Libraries for Leslie

Yesterday, Leslie Creekmore, A Children's Librarian from Fort Smith, AR died from complications of the flu.   I did not know Leslie personally, but she will be missed by those who knew her and by the library community. Her loss has hit me hard.

Leslie  was originally hospitalized in January where she was quickly put into ICU and placed on a ventilator.  While hospitalized last month she gave birth at 20 weeks, but the baby did not survive.  Being pregnant myself, the news stories have been hard to watch and I cant stop the tears as I write this blog.  Now Leslie has passed from this world to join her child, leaving her husband behind as a survivor.

Several news outlets have reported on this story and it has reached national coverage because she was told NOT get get a flu shot during her first trimester.  This vaccine probably would have saved her life and the life of her child.

If you havent seen this tragic story I encourage you to do so.  Here is the local Fort Smith coverage.

There has been two campaigns started to help this family: A gofundme account and a t-shirt campaign entitled "Get Your Damn Flu Shot."  There has also be a facebook page created.

Libraries are about family and I think most of us in the library profession feel that way about each other. Step up and support Leslie's family and please get your flu shot!

BBW and Ethics

Banned Books Week has always been my favorite "librarian" celebration.  I admit, its partly because I like to push the envelope and make people uncomfortable.  But isnt being uncomfortable a good thing? Being comfortable is boring (intellectually comfortable that is).

Today I was at a meeting in which I was talking about the importance of Banned Books Week as a springboard to educate others about the value of open access and the ability to balance ourselves with multiple opinions.  It was disheartening to hear many people in the room respond in favor of censorship.

These people felt that I should be acting as a parent to my young patrons and keeping them away from topics that were "inappropriate."  Of course the book in question had the word "mommies" in the title.  It was so sad to hear others who work in libraries (although these particular respondents did not have an MLS) say that children's books with same sex parents were "not appropriate."

I whole-heartedly believe that it is my job to PROVIDE these materials.  In fact, its more than my job, its that thing that keeps me awake at night.  I cant stand the thought of censorship, but to hear it applied to libraries makes my stomach turn and my heart ache.

In trying to find a good educational response to this conversation, I found myself re-reading the ALA Code of Ethics, the Library Bill of Rights, and the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

If you haven't taken time to read these documents, please do.  They offer many words of wisdom and they depict a clear vision of why I have dedicated my life to librarianship.