Critic refuses to return sex education books to library

[almaty 19]

LEWISTON, Maine -- A Lewiston woman who said she was "horrified" by the content of an acclaimed sex education book has checked out copies from two libraries and refuses to give them back.

JoAn Karkos made her feelings known in letters to the Lewiston and Auburn public libraries. Each letter was accompanied by a check for $20.95 to cover the cost of the book, "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health."

In one letter, Karkos wrote, “I have been sufficiently horrified of the illustrations and sexually graphic, amoral, abnormal contents. I will not be returning the books.”

Lewiston library director Rick Speer returned the check, along with a form Karkos could use to request that the book be removed from the shelves. But he said he may seek help from police if she doesn't return what she borrowed.

Robie H. Harris' book was published in 1993 and features frank but cartoon-like illustrations of naked people in chapters on topics that include abstinence, masturbation and sexually transmitted diseases. Its publisher said it has been sold in 25 countries and translated into 21 languages.

In a 2001 interview, Robie said, “A number of people told me not to put in abortion, that we would sell less books, that it would be controversial. Any book on sex in the USA is controversial if it has to do with reproduction and about making choices. I knew it was important to present both sides of the issue -- pro-choice, pro-life. If I left it out, or if we left out particular drawings or other topics -- I mentioned sexual abuse or sexually transmitted diseases -- it would be saying, ‘We can’t talk about those things. You shouldn’t know about them.’"

She added, “Our kids already know about 99.9 percent of this stuff. What concerned me is that they have a lot of misinformation, no matter how much they tell us, and I wanted them to get accurate information. So I think the litmus test for me was, ‘What’s in the best interest of the child? What’s going to help a child stay healthy?’”

The book topped the American Library Association's list of the most frequently challenged books of 2005, where it was cited for homosexuality, nudity, sex education, abortion, its religious viewpoint and being unsuited for its intended age group.

intersting..i think the library has the right to have this book..as it is information and a reference .

[ChristinaM 0]

My god, I'm so proud to live in Maine.

[pedroh 21]

yay, America is so backwards sometimes.. I love the moral authority some people claim to have

[russ 1]

The classic lie - that if you ignore something, it doesn't really exist. Good grief.

[almaty 19]

The classic lie - that if you ignore something, it doesn't really exist. Good grief.

sooooooooo true brother russ

[Jasman0717 9]

Oh brother, another censor

[Artegal 1]

If I as the Librarian I would ask to have theift charges filed against JoAn Karkos. She clearly intended to steal the books in question, and her act of sending in 20 dollars does not free her of commiting the crime. Its a library not a bookstore. If she does not want to read those books then do not check them out.

[Peikko 1,575]

True that, although there could have been a 'publicity' angle all along too.

I guess if the library had simply used the money to replace the books, she would have tried to check them out again. They could have recalled her library card though. Would she then have resorted to try to stealing the books?

It is odd that people think it's ok to inflict their values on others though.

Edited September 19, 2007 by Purple_Hibiscus

[LondonGooner 0]

If I as the Librarian I would ask to have theift charges filed against JoAn Karkos. She clearly intended to steal the books in question, and her act of sending in 20 dollars does not free her of commiting the crime. Its a library not a bookstore. If she does not want to read those books then do not check them out.

What I think she was objecting to was not so much the content but the way the material was presented. However, as I have not seen the books in question I can only speculate on that point. As a Christian, I too would be offended if the book presented issues such as abortion and homosexuality as alternative but acceptable lifestyle choices. Alas, I suspect I am opening a can of worms here by saying that and I suspect I shall be in the minority with such a view point...

-Runs for cover and grabs the popcorn on the way out...-

[Artegal 1]

As a Christian would you steal that which does not belong to you? No matter the reasons behind the objection to the material--it is stealing if you never intended to return the books. You are not one of those Christians that think its okay to blow up abortion clinics or assasinate OBGYN Doctors are you?

Edited September 19, 2007 by Artegal

[Peikko 1,575]

Anyone is perfectly at liberty to feel offended by anything. However, to then take this feeling of offense and use it to justify denying someone else the right to make their own choices is wrong.

[Jasman0717 9]

If I as the Librarian I would ask to have theift charges filed against JoAn Karkos. She clearly intended to steal the books in question, and her act of sending in 20 dollars does not free her of commiting the crime. Its a library not a bookstore. If she does not want to read those books then do not check them out.

Maybe she could do time with the Juice

[LondonGooner 0]

As a Christian would you steal that which does not belong to you? No matter the reasons behind the objection to the material--it is stealing if you never intended to return the books. You are not one of those Christians that think its okay to blow up abortion clinics or assasinate OBGYN Doctors are you?

No, I don't agree with her course of action. Two wrongs don't make a right so stealing books from the library because you disagree with the content is also morally reprehensible. Besides where would it end? Muslims stealing Vegetales books because of the psuedo-Christian message within those stories? Homosexuals stealing every 99c Mills and Boon trashy-romance novel because of the lack of representation of the gay community in those books? Vegetarians stealing cookbooks to discourage people from eating meat? (I am vegetarian by the way). If this scenario were played out for real our public libraries would be empty in a very short space of time. And, no as a Christian I don't think it is okay to blow up abortion clinics and OBGYN doctors. Boy, you really mis-read my original post and then some... but that is not surprising coming from a Hillary supporter. Urgh.

Anyone is perfectly at liberty to feel offended by anything. However, to then take this feeling of offense and use it to justify denying someone else the right to make their own choices is wrong.

Absolutely. However, I think society has the right to protest and speak up against objectional content.

[Peikko 1,575]

No one is saying you can't object. Speak up all you like. However, while people of all religions, or indeed of no religion are welcomed into this society, you can't expect everyone to agree as to what is 'objectionable content'.

Edited September 19, 2007 by Purple_Hibiscus

[Artegal 1]

As a Christian would you steal that which does not belong to you? No matter the reasons behind the objection to the material--it is stealing if you never intended to return the books. You are not one of those Christians that think its okay to blow up abortion clinics or assasinate OBGYN Doctors are you?

No, I don't agree with her course of action. Two wrongs don't make a right so stealing books from the library because you disagree with the content is also morally reprehensible. Besides where would it end? Muslims stealing Vegetales books because of the psuedo-Christian message within those stories? Homosexuals stealing every 99c Mills and Boon trashy-romance novel because of the lack of representation of the gay community in those books? Vegetarians stealing cookbooks to discourage people from eating meat? (I am vegetarian by the way). If this scenario were played out for real our public libraries would be empty in a very short space of time. And, no as a Christian I don't think it is okay to blow up abortion clinics and OBGYN doctors. Boy, you really mis-read my original post and then some... but that is not surprising coming from a Hillary supporter. Urgh.

I don't think I misread anything--you stated you were opening a can of worms and then you said you sit back and eat your popcorn--so you clearly intended to attract an opposing view. And nothing about the original story related to being a Christian view to be opposed to the sex-ed books.

But then again you apparently have something else in common with JoAn Karkos--she went to the library to find controversy--you are not just handed a random book as you walk into a library--you have to actively seek out the content you are wishing to check--and then once you find what you sought, you are then offended? I guess that is what you are doing now--you interjected your Christian belief that had nothing to do with the original story and with the can worms and pop corn run for cover statement you are too inviting controversy.

Edited September 19, 2007 by Artegal