be.
These are appointed positions. How would one run?
@@brokenrecord3523thank you for pointing out my error. You’re absolutely right. Library board trustees only need to watch for openings and apply. I was thinking of school boards to protect school libraries.
@@brokenrecord3523let’s google it. I didn’t know either
I already filed to run this year!
This is where the politics begin.🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸
I’ve just moved from a very lucrative career working in software engineering to work at the local public library because I believe so strongly in libraries and I’m fortunate enough to be able to make this kind of move.
I did too - I left my law librarian position to become a public Children’s Librarian. I acquired a K-6 Teaching Credential & a Master in Education in Curriculum Development. Although very dedicated to providing early education enrichment, due to this censorship crisis I retired early, heartbreaking. 😢
Thank you both for this. I'm a teen and growing up, the library was one of my favorite places to be. I'm in college now, and I cannot even remotely afford to work for a nearby library. What you do is so important and I hope one day to be able to assist in a similar manner.
I’m 22 and autistic. I had no sexual education in school. There was no expectation on how my body worked, how other people’s bodies worked, how to cope with my emotions or other folks. I was left 100% in the dark. This is already awful for any kid but even worse for one with zero friends who struggles with understanding his own body, and has a hard time communicating.
I was lucky enough to figure out how to sort through google and get what I needed. I found factual information because I found finding factual information extremely fun. Most 13 year olds are not cross referencing sources to make sure they’re not learning propaganda.
I saw plenty of kids all the way from middle to high who only knew misconceptions or straight up lies like girls don’t feel sexual attraction, tampons make you loose your virginity, girls can hold their periods in, guys can’t feel any emotion of any kind towards other guys or they’re gay, the list goes on and on.
This isn’t even considering the fact that restricting these books leave children more vulnerable to assault. These books teach kids what healthy and appropriate relationships are like. If you refuse to give kids access to these books, you are throwing them to ACTUAL predators. These fools blame librarians as if they aren’t teaching their kids that anything about their body is secret and whatever an adult their parents like is the law. They’re asking for their kids to be assaulted.
These folks assault their own kids. It’s all by design. Wife and daughter are property etc.
Greetings, fellow autistic young adult!
Good on you mate. Hate to tell you and you probably know, the cruelty is the pount. Republicans, religious leaders, poluce offocers stationed in schools want to throw those kids to predators and are found at an unusually high rate compared to other professions to be predators.
I didn't know what menstruation was until I started when I was 13. My parent threw a belt and pad at me. I didn't know how to use it, and do not remember who showed me.
if drivers education was taught like sex education, it would be a 3 day class on how to take the bus. and 2 days would be "how to safely put on a seatbelt" even though public transit dont have seatbelts.
I was "homeschooled" like John Oliver's homeschooling segment, and I only survived because I had access to the Public Library
My mom is a library manager, and I have just felt sympathy for her during this whole episode 😢 it's so much more important than people realize, it's a safe place for people looking to escape abuse, it's an internet provider for those in need, and it helps people with more than just books. We live in Oklahoma and because I'm in school we rely entirely on her income right now so the attack on libraries and librarians could literally ruin us both.
It really seems like these folks just don't use libraries. Ask any frequent patron who looks young enough to "know computers" and I bet they have a story about an elderly person asking for help printing important forms, submitting an application online, or whatever else. "It's all on the internet" as an argument against libraries really is ridiculous.
She must be exhausted when she gets home after work.
Hug your mom a lot and tell her how important she is to all those who live to learn ~
Oklahoma is unfortunately in the running for the most backward state currently. We dont get the recognition Alabama does. But, were in the hunt.
When I was a kid, my parents let me check out any books I wanted from the library, but they were also interested in what I was reading. They asked me about the books I was reading and what I thought of them. They also told me about books they were reading and what they liked about them. Basically, my family just really liked books and talked about them a lot. When you want to know what's going on in someone's life and in their head, talking is the main way you find out.
Your parents were doing their job as parents, unlike these people who want others to do it for them.
yes but then they'd actually have to spend time with their children and listen when they talk, instead of treating them like handbags that they take to church so they can convince themselves they'll spend eternity in paradise no matter how shitty they are on earth.
The problem is that this is too hard for some people. They just want to ban anything they think is bad and have someone else do that.
Of course, if someone else then decides to ban something these parents think is good - like, say, the Bible for too much sex and violence - then they get outraged.
I guess what those parents who want to ban books are really afraid of, is parenting, which comes with having your ideas challenged by your child.
I read Stephen King horror novels at age 12. I didn't get them from the library, but I had a lot of older siblings and there were always all manner of books lying around the house. My parents (lifelong subscribers to The Best of Reader's Digest, which got me into reading) worried about my choice of literature, but instead of asking me about it, they asked my school teachers. One of them, the school librarian iirc, simply said: "Trust your child's judgment. If it's not suited for him, he'll put it down" and that was that. Later I heard the same take from Mitch Hedberg: "any book is a children's book if a child can read". In conclusion (I knew there was a point to this): if people can believe "guns don't kill people", why can't those same people believe "books don't morally corrupt children"? (I turned out kind of allright btw. Just can't be bothered to touch another King novel with a ten foot pole).
@@Techydad - I don't think these people necessarily are doing all this banning because they actually think these items are evil. I think it is simply their joy to lord it over others. I'm guessing many of them don't even avail themselves of the library at all. I mean, if you haven't read the book yourself, how am I going to take you at your word that it's evil?
I am an American living and working in China. My first year here, the history teachers in our school taught out of a government approved textbook. That is, a Western textbook that, on a few pages, censors had blacked out certain unacceptable sentences (by hand, no less!). By my third year, foreigners weren't allowed to teach history or literature at all, and the books we used up to that point were outright banned.
It never ceases to frustrate me that the things that I like least about China are usually the same things I like least about America.
Agreed, it never ceases to amaze me how the "free-est people on earth" can't comprehend the simplest consequences of their actions, not realizing this kind of backwater ass thinking was the exact principles our country was founded against. Every day I'm saddened by how these ignorant folks try to ruin what my family has fought for. The people of this country need mental help and education desperately; otherwise, this kind of rhetoric will only get worse. Look at how our house speaker talks right now and tell me if our representatives are backing a secular nation fucking disgraces.
It's wild how Repubs accuse Dems of being "communist" and "fascist" while they literally follow the communist/fascist playbook of banning any freedoms they don't like.
@@crazygamerbpNot an american but i would say most of these people know the consequences but they actually want a christian country. They dont want a secular state. The banning of lgbtq books is just the first step. If they could they would already ban islamic or secular books too but they would lose support for the banning of lgbtq books. Same with abortions first dont say you want it banned then give it to the states and later ban it nationwide.
@@crazygamerbp I wholeheartedly agree. They’re destroying what Americans have spent so long trying to fight for and protect. It’s sickening. Taking away things they don’t agree with for everyone, as if we should all have the same beliefs and mindset is outright wrong.
Both countries are basically the same. China's "capitalism" also includes caveats like the government deciding who can and cannot own social media. Both places the rights of an individual against the State is basically laughed out of the Supreme Court. Exactly how do Americans think they're different from China?
I love libraries! Some of my favorite memories are taking my children to our local library when they were small. I was unemployed for several years during the great recession. It was our go to. Story time. Music performances. Arts and crafts. Legos. Blocks. Puzzles. I came so often all the librarians knew me and my kids by name…even years later when I visited after I moved away. It was my Cheers. To all the librarians…thank you for all you do.
A family member of mine works in a public library as a volunteer. She is retired, nearly 80 and lives alone after her husband died. The library gives her a safe place to interact with other people and keeps her busy. She actually helps organize a bunch of free social events, lectures and classes for people of all ages. Many of the visitors to the library during the day are other seniors or people who live alone, the library is their only source of social interaction. Forcing libraries to shut down because you object to some books that may or may not be in that library deprives these people of an important part of their lives. Bottom line, if you don't like a book, don't read it. No one is forcing you or your child to read it.
Even if the books are threatened for removal, isn't there a constitutional challenge to the local court that could issue a stay until they hear the case?
The people that are shutting them down believe that a church should be the only community center.
@@leigel3 Fifty years ago the church was the community center. But things change and life goes on. The libraries where my children grew up with were and have become safe community centers for youth and teens. Parents - teach your children respect and they will not be intimidated or disrespectful of other people's lives. Those books you want to have removed can be a source of understanding, and yes, respect for what is different but very real. And for heaven's sake, if you don't want your children in the adult section, that is YOUR business to address.
Freedom is jeopardized by those who believe their morality is fundamentally threatened by your Liberty. "Originalists" are charlatans for the Religious Right.
I thought libraries were where you went to stay away from socialization, since you're not supposed to talk inside them.
I am the Director/Librarian of a small gem of a library in the Adirondacks. The Executive Director of our library system, which has 54 libraries, keeps us informed about all the things you spoke of and helps libraries in our system deal with these very situations. Keeping our policies up to date, for these kinds of challenges is extremely important. As you said, John, libraries are needed now more than ever and we need communities and everyone to help support libraries. Thanks, John ❤
I live in Schenectady atm. But I have lived in smaller towns in the area. Thank you for your dedication.
Even if the books are threatened for removal, isn't there a constitutional challenge to the local court that could issue a stay until they hear the case?
i needed books and libraries so much when i was young. you weren't my librarian but i still thank you for your hard work
I'm so grateful my mom always said "read whatever you want and just come see me if you have any questions about what you've read." I grew up with an open mind. I made my own decisions when a topic was "too much" for me for whatever reason (my "icky" books are the HORROR genre - no one discussed taking them off the shelf!). Thanks for all you do John.
Exactly! This is such a bizarre cultural attitude - anything to do with sex is somehow considered bad and wrong, but horrific violence is somehow fine by comparison? I'd think a boob would be less traumatizing than the mutilated animals or literal undead you might find in horror books. It's more important to teach kids responsible behavior than to control their lives for them. As pointed out in the video, most of these kids probably have access to the internet and all the nastiness that can be found there, or are watching violent movies or playing violent video games - reopening the age-old discussion of, just because we're exposed to an idea, doesn't mean we'll be directly influenced to imitate that. The "Dungeons and Dragons is encouraging satanism" of decades ago has today become "books on the struggles of puberty or queer themes will groom my child and/or make them gay".
Also - what's up with banning books on farting or that include butts? Nothing about those is inherently sexual. If farting books are bad influences, what about farting parents? A mouth can be involved in sexual acts, but we're not censoring books and movies that include images of mouths or the actions of eating or speaking. Looking back, I loved the Captain Underpants books as a little kid, I bet they would have liked to ban those in a heartbeat.
@@hannahg.8572
excellent points. i can say the older adults in my family don't appreciate the captain underpants books, as well. and yep, i read them as a kid, too.
as for the bizarre cultrual attitude, it's not entirely bizarre. as pointed-out, this is primarily the conservatives. namely, the christian conservatives. many of whom have openly and proudly accepted the label "christian nationalist". these types are all about oppression. and the entire faith is no stranger to this. as an example, the crusades. they also are trying to deny the very existence of society/religion before their own or even that the atrocities carried-out in the name of "god" ever happened. many of my own family are conservative, i was being raised that way. i'm 'supposed' to be christian, but there are a few reasons i'm actually agnostic. i know how the mentality works. while i flipped a 180 to it, there's still parts deeply seated in my mind that i have to fight-off. hate and hyprocrisy. that's all it is.
now, not all christians or conservatives are like this. even my family isn't near as bad as some of these others. but it's sure getting hard to not blanket label them "evil" or "ignorant", because try as you might, reason and appealing to their humanity typically doesn't work. i know this from experience.
the farting and butts is probably a combination of what happens when you try to apply blanket censorship, and yes, there genuinely are parents who'd rather the content not be accessible to kids. [or anyone]
also : libraries are just the tip of the iceburg. their platform has a name, and it was symbolized by a certain red-colored flag. they do need to be stopped. america by the day is being converted into a f-scist autocracy. pretty clear what the end goal is...
and as for the blonde woman who was just so 'offended' by that 'obscene' book : i point my finger and shout, "SNOWFLAKE!". >:D
welp, wonder if this comment will get shadow-banned....
and oh, on violent content versus adult content: if you haven't, watch "This Film Is Not Yet Rated", the documentary about the MPA[A]'s rating board and standards [rather, lack thereof] for how content is rated. glorifying violence and war while decrying s- is very much an agenda. fair warning, while censored, a lot of s- content is depicted as various directors/producers/etc... go into details about how that content is rated by a double-standard. the absurdity of how the ratings board functions is almost comedic! my favorite part was when the appeals board member identities were exposed. the trailer is great, too :P
We got a library card when my son was born and in 6 years we have saved $3800 by checking out books! We were reading Harry Potter when he was 4/5 and our librarian recommended we stop at book 3. She knew he was younger and explained to both of us that book 5 is in the teens section. She then introduced him to a series called Dragon Masters that were more catered to his age. He became obsessed with the series and forgot about wanting to read Harry Potter. We love our library and our very knowledgeable librarian.
I'm so happy to see libraires lending out random items. Borrowing a nice telescope or fishing pole sparks interest can be a pivotal moment for kids who don't have access to them.
I've read about libraries that provide showers, mail services, and refrigerators with free perishable foods for homeless people!
I first started to listen to music albums in a library - hugely impacted me, because I sometimes randomly selected one and started to listen. Don't think I would have discovered so much good music another way.
Granted now there are other possibilities - but having the option of different mediums is always great.
They did offer DVDs, Graphic Novels, Newspapers and Magazines, Boardgames and Travel Maps...
But even only having books are important - I started to read at 12 and the library was such a huge mystery and treasure trove off wisdom and adventure to me.
But what if the child uses that telescope to spy through the neighbour's bedroom window?!?! For innocence's sake, we must ban all magnifying devices! PLEASE, WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!!!!!!!!!
@@jimbofandango7046 :') im sure some puritans assholes will take you at face value
The demonization of public libraries is giving "Fahrenheit 451". If you need help understanding this reference, go to your public library.
ROFL i played Fahrenheit 451 on Commodore 64 way back in the day before i found out it was a book
I went, but apparently all their copies were burned.
We need to become a book each, just in case...
In b4 Moms for Liberty starts calling for Farenheit 451 to be banned from public libraries, on the basis that its drug-related, death-related, and tonally dark content is obscene and must be kept out of reach of children at all costs.
Bruh that’s one of the most popular books in history, you ain’t elite
My lil community, in rural Mississippi, had a one room library with three computers. We finally got wifi there in the 2010s, but I love that place. I wrote many papers there, and the life it gave led me to my PhD.
CONGRATS! Sometimes it's hard to find a place to really study.
When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I was obsessed with the American Girl books, and I wanted to read the new one, Meet Addy, which was about a girl who escapes slavery during the 1860s. My mom was concerned that the topic might be a little too intense for me, so....
She read the book herself and decided that it was okay for me to read. It got the point across that slavery was horrific without being graphic about it. We also discussed the book together. Because that is how you parent your children. You have to be involved and do the work.
"Because that is how you parent your children. You have to be involved and do the work" - Ack! Be involved in my child's life? Why do you think I bought them that smartphone, tablet, and TV? You're obviously just trying to promote your communist, socialist, Marxist agenda! Everybody knows it is not my responsibility to raise my child. That's your responsibility, and the school's responsibility, and the library's, and the TV's, and the Internet's. Why else do you think we have the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child"? It's because it's the village's job, its obligation, its responsibility -- not mine -- to raise my child. (in case it wasn't obvious, that was said with a heavy dose of sarcasm)
For those confused about the seed library: speaking for my library, they aren’t checked out and it’s not expected that they get returned. It’s just called that because it’s in a library and there’s a variety that can be browsed and taken for free. Seeds can also be donated by patrons. It’s meant to encourage gardening and gardening can be a communal activity which, as a public service for the community, we like to promote.
Thank you! 😂
Just bring back some of the vegetables and fruits you grow from the seeds to the library. To feed the poor in your community. Just a thought.
For those that are confused I am wondering how they can tie their shoes or even dress themselves.
@@elhior23 I was confused about how someone can "check out" something that isn't reusable like seeds are. I guessed that the phrasing of "checked out" was incorrect, but I didn't know for sure
That's actually a really cool idea!
It's not the librarian's job to monitor your children. Thank you to the keepers of knowledge, who dedicate their careers to making knowledge available to all.
Yeah you said it and with times now with the inflation, wars, climate change and well really a whole lot of bad news there's a lot of those out there. Like some groups that I can tell that are like that is PTC (Parents Television Council), Karens and 1 Million Moms among who knows what others and also if you don't know may want to give them a Google and RUclips as well.
I can't agree more!
majority of people no longer read ... libraries are truly obsolete for the mass
@@genuineappeal3458go visit one of…it always has people and activities going on
@@genuineappeal3458 if you bothered to watch a full minute into the video, you'd know libraries are more than just books.
When I was a kid I was a very high-level reader. In early middle school I had finished every book in the YA area that interested me and naturally started branching out into the adult books. My parents honestly were terrible at helping me find books because they were too focused on “reading level” and ignored “interest level.” My little brother and I were also regularly in the library unattended.
The natural result of this was that I checked out and read an erotica book. Like the point of this book was the erotica. I was so young and sheltered I didn’t even know what sex was. Do you know what happened? I went to the librarian on my next visit and asked why these icky books were here. I was worried about my little brother, who was also an advanced reader. The librarian explained that the library didn’t believe in censorship, but agreed that me and my brother should probably avoid those books. She helped me find us book lists and explained that “romance” books shelved in the adult area are meant for adults. I was in no way harmed by this, in fact I learned a lot about media literacy that I hadn’t been taught in my sheltered upbringing.
Basically I didn’t HAVE to be prevented from accessing books that weren’t appropriate for me. When I encountered it I knew it wasn’t for me and was happy to have adults point me towards the books that I wanted to read. My parents were the ones inadvertently pushing me towards inappropriate material. Librarians were the ones who knew that my “college level reading ability” didn’t mean I was ready for 1984. It just meant I could decipher the words in it.
I also started reading adult books before puberty and checked out some really wild ones from the library unknowingly. I remember Jaws being a surprisingly horny book.
Keep in mind your reading appreciation is unusual. Many less intelligent kids, teens rarely go to a library. This book removal by conservatives is Communist
I love your memories of those library visits and how helpful librarians are.
I remember those days when something titillating seemed so naughty. 😂
ps my cat’s name is Boyo ~
I was also a high level reader and read just about everything I could get my hands on. I read a lot of books with sex scenes that made me have to go find the books that could explain what all was going on. (I had some vague idea of sex but not all the details.) This was pre-internet and the encyclopedias were a gold mine for someone like me. I surely got into stuff that was a bit over my head, but it sure taught me a lot about how humans can behave. My parents weren't inattentive, just didn't believe I was reading anything "wild" because I was mostly into history stuff. Surprise! I turned out to be a reasonable human being.
This is such a great explanation. Thank you for sharing your story!
Censorship is not about what is censored. It is about exerting power.
And in this case: The sad result of boring people, who need to find som sort of identity by lying as they use their god or kids as a false excuse to assert said power. "You're a boring excuse for a person, Susan - STFU!" is the reasonable response.
Thanks for pointing out that most of the book banners have never actually read the books. When I bring this up people always ask why they should have to read a whole book when parts of it are objectionable. People don't understand why context matters. I also work in public libraries. Thanks so much for covering this issue!
The entire Christian approach to their own Holy Book is taking shit out of context so
@@erinl4512 lol so true I wish I could like it twice
Context, nuance, etc, are words that are definitely not in the vocabulary of 'those people'!!!
I was going through the comments wondering if and when I would see any about how few book banners actually READ the book they are trying to ban! Thank you!
Ive had an argument and the response was “I don’t have to read it” like what the heck is wrong with people
My dad was a single dad, trying to raise three little girls in the 70s. I was so thankful for libraries when I hit age 11, 12.....I found all I needed to explain the embarrassing parts of life without having to put my exhausted father through the horror of having to explain it all to me. I was also able to show my younger sisters when their time came to go through the changes. A lot of the books that helped me so much are probably on these banning lists. Very sad that kids don't get to learn about their own bodies in privacy with this wing of the Christian Taliban policing everything.
Ive never understood why people find religious moral objections a justifycation for not letting someone know how their own body works.
i dont care what your religious book of choice has to say about it thats a violation of not only the kids trust but their fundamental right to know what THEIR OWN BODY DOES.
The number of women i know who woke up in a pool of blood and thought they where genuinely dieing, or made a panicked sprint from a school bathroom stall to the nurse on the verge of tears thinking it was a medical emergency is actually shocking,
like you presume their mothers had similarly horrific experiences, wouldent you want to not pass that down
❤@@therideneverends1697
As somebody who works in a library, conservatism has forver lost me. There will be no point in my life where I believe that banning books that offend their extremely delicate sensibilites is valid.
And these same Christian fundamentalists will defend Trump for being a perverted adulterer who lusts after his own daughter, because these are kingly things to do.
And the irony is lost when they turn around and call those on the other side "snowflakes"
These kind of people are simply too dumb to understand anything that isn't their narrow world view. The amount of damage that lead poisoning has done to older generations is baffling.
Nothing delicate about these soviet tyrants
It always starts with banning books. We've been there before when books burned in large heaps. Didn't turn out so well.
Currently, I work at a library, and we're having a tough time right now. We are trying to go for a tax levy for the first time in 5 years, just to keep our jobs and the library running. We have cut literally everything we can while still providing programs (which the employees fund out of pocket because we want the programs to be great!), and services, but we'll have to cut staffing to even possibly stay open (we only have 3 employees total). We're worried because some have been very vocally against the existence of the library at all, let alone the inclusiveness of our collection. I wish they understood how many people depended on our services and how freaking hard we work out of pure passion for the library and our community. The library is so much more than just books!!!
Sorry for the little off-topic rant, just a very tired and worried library clerk. Much love, and keep on reading!
i hope you guys got funding and things are better
I’m an assistant librarian (currently working towards my degree), and one instance that stands out to me was when the mother of a seventh grade girl was asking specifically for “older realistic fiction”. They had already selected “Bridge to Terabithia”, which y’know, awesome, it’s a classic! When they asked my help finding more, I asked if the daughter had read any Judy Blume yet. Holy shit it was like I opened the gates of hell. Mom immediately whips out her phone & pulls up Common Sense Media (a site our own library site provides a link to in the parent’s resources btw) and tells me how “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” has “highly sexual content” and “kids don’t need to be exposed to that”. Ok, two things:
-You have a daughter in 7th grade. That’s the exact demographic whose experiences that book was meant to speak to. Is your plan to not let her know anything about her own body until it happens? Way to recreate plot points from “Carrie”, mom.
-You already chose “Bridge To Terabithia”. The message your sending to your daughter is that you aren’t bothered by the concept of a girl her age falling into a creek, snapping her neck & drowning to death, but you ARE bothered by the concept of a girl her age getting her period and having questions about what’s happening to her own body.
One of my top 10 picks is the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Anti-intellectualism in American Life by Richard Hofstadter. Sixty years and still relevant, now more than ever.
"Never associate with idiots on their own level, because, being an intelligent man, you'll try to deal with them on their level--and on their level they'll beat you every time." - Yul Brynner quoting Jean Cocteau
My younger daughter absolutely hated "Bridge to Terabinthia" when it was required reading in her 7th grade class in the mid-to-late 1990s. "It's the most infuriating book, ever, Mom. It's so stupid." I don't remember her reaction to reading Judy Blume (if she ever did), but "Bridge to Terabinthia" comes up in conversation often nearly 30 years later and always with a visceral hatred for the story.
As a retired supervising librarian, I would suggest that the girl's parent was monitoring her child's reading. Judy Blume obviously was not the author for this parent and maybe her child. Seeing the parent had already selected a title she thought was okay you might have done a reader's advisor type interview. Success in your career.
Sounds like it was a setup, since she had so specific a request.
Regarding your last point, this has been obviously so since at least the 80s, where pop culture movies glorified and mainstreamed conflict (guns, explosions, death), but it was the presence of "dirty language" or nudity which got people riled up (and bumped a movie's MPAA rating higher). Horrific brutality and death? No problem. An exposed titty or someone says "Fuck"? OMG, won't someone think of the children!
Libraries are some of our oldest public institutions. They're so important that Uncle Sam recognized their need to exist before he recognized the need for health care regardless of ability to pay. These people who are trying to ban books are misguided at best and actively malignant at worst.
But not enough that "Uncle Sam" included a post office and roads but not a library, interesting.
We are way, way past the 'misguided.'
Some books don’t belong in libraries. If they talk about gay sex and how to have sex, yeah that isn’t educational. That’s why we have teachers and parents. Pretty soon porn magazines will be looked at the same way.
@@Zelousfear what are you even talking about Casey
@@Zelousfearliking your own comment doesn't help anything. We know it's you haha 😂
As a librarian I'm so glad John Oliver is talking about the attack and awful things we are facing. Please all you can, support your libraries! School, public, special, academic! Please support them all!!
That's good getting it out there and also besides those groups mentioned in this there are others as well. 2 Example of this are groups like 1 Million Moms and PTC (Parents Television Council) among who knows what other nuts are out there.
creepy books and creepy people reading to children need not be available
@@genuineappeal3458 You're the creepy one if those are the things you think are happening. What a perverted mind you have.
@@genuineappeal3458 disgust is not a valid component of ethics.
@@Fralexion it is tbh. Disgust is a reflex meant to keep us alive and disgust at a society level keeps society's wost impulses in check. We live in a society, not a group of hyper individualists who can each do their own thing without consequences for everyone else.
"If you want to groom, go into the clergy." So true!!!
As a librarian, my boss once gave me the rule "everyone should be able to find one book in the library that offends them". Then there was a politician in the local government (he wasn't even a local) who called us liberals for a man coming to speak to one of the local libraries who later became a Democrat candidate for governor. That guy spoke for free, but the local government person (who I call the potato) still used it as an excuse to cut funding as much as possible. He finally got the boot, and the South Central Wisconsin library system is finally recovering.
Glad to hear the SCWLS is doing better now.
Are local politicians that petty and bigoted in the U.S.?
@@MettMagierall politicians.
FYI. Librarians are like rock stars to me.
@@MettMagier They can be
I like the fact that my local libraries celebrate Banned Book Week by having the most frequently challenged books on displays in their central areas.
Huge W
AWESOME library/librarians!
Yep, ours too. And of course, if you ban a book, you can bet it's the first thing kids will be on the look-out for.
My high school library even had that, it was awesome
@@AbsentWithoutLeaving Only if it gets a lot of press. The simplest way to ban a book or idea is just quietly don't order it. Libraries have limited space. This means there are often big gaps in the collection. For example, few books on Islam but shelves of Christian content. There will be little fantasy but a ton of romance and thrillers. If these conservative towns had half a brain they would just quietly not order things and wait for patrons to push for it. In most small towns you would be able to limit the YA content very easily just by point at your limited shelf space and look at all these other books teens are checking out every week with long hold lists.
My mother is an assistant librarian in a conservative NC county; the amount of idiocy they have to deal with every single week is insane.
This is why I have a MLIS and believe passionately in the role of libraries, but could never work in a public library. Between the fact that they're being asked to serve as de facto social workers and the right wing nut jobs, I couldn't handle it.
Yeah, that's the problem you'll get when you maintain the best educational system in the world. A system that produces leaders by the thousands.
We, the rest of the world, are sooo jealous.
You lucky, lucky bastards!
@@FrankHeuvelman What?
@@Camazotz-kz9wr
Yes.
@@FrankHeuvelman "yes" is not an answer to the question of "what" lol.
Thank you, John and your team, for standing up for libraries and against these dummies trying to restrict their ability to do their jobs. Love, the Berainsten Bares.
As someone who has worked in libraries for years, I really appreciate this video and this sentiment. Libraries are criminally overlooked in their communities most of the time and they really enhance everyone's quality of life. Funding and supporting libraries is just about the easiest decision anyone could make. ❤
My son and I lived in my car for 2 years.
One of the first things we did was get library cards.
We couldn’t have made it without the resources at the time…
We used their computers and printer to make his resumé.
Charged our phones, used their wifi to stay in touch with his attorney and our family and friends.
We read more during those 2 years than over the previous decade.
We made the most of that dreadful time.
Did either of you read gender queer?! You should get it and read it together, there's many illustrations. That's what's being discussed.
I hope circumstances are better for you now
Thanks for sharing your story. Glad you are resourceful and hope that dreadful time is long gone and you’re both in a much better place!🥰
Big up for getting through together! ❤
@@prooveditt4839We should ban the Bible from public libraries. Infinitely more explicit and corruptive than any book you've mentioned.
I'm from Hernando crazy in Florida and our local senator sent some crazy book stuff. After reading what he claimed 6 year old kid were reading. I called and asked how many 6 year old kids were reading at that comprehension level and why did they not have awards for their elevated reading level and did they use sexy books to teach that reading level then I volunteered for his opponent
i’m from sarasota county and my mom is in education constantly dealing with these sorts. i’d really like to thank you for standing up for people like me, it means a lot.
You sir, ma’am, or mix, are a patriot and a hero. 😂
@@valentinaaugustina I'm just a pissed off American woman who loves freedom and knows that education is power, I want American kids to have it
I like how you randomly put a period in the middle of the second sentence, and then never bothered with punctuation again for the next 5 sentences.
Maybe the 6 year old could teach you a thing or two!
@@B3Band They probably couldn't - children don't normally learn proper punctuation until they're at least seven years old. I would bet they could teach you a thing or two about kindness, though!
The understandably exasperated librarian from Louisiana is a friend of mine!
And boy was she exasperated. LOL
As someone who works in a library, I can honestly say that I appreciate your deep dive, your support, and you public outcry on the BS we're going through.
As a volunteer at my local library I can honestly say the biggest problem is lack of funding and a lack of staffing. This entire video proves that we are divided more along class lines than any other divide. Wealthy libraries are worried about political agendas. I'm worried about getting patrons in the door, having enough staff to assist them, and enough funding to get a children's program going. I work a 40 hour a week job. Then I volunteer anywhere from 4-8 hours a week. I'm a board member. I run the book club. I offer board game night. We NEED volunteers.
Thank you so much for your dedication! You're an unsung hero. 💙
I'm 2nd that Greta Murphy's comment. Keep going. I hope you're in a progressive state and county.
“Beware those who deny you knowledge for they believe themselves to be your masters.”
Says the person who probably still believes that ivermectin is only used as a horse dewormer. Look right AND left before crossing the street- not just right.
Oh my, from whom did this quote originate?
Nice
@@Tricklarock Ironically, from a video game and not a book. Sid Meiers Alpha Centauri.
@@jordanwager5301 that’s not irony
Librarian here: if your kids are looking at books with content you are uncomfortable with, it's probably time to BE A PARENT. Have a chat, ask why they were drawn to the book or movie or whatever, exercise your rights and privileges as a parent to understand and guide your child's thought processes. If you don't want to do that, that's on YOU.
Edit to add: If you're seeing "sexual content" where there is none, that says more about you than the content itself. Not every picture of a foot is fetish material, and not every naked person is pornographic.
"They might have access" is a hilarious argument in a country where most households own guns
how about the actual hate speech they preach towards:
non-whites, non-christians, [sometimes] jews, non-conservatives, non-straights, etc....
that's even better. if there's anything the kids don't need to be exposed to for their entire lives is their "strong opinion" about how basically some people aren't people.
It's hilarious in a country with unregulated internet. Kids have access to more lgbtq, race and prn for free on internet than Everywhere else.
About a third of US households have one or more guns. Most of those have only one. A few have collections of antiques. And then there are some gun nuts with dozens.
@@ETXAlienRobot201 It's both funny and infuriating how they reframe their intolerance as concern for their kids. Even the incels talk like this now
@@Onigirli yep....
One of the funniest things about book looks is that the logo “BL” is commonly used online in comics/literature to indicate “boy love.” The irony
They should change it to GL...
good looks....;-J
Or they could change it to
Your
Actual
Online
Indicator of how appropriate books are
@@one-onessadhalf3393 YES! Omigod that made me laugh so hard :D
@@takeoats GL is the acronym for girl love!
I bet they must have a blast googling themselves lmfao.
I am so grateful that the libraries and me didn't remove any lgbtq+ books when I was a teenager. Those books were the safest way I had to better understand myself and not feel like such a freak for being gay. Any teen who is struggling with understanding themselves need to have these kinds of books available so they can start to find the courage needed to live a life different from others around them.
And that is precisely why people are trying to get them banned. They don't approve of your way of life and want to restrict it in any way they can :(
Libraries are amazing community resource. On top of the access to books, my local library provides computers (and Wi-Fi) to those who may not have it at home, summer camp programs for kids and teens, knitting workshops for seniors and language classes for ESL learners. I live in Canada and it's unbelievable to watch the censorship happening in the US and the threat that libraries are under :(
Shout out to librarians and public libraries! I was a library kid and it was a great place to learn and explore. My kids are library kids, too. I’m a public school science teacher so I can feel some of your pain. Why can’t people just tell THEIR kids what not to read?! Stop censoring stuff for others! And they call themselves the party of free speech.
RIGHT?!?!?! The hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me?!
Exactly. Libraries are for everyone. As adults, you are expected to exercise due diligence over your own personal selections, and those of your minor children.
John Oliver, thank you so much for covering this. If you aren't following the news closely, you have no idea how bad it is. I thought my home county was immune to this nonsense, but recently the board of supervisors passed an ordinance that establishes a "a parent committee" (there is actually no specific requirement that they have to be parents) hand picked by the board to decide what books are allowed to be in the children's section. Many of the examples that the author of the bill cited as "inappropriate" were LGBTQ and sex ed books like "Let's Talk About It." "Let's Talk About It" has been in print for decades. My own father read it to my brother and I when he decided we were old enough to learn how babies are made. It's really disturbing how far we are regressing as a society.
my state is one of the ones where this bs is prevalant. and even this video taught me something about it that i somehow missed. ...and really don't like...
My parents didn't want me reading certain things my friends were allowed to read. You know how they dealt with it? By monitoring what I checked out instead of trying to get it banned. I'm now a librarian and refuse to censor or limit what any person can check out. Its my job to give the information asked for and not assume what someone wants it for or limit it because of their age.
creepy people are reading to children ... this will not end well
@@genuineappeal3458 What lol?
@@genuineappeal3458I agree. It happens every Sunday in Churches across the nation.
@@thugpug4392 They even have targeted sessions where they separate the kids out and leave them unsupervised with teenagers!
@@Camazotz-kz9wr drag queen story hour is creepy
That line "the last two letters trying to make a new alphabet. " So good! 😂😂😂
Libraries are a national treasure. Protect them and support them. Always.
I say that about children. Libraries are just buildings
Number of children harmed by libraries: 0
I was “ raised by wolves “, my local library in South Sacramento CA. was my favorite place on earth. I got to escape the insanity in my home, read of others and how they lived in this big world, much different from myself, but sometimes the same. This let the 7 yr old me know I wasn’t alone, and growing up, I could go anywhere (else). And I did. Thank god for libraries.
Same.
Reminds me of the Caitlan Moran quote: "Keep the libraries, they are like a cross between a life raft and a cathedral in our societies. Every time one closes we all become poorer for it."
That's the library for you: recourse from chaos. Sanity at the front, mayhem in the back. Why else do you think we label everything and give it its own place?
i work in a library and a woman i know was telling me about how she'd engaged in library censorship. it was just shocking. i was like you just asked me if i liked my job, to which i said yes, and then began to tell me that you stole a book because you didn't like the content of it. what?? why would you tell me of all people that? just totally insane
I guess she didn't know that when a book goes missing, the library simply replaces it, so in the long run, she just ended up making sure the author got extra royalties, lol.
Kinda makes you wonder what she did with that book, though. Think it's now in her personal (hidden) collection?
We had a patron who wanted to check out but had two lost books on her account. She said she was keeping them because they were porn. My coworker told her that if she wanted to check out she’d have to bring them back or pay for them and she got all huffy and said she’d just bring them back. Idk if she ever did but at least she won’t be able to check out anymore until then 🤷🏽♀️
@@meggsntoast adults in 2024: I can't afford a house because of student loans! Adults in 2044: I can't afford a house because of the late fees on those books I never returned to the library!
South Dakota's governor confessed to the world that she shot her dog on purpose, so I'm not sure this confession would surprise me. People are real dumb.
@@MagnumCarta My library quit late fee. It still feels strange.
There is an added layer that wasnt mentioned here: librarians and other library staff are not paid a living wage so having the threat of prosecution or job loss for doing the job is extra felt. I am a former librarian (with the masters degree and 10 years of experience) and legit one could not live on the wage let alone save any money for emergencies. A lot of folks who loved helping their community through being a librarian have had to change careers between not making enough money to rent a one bedroom apartment and the stress of the job which usually also requires nights, weekends and dealing with being threatened with physical harm and cleaning up bodily fluids regularly.
I was in charge of weeding for my branch though so I did get to see some interesting books! Like how SO many romance books had water damage (beach/bath reads) and also how political commentaries from the early 00s do NOT hold up when it comes to how they refer to other people.
I worked in a library once. A lot of those older patrons were checking out westerns and romance novels. These book bans would have a much bigger impact on older people trying to read their romance novels than it would on kids.
we can only hope, old people are more likely to get involved in local politics so maybe this issue solves itself that way
@@user-cp9yo4jk9b The old folks checking out romance novels at a public library are not the demographic leading the charge against books. They're lonely and seeking socialization thru fantasy and a thirds space like the library.
You know damn well an ultra conservative elderly person wouldn't be caught dead openly checking out a saucy romance novel. They buy that shit on their kindle, then yell at the young people for being sluts for reading the same thing in print.
023
When I first arrived in the US in 1999, the local Public Library in Brooklyn (near Ft. Hamilton St.) helped me get my first job in a startup in Southern California. I used the library's computer to write my first resume and send it over. LIBRARIES must be kept free!
A person was talking about how libraries are essentially a thing of the past and I had to explain the amzing feat of the library system and how we should fight to expand it. Its the most amazing resource that we get as americans. We can't lose it.
so in this glorious future of his that doesn't need libraries, I'm assuming no one is also homeless or poor and in need of free learning resources, internet access, safety... Right?
It's a nice quiet place to study, do computer work, or just read a book too. My local one has a nice 2nd story balcony with a view of a new park now
The most common talking point I hear is that it's a waste of tax dollars because "everything is on the internet now." The overwhelming majority of books have never been digitized and do not exist on the internet in any form. The same is true of music, movies, and every other kind of media or art.
The fact that it is an essential public good is exactly why right wingers are trying to eliminate it.
@@Revelwoodie Well, I think most recorded and published music and movies are digitalized.
Just got around to watching this video, but I am 21 and I was raised in a non-Christian but still fairly Conservative Asian family.
I wasn't allowed to read any books other than ones at home, let alone go anywhere alone except school until I graduated. I missed out on so many social cues, interactions, and potential relationships because I felt uneducated and inadequate. Of course I could read from my school library but it was nailed in me to respect my parent's wishes so I never really tried to.
Isolation is not an option for teens, from personal experience, I can tell you that sexual curiousity or simply curiousity about what we get told but is never explained never goes away, it just gets repressed or channeled through rebellious behavior. Not knowing means feeling isolated from the ingroup that's laughing at crass jokes and making questionable remarks. It means being mocked when asking questions that seem hard to you but obvious for others. Teens are vicious or at least they were a couple years ago for my experience. There were many times when these experiences made my self esteem shrink but I was forced to put on a bravado for my parents or people they would invite over.
Now that I am allowed more independence and see what I've been missing, there are still times where I wonder how much happier and well informed I could have been about the world and other people's desires and experiences if only I had the ability to learn without barriers. Of course it makes sense to stop a child from consuming porn or extremely violent material, but as we get older its not as if our adult preferences and experiences suddenly snap into reality when we become 18! There needs to a soft introduction to adult topics because frankly being an adult is hard and if you only let your child learn about adult experiences after they become an adult (18+) they've already missed out on relationships and social experiences that seem to formative for a child's adjustment into adulthood around 18.
Treat your child as a being with their own thoughts and opinions and foster their curiosity through meaningful answers. Just because you're opposed to a certain line of reasoning doesn't mean it will come obviously to your kids, so explain your thought process and respond to your child sincerely and hopefully in doing so you may find flaws in your beliefs, if not, then learn to tolerate and teach to tolerate as that is a skill that seems to be dissappearing in the modern world very very rapidly. That or risk having a socially inept child who transitions into actual adulthood in their early to mid 20s and lives life with an inherent lack of experience compared to their peers. Not to mention the pent up frustration, sadness, or resentment that child may hold for not being given a chance to engage with their peers in a meaningful way. (i.e what I still feel like sometimes).
As a German this kinda rings some alarming bells
What's wild to me is that conservatives call us fascists for not letting them be mean to gay people, yet completely justify stuff like these book bans.
@formalbug5716 while also doing demonstrations in nazi symbols and screaming about cleansing.
Because they hate books so they do not know the symbols they wear or the words they say.
The TV fox just told them to and not question.
@@formalbug5716 you are though. funny how your hate speech laws are back firing when it comes to criticizing Israel. in your country being anti zionist is literally antisemtic. Got to love the irony
As an American who even generally knows what happened in Germany, it all seems like it's happening all over again. This is how it all started. History is repeating itself. And we wonder why the politicians that support this kind of shit have followers wearing Nazi apparel 😞. Just like the saying, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it
@@chrischika7026 sir this is a library
I'm not saying it's ironic but it appears conservatives who hate being called stupid, try consistently to take down every place where people can educate themselves.
That is intentional. Republicans have been killing our education system for decades. All while making their voters think it is good. All because they know educated voters don't vote republican.
It's easier to keep people thinking what u want them to think, when there is no opposing opinion.
A certain guy, with a weird mustache knew darn well what could happen, in that case...
But Charlie Chaplin was a darn smart man, so he warned the society about that other guy...
@@AskanHelstroem just hink back to European middleages when books were written in Latin specifically to keep the knowledge from peasant.
If everyone is stupid, then no one is.
You know that the world's knowledge isn't held in limited books at limited places right? They served their purpose and have been replaced by Kindle, audibl and chromebooks.
My favourite part of this piece is the Byronstone Boars gaslighting
We see what you did there. @rintye6606
The _Bradston Beagles_ joke was easily the highlight of the episode, that's for sure.
I think he made it clear that it has always been the Berenstain boars with the "ai" not "ei"
I was thinking he's a little late to the mandela joke, but he kept delivering it in a refreshing way! 😅
Damn I legitimately remember it as the Borgenstein Bengals
Fantastic yet terrifying episode! Terrifying that our Libraries are under attack. I worked in a Library in 2001 - 2002, and loved the job so much! The people who worked there were mostly academics, former teachers, or simply people who loved books. The public loved the Library. This attack on libraries and the slander, is just insane to me. On another note, Loved the Berenstain Bears jokes!!! Thank you for another wonderful show and for the wake up call.
Gary the Goose and his gas on the loose is actually a really great book about self-esteem, friendship, etiquette, and problem solving. He has bad gas, it causes him to nearly become a social outcast because it’s constant, and his friends teach him when and how to fart so that it won’t embarrass him or cause friends to avid you. It is also hilarious and gets kids excited to read.
Sounds like a book t'Rump should read.
I bought my 6 year old grandson the farting reindeer book and My Butt is so Christmassy. They are amazing.
@@jeepliving1 he might need it to help him in court lol
You actually read it unlike these ignorant zealots who really would love to ban everything but the Bible.
Somewhat sad. A bit of nutritionist advice would have helped the poor goose to solve that problem, instead of hiding it ;)
My Mom was awesome.
When I was 10yrs old she came into my room, told me the book she was holding had been banned from the high school library. She and tossed me a copy of "Catcher in the Rye" and told me to read it.
Having gotten part-way through thst one I'm gonna say the ban wasn't a bad idea. Boring af. Maybe emo was just bigger when I was in HS. Had a release valve.
@ZMB-on5ub i think the point here is that books can be banned for all sorts of reasons. Banning that one was a good idea because boring af. The suicide at the end just made it kind of difficult to follow. With america's robust mental healthcare system that sort of complex reasoning is no longer necessary.
And then you went on to kill John Lennon?
/s
Catcher in the rye is a hugely overrated book. Hated reading it in high school
I read Catcher in the Rye willingly as a teenager and I'm going to have to chime in that it was one of the most boring reads I've ever experienced. Nevertheless, I will fight for its right to exist.
A German philosopher, Henrich Heinz, stated ""where they burn books, there eventually they burn people."
He wrote this in early 1900's. Edit: it was 1821.
The same thing is now happening in the US.
Don't give these people ideas. Many are looking forward to it, but for the time being books is all they can burn.
@@josecipriano3048I am sure they are already looking forward to it!
Quick correction: The quote was from Heinrich Heine’s 1821 novel Almansor. However, the quote is often associated with 1900s Germany for obvious reasons.
@@elius1548 Thank you for the amendment
I agree with your comment
John Oliver deserves some kind of medal for the content and delivery of each show, along with all who work on this show. Can we get more John Oliver endorsed merch, a new stamp for the cause perhaps, a John Oliver library with the fired librarian head staff. I suddenly can't stop thinking about how fun a trip to Cabo would be with John, ao I can listen to him speak Spanish. And the opposing white man with the moustache at the meeting needs to be found and interviewed because hes just awesome. Thank you LWT always good content.
One of the books showed in this piece, Guy Stuff, was illustrated by my brother. He's a very successful children's illustrator for Chronicle Books; he did it because he respected the author, and knew the subject would be handled delicately. I bought it years ago for my son, and you know what? He's kind of embarrassed to read it because it's his favorite uncle, but it also means that we have a casual way to open the conversations when we have them. An uncomfortable book doesn't need to be banned, sometimes it needs to be read and talked about.
Indeed. Plus, kids NEED these books. Parents don't always do their jobs. I went to school with a girl whose mother told her that if a boy touches a girl on the stomach while she's wearing a bathing suit, she will get pregnant. She was 15 at the time, I think, and believed her mother wholeheartedly.
@@user-vp4qq4it7i Also even with good parents sometimes kids and teens are just shy with these kinds of questions, its good to have a place they know they can get answers without the wild speculation that comes from asking the internet
The sarcasm and condescention dripping from "...ya' know, filth." is glorious.
As a public librarian, all I can say is,
Thank you.
I’ve been hoping for you to cover this topic for quite a while, and we need all the support we can get.
Thank you for being a librarian! May we some day push through this madness!
It's horrifying
Former reference desk clerk through work study. This is some bullshit and we need to stand against it. Support your local libraries.