Actually that’s partially incorrect. Yes, the book being placed on hold by the girl is what caused Cook and Boisvert to get fired, but the maelstrom started because Cook found the graphic novel shelved in its correct section directly beside the Young Adult section. This is when she began to check out the graphic novel herself to keep it in circulation without actually being seen. When she went to renew it is when she discovered the hold and used her employee credentials to look up the private information on the girl before making the decision, with Boisvert, to release the hold and continue to renew it indefinitely.

Just to clarify, the book was placed on hold, not checked out in the library by the girl. Where it is shelved in the library had no bearing on the chain of events.

This is not China, nor Iran, nor England or other such countries where the state takes its nanny-role to extremes. Can an 11-year-old check out any book from the Fiction Section, or the Mystery Section? How about from what I call the bodice-ripper section? If so, then there is no justification for sequestering a graphic novel such as LXG.

“Get Out, or Get in Line. You have got to do one or the other — now make your choice. If you work for a man, in heaven’s name work for him…. If you must vilify, condemn and eternally disparage, why, resign your position, and then when you are outside, damn to your heart’s content. But I pray you, as long as you are a part of an institution, do not condemn it. Not that you will injure the institution — not that — but when you disparage a concern of which you are a part, you disparage yourself.” — Elbert Hubbard

I think we are saying the same thing, but from different angles. Should the material be rated? Perhaps. Not being familiar with this particular graphic novel, I can’t make any comments on its content.

I believe that we as parents should be the ones to monitor what our children are involved in. I do not want people with what appear to be, in this case especially, vastly different mores from what I hold, to make determinations for my child based on their personal viewpoints.

Are you saying that we shouldn’t TRUST the library staff? That, as a parent, I must be there to as – your words – as a checkpoint because the library staff can’t be trusted with my children?

My wife and I routinely review what my children are BRINGING home from the library – I don’t expect the library to have the same standards as I do! However, I don’t expect the library to give my children unfettered access to everything that they would an adult.

Some of us do not need a system to assist us in parenting our children.

If the graphic novel has a rating, then so be it. However, if there is no rating involved, and if I allow my child to read such things, it is not for some strangers to decide whether or not I am correct in my views.

The village concept, which I believe I have seen quoted in such circumstances, is not a valid one. It does not take a village to raise a child, it takes involved parents.

I am pleased that these women have been fired after violating their professional organization’s code of ethics. Bravo to those who made that decision.