Idiot Librarian

[Macreno]

I was at my school looking for books on paganim when I asked one of the librarians if they had any books on it she started not really yelling but (i dont know the word) about devil worship and satanism.

This really annoyed me... I just thought I should vent :D

[Jenett]

Well, librarians are people, too. And school libraries sometimes have different requirements from the Master's degree in Library/Info Science (which is required for most unversity library jobs, and many public library reference/information jobs.)

The MLIS is very heavy on the professional behavior part, and there's a lot of discussion about how library ethics mean you help library patrons find the information *they* want, not tell them they shouldn't want it.

So I'm sorry you ran into someone who doesn't get that part of the profession. (If you don't mind being snarky at the librarian, I can give you some stuff to say that might annoy her, but which has to do with professional behavior. On the other hand, if you need to be in school there for a while, probably not worth the bother.)

On the other hand, school libraries mostly don't have a whole lot on Paganism (whether or not they're a religious school - and if your school is, then there's more reason they might not.)

School libraries need to focus on the courses taught at that school. Does your school offer a comparative religions class?

The school I work at (in the library) does, but even then, the books we have on Paganism come at it from a more academic point of view - not "how to cast circle" or "How to do rituals" or whatever, but some background and history and approaches.

[Chibi-Fallon]

That's why you use the computer to find out if they have any books on Paganism. :lol: Don't you have a public library you can get to? My high school library had about 10 books from the '70's and that was about it.

[yavanna]

Every librarian I've ever had the pleasure to meet has been open, understanding and on the whole very nice ---- except one.

In our public library there's a librarian who will NOT allow me to check out pagan books. Seriously, the first time I brought a few through her line she told me she wouldn't touch the "vile things" and made me wait while she called someone else to check them out for me *rolls eyes*

Well, I suppose she's following her own religious convictions, but still, its a public library don't I have the right to check out any book I want without feeling like a criminal? I mean they have books on sex there too, how does she deal with those?

[Pol]

Every librarian I've ever had the pleasure to meet has been open, understanding and on the whole very nice ---- except one.

In our public library there's a librarian who will NOT allow me to check out pagan books. Seriously, the first time I brought a few through her line she told me she wouldn't touch the "vile things" and made me wait while she called someone else to check them out for me *rolls eyes*

Well, I suppose she's following her own religious convictions, but still, its a public library don't I have the right to check out any book I want without feeling like a criminal? I mean they have books on sex there too, how does she deal with those?

Probably with condoms on her hands.
:lookaroun

[Élistariel]

I think you should report her to the principal/dean/whoever. The library is her place of WORK. That is what she is there to do. Being a librarian means she is there to help YOU. Her religion should have no bearing on helping those who come to her. She has every right to believe what she believes, however, she has no right to impose those views onto you.

[WitchJezebel]

I probably would have said that it was her job to be a librarian, not a preacher and until they ban those books from the library she should let me check them out without comments. But that's just me - I don't take that kind of nonsense from anyone (and I get alot of it).

[SSanf]

I agree, this should be reported, in as polite a way as you can manage, to her superviser.

If no one complains, nothing will change.

[Phoenix Snowrose]

wow...that sucks. I know that in my middle school there were never any books on paganism or the occult. There were about other religions and I voiced my opinion about that once, they said that the books on other religions were for educational and research purposes...so what if someone want to do a report on paganism or other new age or occult relgions. what then? Now in High School my library now has a few. I mean it's not in big demand but we do have a couple books. so I guess it grows with time. I think my middle school figured we weren't mature enough to make our own decisions...whatever...at least the town library has a good selection. :) I hope all goes well in future endevors...and I hope you do finally find a library or convince yours to start carrying the books you need.

[FaeryChild]

On the other hand, school libraries mostly don't have a whole lot on Paganism (whether or not they're a religious school - and if your school is, then there's more reason they might not.)


Actually amusingly enough there were more pagan books at my high school (which was Catholic) than there was at my local public library (which was tiny). Sophomores had to do a research report on The Crucible so I think that was the main reason they were there.

[RoseKitten]

That's why you use the computer to find out if they have any books on Paganism. :lol: Don't you have a public library you can get to? My high school library had about 10 books from the '70's and that was about it.

See, my HS blocked off almost anything Pagan... witch, wicca, satanism (Ok, i understand this, as it was a very very christian public school, but it still isn't right) and tons of other "out there" religious stuff you could find on the internet... it just bugged me...

[aluokaloo]

Probably with condoms on her hands.
:lookaroun



:lol:

[yavanna]

Probably with condoms on her hands.
:lookaroun

:dancy: LOL, I should try and check out Ann Hoopers Illustrated Kama Sutra next time I'm there and see what she does...

[LostSheep]

I was at my school looking for books on paganim when I asked one of the librarians if they had any books on it she started not really yelling but (i dont know the word) about devil worship and satanism.

This really annoyed me... I just thought I should vent :D

I tried looking for anything on paganism/wicca in our school library, drew a complete blank; I don't think it's because of religious reasons - MW and anything else pagan-related isn't blocked on the computers - probably just because it isn't thought of as a 'real' religion. I reckon the staff wouldn't go on about satanism, they'd just look at me blankly.

[misty]

Report the librarian. Her job is to help students find books, not judge them.

[blackfire1985]

u know for someone who works with that many books a day i would have thought she would have at least picked up one book at least and glimpsed at it, some people are so narrowminded

[Gypsy flower]

Probably with condoms on her hands.
:lookaroun
:thewave:
I cant stand closed minded opioinated people I would report her as well!

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

The library of the Catholic senior school (grades 5-8) I worked at in Alberta had some fairly decent books there in good old 133, as well as some adolescent fiction - a bunch of books in the 'A Circle of Three' series.
The Hamilton public library must have just got some new money for books, because I've seen two copies of the Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells and the Book of Pagan Prayer. the Terryberry branch is actually better-stocked than Central (which has five floors!) with such gems as the Three Books of Occult Philosophy. I've never had any trouble from librarians at all and I've read a a lot of wierd books from them. We even have the Confessions of Aleister Crowley and the Complete Astrological Writings.
My high school library had Witch-Cult in Western Europe and I must have been the only one to check it out in ten years. I was only 17 but even then I noticed odd correlations between it and the Alexandrian Book of Shadows. I did two reports on witchcraft while in high school and I found a lot of good information in that library.

[Jenett]

Actually amusingly enough there were more pagan books at my high school (which was Catholic) than there was at my local public library (which was tiny). Sophomores had to do a research report on The Crucible so I think that was the main reason they were there.

Were they books on modern Paganism or books on historical witch trials, though?

We're a pretty well-stocked library with a good budget and a comparative religions class. We've got about 8-10 books on the witch trials (both in Salem and Europe), a few of which have one chapter on modern witchcraft (most of which would not be terribly useful to someone trying to learn it.)

And then we've got two books, as of the most recent book order (we've had one for a few years, one just came in) on NeoPaganism as a religion. We don't have any of the Wicca 101 books, because they're not relevant to our classes, and because for the assignments where they might turn up, it'd be better for us to do interlibrary loan requests or find copies at public libraries in the area.

While I'm posting, let me throw out a few links on library ethics....

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/codeofethics/codeethics.htm is from the American Library Association (the main organisation for all kinds of librarians in the US and Canada)

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement.htm is the Freedom to Read statement

and http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.htm is the Library Bill of Rights.

General professional code is that MLS/MLIS degreed librarians should be familiar with these, and if they're *not* following them, should be able to professionally explain why. (F'ex, they're working in a private religious school, which is not mandatory for the general population, and where people who go there should be aware there are other limits.)

[Agaliha]

That sucks that your school librarian acted like that.

I am going to college to become a librarian!-- Master's degree in Library Science. I'm lucky the the university in my state has the program-- not every state offers it! I love libraries and books.

I have never had that problem with any librarians I have come in contact with. The ones in my HS were my friends and I even TAed for them for experience. TThe main librarian there had a Masters in Library Sceince and a masters in teaching, so she was also a teacher.
They would have never acted like that or said that. I talked to the assistant libarian about religions and she was always interested and respectful.

All I wanted to say is if you are looking for Pagan books a school library is not really the best place to look. Often times if there is books on religions it's just the basic intro books-- and I mean basics. Not the type of books you would want to read for starting the craft/practice of Wicca, Paganism or Witchcraft.

If you want Pagan books try your PUBLIC library, one that is not connected with the school. Mine has a database online where I can put books on hold, search the whole library system and manage my account. My system which has like 30 different indivudual branches has over 150 Pagan books AND if you want a book that they don't have you can request it and they will get it.
When I go to mine all the books are out in the open on the shelves, not locked up. You should never have to ask to see them, you should be free to check them out. And public libraries cannt have any bias in their books-- if there are Christan books thers much be Buddhist one, Jewish ones, and Pagan ones, etc.

Librarians at public librarian have their own personal views as does everyone but they cannot comment on them, they can't tell you it is satanism and whatever else. If they do, tell and they will get in trouble. I have checked out tons of pagan books and they don't bat an eye lash. They don't care. The only thing they say to me of "wow, lots of books, you much love to read!"

So for pagan based books, don't go to the school library...go to a public one.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

One of the members of the Wiccan Church of Canada here in Hamilton has got them to make all the books on witchcraft confined volumes, so they can't leave the library. people tend to tear them up and deface them. I can understand his point, but I still think it's sort of dumb. I wouldn't want to sit in a library reading the Three Books of Occult Philosophy in a library, it'd be too distracting. Agrippa is so dull you need full concentration.

[Ninjakitten]

I was at my school looking for books on paganim when I asked one of the librarians if they had any books on it she started not really yelling but (i dont know the word) about devil worship and satanism.

This really annoyed me... I just thought I should vent :D


Depending on whether or not she also impeded your efforts to check out the books, I would have said something like "I understand what you're saying, but my research requires me to find out from experts who know the issue in depth" (it's called being politely rude), or, if she pulled the "won't touch those vile things" thing with me, I would have said "I need these books for some scholarly research I am doing. If you are not willing to do your job by checking these out to me like a professional librarian, who is basically working in a government run research facility, I will make sure you are removed from your job." with a stone look on my face for that one.

[jcldragon]

The head reference librarian at my local public library, just happens to be a Master Mason. I know what he would do. He would try to help you narrow your Search...

"Are you interested in ancient Greek or Roman Mythology? Or perhaps you'd like a book on modern Paganism by John Gardener? I know we have some books on the Celtic Tradition over here... Perhaps an overview? The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P Hall... or perhaps Scott Cunningham? He's always a good read..."

[NiftyWings]

If it's a public school or library, they are funded with government money. So not only do you have the professional standards for librarians, you have the prohibitions on religious discrimination. Go to a supervisor (or higher, if need be), and start making noise about that!

[coyoger]

Save time and trouble. If your lib. works with the Dewy Decimal system, look to 290's and 133's. They can be found in other locations, but these are your best bets.