1. rohit | 10.20.08

I think it is a good idea if children are left out of the political struggles. Older children should be acquainted with the fact that some relationships are gay, and be tolerant. As for younger children, it is best to leave such issues to parents. from the titles of the two books they look like they are intended for young children.

2. Marilyn LaCourt | 10.20.08

I have not read these books so I don’t know how well they are written, or for what age group.
I could see the possibility of the books being helpful for gay and lesbian parents who might have trouble explaining their family to their own children, or perhaps parents of children who have friends with two mothers or two fathers might want to use the books to explain things to their own children.
I don’t think the books should be dumped. Perhaps they should require parental discretion and guidance.

3. Rick | 10.20.08

This is why homosexuals continue to get resistance from regular people. They keep forcing their agenda and political ideals on people that don’t agree, then they are surprised by the poor reaction. If homosexual couples can afford to have a child they should be able to afford to buy the books they need for their own use, in their own home.

4. Cristi Jenkins | 10.20.08

I’m a librarian who is familiar with both of these books. I would agree that there are other picture books which may be flashier or more appealing to some readers, but their construction and content was perfectly adequate for inclusion in our library collection–which obviously is not the Wasilla library. Since tax payer dollars go to fund the library and its services, the general standard for a good public library requires that it house items for all members of the community. There have been very few picture books written on this subject, and in my opinion, consideration for their inclusion should have been given just on that merit. APA-approved statistics indicate that gay people are no more likely to commit crimes than are straight people, and that children raised by gay and lesbian parents are just as healthy as kids raised by heterosexuals. I find it unfortunate that people buy into the unfounded ideas that gay people do not benefit society and are somehow harmful to others. Since when do our kids and families not matter just as much as everyone elses’? When is society finally going to get it that gay parents are just as committed to nurturing and caring for our children as everyone else? We pay out taxes, and yes, we are moral beings. We deserve a voice in the library too–since it is a public resource and exists to serve all of the community. Hopefully one day, people will choose to look beyond their unsubstantiated fears, and be able see gays and lesbians as a valued part of the human family too, becuase we are. We mingle our voices with humanity everyday–even if it is via a children’s picture book. I’m glad my library sees the value of having a diverse collection.

5. Terry Dawson | 10.20.08

Whoa, and here I thought homosexuals were regular people. Donating books is hardly forcing an agenda, it’s offering one. Namely, that they’d like to be understood and accepted. Don’t see much evidence of any force force here — the library can add the books, or not.

FWIW, I have read these books, and they may not be great books, but they are pretty good for parents to use with children who may have questions about the gay couple down the block, or their friend who has two dads. At our library, we have them in a parents collection.

But I absolutely support the Wasilla Library’s right and responsibility to decide what books are right for their community. Neither Michael Petrelis nor anyone else can “make sure” their ideas are on Wasilla’s shelves. It’s nice to make things available, but librarians have to decide, and answer to their communities for their decision.

6. Sue | 10.20.08

Other libraries have also rejected _Heather Has Two Mommies_ and _Daddy’s Roommate_ based on the poor quality of the text, illustrations and binding. And yet other libraries have acquired them precisely because there is so little published of a positive nature for young readers that acknowledges the reality that defines the home life of increasing numbers of kids with same-sex parents. All children should have a right to see themselves in the books in their public library.

If Wasilla Public Library owns other, better books for kids that address this topic, then the librarians can certainly exercise their professional judgment to reject these unsolicited gifts from someone outside their community (though Michael Petrelis’s heart was in the right place). However, if they are claiming to apply literary and physical quality standards to screen out viewpoints they don’t like, then they are acting as censors, and that is unacceptble.

7. Nancy | 10.21.08

I was surprised that the Wasilla Public Library director offered such a lame excuse for rejecting the two books with homosexual themes, given the strong defense of the freedom to read made by the former director when confronted by Mayor Sarah Palin about censoring books in 1996. Libraries re-bind books regularly, so even if the binding is weak, there are remedies. Furthermore, although the library is short on space, it’s hard to imagine that two controversial picture books will take up much room on the shelves. In the mid 1990’s, then City Councilwoman Palin questioned the library’s purchase of Daddy’s Roommate. The book was also challenged in the Anchorage Public Schools. Although donations should not automatically result in the selection of a title for a library’s collection, it seems as if rejecting Daddy’s Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies requires tougher scrutiny. Libraries are there for everyone in the community. Too bad that those who might want to read this book were denied the opportunity by the current library director.

8. Lydia | 10.21.08

If the library wants a book of good quality and beautiful illustrations, they should get TANGO MAKES THREE by Parnell, Richardson and Cole. It is a beautifully told and true story of two male penguins who wanted a baby. Homosexuality is a fact of Nature in alll species, not just humans. It is time people accepted that.

9. ED | 10.21.08

The Wasilla Assembly of God, is a deeply conservative Pentecostal church. This church, where Sarah Palin grew up and was baptized, preaches some of the most extreme religious views in the nation. That’s why the books were rejected.

10. Norman Oder | 10.21.08

The story about the Wasilla Public Library’s decision actually appeared first in Library Journal magazine, and director Martin-Albright offered a much longer explanation for the library’s action. By the way, the library does have the book And Tango Makes Three.

See http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6604854.htm.html

11. Susanne Johnson | 10.21.08

(The following comment is directed to Rick–see his comments above–and to all persons who agree with his point of view.) “This is why [heterosexuals] continue to get resistance from us’regular’ people. They keep forcing their agenda and political ideals on people that don’t agree, then they are surprised by the poor reaction. If [heterosexual] couples can afford to have a child they should be able to afford to buy the books they need for their own use, in their own home.” Rick, everytime you make a bigoted statement about gays (or any other group you don’t like and don’t include as members of the ‘regular’ human community), please substitute your own name (or your own group identity), then read the statement back to yourself (out loud!), and see if you then agree with your own point of view AS IT APPLIES TO YOU YOURSELF. Humanity will never last if people like you make up one set of rules for your own kind, and then another set of rules for people you dub as “out groups” or not worthy of the description of “regular people.” According to the rules you suggest: if you yourself can afford to have your own children, then plan on buying all the books they’ll ever read, and never, never plan on using the public library. If those rules are appropriate for homosexual couples, then they’re good enough for heterosexual couples. ARE YOU READ TO LIVE BY YOUR OWN RULES? I can safely guess that you’re not.

12. Becky E. | 10.21.08

Libraries absolutely should have the right to refuse donations. Otherwise, they’d be forced to include books from the groups who claim the Holocaust never happened and the moon landing was a hoax. What we must fervently hope for is that they choose based on what is factual and age-appropriate. I can’t help but see the parallels between the homosexual marriage debate and the outraged “moral” response to interracial marriage not too many decades past. I’d hope that our nation’s libraries would promote positive learning opportunities about ALL GOD’S PEOPLE.

13. Joe Naftel | 10.21.08

Sorry, I have to disagree. Even the bigoted wack job who is clearly a sandwich short of a picnic has a right to have his views aired and the library as a public venue has the right to expose his/her idiocy and ignorance for the rest of us to see.The best way to expose vermin is by shining a light on them.

14. Eileen Hale | 10.21.08

Norman, thank you for that article - I was glad to read a much more complete discussion of the issue. As an artist and lover of children’s picture books, I take some exception to their calling the illustrations of “Heather Has Two Mommies” dated - the illustrations look pretty neat, to me, based on the little I’ve seen; but I know that library collections do change with time, and if library visitors lose interest in a book, I can’t argue with that. (The article says that the Wasilla Library has had both these books in the past.) Sometimes that’s what Inter Library Loans are for…

15. Joseph Nardone | 10.21.08

Homosexuals are emotionally disturbed people who need immediate psychotherapy, Dr. Albert Ellis in his book “Homosexuality: Its causes and Cures.” The late Tim Russer had a 1974 clip on his show where Mr Johnson of Masters & Johnson of the book, “Homosexuality” that no one is born a homosexual. There is a religious organization called “Exodus” which had members on the Montel Williams Show on 15 March 2007 who told how they changed their lives and were with their wives. A former homosexual couple wrote a book, “The Courage to Change,” where they described how the changed their lives by ending relations with theri former homosexual friends and only associated with heterosexuals and became heterosexuals themselves. They appeared on the cover of Newsweek Magazine 20 years ago. This is some of the objective concrete proof that homosexuality is an emotional disturbance caused by child sexual abuse and can be changed for the homosexuals to have better lives. Do not belive everything you hear and read. Check for scientific details. I seek to help homosexuals to a better life choice then homosexuality. Imagine the fun and challenge of changing your life! It can be done if a person decides to make the change. Ellen de Generis revealed how she was molested as a child. Anne Heche revealed how she underwent therapy an overcame her problems and then she married and had a child. Many of the people who write comments about this article are homosexuals advocating their cause. Be careful what you accept.

16. Laurel | 10.21.08

I work with children who just happen to have same sex parents. They didn’t choose these families but came into them in a number of ways. Bringing books like this to a library gives kids in same sex families the message that they are o.k. Placing books like this in a library is not always an endorcement of the same sex lifestyle as much as it can be a message to kids that “All kinds of families make up this world”. It gives the children a message of acceptance, which all children need, regardless of whether or not adults approve of their parent’s lifestyle or not. These are kids books and last I read, homosexuality wasn’t a learned behavior. My guess is that the books weren’t put on the book shelf because of homophobia and not that there were many better written or better illustrated books already on those shelves.

17. Julieanna | 10.22.08

I’ve read the above comments… (not the books). But, assuming the books are in good taste (even if not “top literature”) and obviously helpful to young children with same-sex parents (as the book apparently is meant to be), then including them in the library collection seems fitting and even an opportunity for more knowledge and ideas for thought. Otherwise, it is censorship, and it certainly appears to have been CENSORSHIP.

A library, I believe, should always guide the public to “think for themselves” and to “not believe everything you read” - in reading any book, magazine, or other literature or listening to any video, audio, or obtaining information in any way.

And a library, I believe, should encourage that children receive guidance from parents, guardians, teachers when reading “controversial” material.

That would take care of both complaints about a book and complaints about censorship. In other words, as long as a book is obviously in good taste, why should there be a problem? Homosexuality exists; same-sex parents to young children exist; and ideas about such are and should be freely EXPRESSED: that is our country, Freedom of Speech and the exchange of ideas:

Again, the goal is to THINK and learn more about THINKING via observing, discussions, reflection, and more thinking! And to come to our own conclusions and comfort about a given subject.

———–

As for the above comment about homosexuality being an emotional affliction or disease to be cured: that may be the case for SOME; but may NOT be the case for OTHERS. There are “proofs” of varying kinds for both viewpoints: that homosexuality is an aberraion to be cured; and that homosexuality is a part of Nature, even if an “imbalance” of hormones or whatever—:

Let’s face it, many hetereosexuals have “emotional aberrations” and “imbalances of hormones”, even if within the “hetereosexual category”!

Maybe stopping the “categorization” and, as Martin Luther King said, looking at the “quality of their character” — (is it LOVING and CARING? e.g.) — is the essence in this “controversy”. The bottom line is that we are all human. What is our character?

————————-

WASILLA Library: put the books back on the shelves; don’t do this censorship on yourselves and others; don’t hold back any ideas or viewpoints about the reality that homosexuality does exit.

And SARAH, dear Enthusiastic Sarah: please open your mind and….get your knowledge and facts straight in the larger context applicable to any given problem [on many fronts!], including homosexuality and how, if abortion is made “illegal”, you are going to open up a larger can of messy worms - with abortion going underground! Get into PREVENTION and KNOWLEDGE: birth control for those who want such knowledge — birth control via absitinence AND other modes of control. Being informed.

If TEENS are old enough to “have sex”, then they are old enough to know about ALL MODES of birth control, as well as old enough to understand that consequences of early sex and/or sex outside marriage (such consequences could occur in later sex and/or sex within marriage too).

IT DEPENDS ON THE RELATIONSHIP: hence, Relationship Knowledge is the bottom line, not “sex” itself.

———–

and SARAH, b.t.w., the Veep has limited powers and only votes in ties as s/he presides [to keep order and to keep informed] over the Senate. S/he is ready, only ready and not meddling with the Senators, to Preside over the Nation, in case it is needed. Otherwise, the Veep follows the Constitutution: having very limited powers but VERY UNLIMITED Knowledge / is HIGHLY INFORMED as s/he sits back and assists ONLY WHEN ASKED by the Prez…and is READY at any given moment to take over as PREZ.

SARAH: please speak of upholding the Constitution in this way, AND, in the way of FREEDOM OF SPEECH: please ask the Wasilla Library to put those books on the shelf! Encourage an informed Alaska Citizenry.

18. chardot | 10.25.08

Homosexuality is banned in the Bible.

Why is that?

Should Biblical standards lose their force in the affairs of men?