Letter to the Editor: Starting “Public Outcry” About Certain Books Will Not “Squelch Teenagers/Tweens Interest” in Them, Will Likely Do Opposite

To the Editor:

Discounting the 400+ signatures on the pro-library petition by saying it is a mere fraction of Old Lyme’s population is merely social conservatives taking a swipe at those who did sign it and trying to say that the majority of townsfolk wish to have the library censored. This is a continuation of what the right wing group Moms for Liberty is doing and also sounds like the parents in the late 1960s, who opposed school desegregation. I hear echoes of Gov. George Wallace in the words of those seeking to ban certain books.

A town library should be a place where every book should be available to everyone. If you do not like a certain book or magazine, simply do not read it! Instead of ranting about the book selection, perhaps consider that if your child is seeking knowledge at the [OL-]PGN Library, perhaps you have not provided the information your son or daughter needs to move along in life.

One supporter of book banning mentions sexual positions which may be harmful. Really? If that does not sound like a Puritan dog whistle, I don’t know what does. Does anyone really think that starting a public outcry about this will squelch a teenagers/tweens interest in trying something new?

The library has these books partly because they provide a clearer explanation of behaviors, which one can easily see on the internet. This allows better choices. All you have done is attracted greater interest towards reading said books and enthusiasm for attempting the acts, which might be illustrated. Conservatives never learn.

The staff at the [OL-]PGN library are a group of amazing women. The two, who are directly involved in the lives of children and teens, Julie and Nikki, are brilliant, kind and have the best intentions towards their young patrons. What they deserve from all of us is respect and from those protesting about certain books, an apology. The actions of those advocating censorship are the reason why many of us are repelled by conservatives.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Wilder,
Old Lyme.