should libraries stock erotica?

[carlajean]

So, how do you feel about your library stocking erotica? I was browsing the shelves the other day and came across the sequel to The Story of O (which I consider to be more porn than erotica). I strongly feel that libraries shouldn't be stocking this stuff, especially there is nothing to stop young people taking it out on the automatic machine. Complained. It was removed, though it doesn't mean it wasn't moved to another library.
Anyway had a look at that area today and realized there's a whole row of Shades of Gray knock-offs there. I'm going to complain to Gloucester CC.
So, am I mad?

Yes. Libraries should represent all genres.

Perhaps the answer could be that they are coded so that they can't be checked out on a young person's ticket or from the automatic machine without confirmation of date of birth?

I don't agree with libraries censoring reading - if they are happy to stock them then that's fine by me. I wouldn't want to borrow them but wouldn't want to prevent anyone else from borrowing them.

Where do you stop with censoring? Should D H Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover be allowed? Mild, I know, in comparison with what is written now.

I do think libraries should stock erotica, though I agree that it shouldn't be easily available to young children. And yes, I'm sure teenagers could find it and read it - but then I remember reading slightly dodgy books that I uncovered in my parents' bedroom at quite a young age. The literary merits of such works may be debatable, but I don't think there is any moral case whatsoever for censoring this stuff in the case of adults.

My library also has Mein Kampf on one of its face on shelves. I am more upset that they have that than any erotica. I don't see how erotica is worse than Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins.

Anyone with a junior card (under 16) would not be able to borrow any adult books. The RFID machines wouldn't scan them and they would set off the alarm if they tried to sneak them out.

I can't see why they shouldn't stock erotica.

Don't you have to be over a certain age to take out adult books from the library, automatic machines or not?

Our library has a number of erotic books. I'm confident that young people can't get them out as the junior tickets don't let them take out adult books, in fact dd1 has needed my permission to get out teenage books before.

I have no objection to libraries stocking erotics and I would end up spending far too much of my own money if they did not but agree with those who have said it should be restricted so children can't get hold of it.

My DD1 (12) is starting to move into some adult fiction, I check her selections and ok them before she can have them. It's not rocket science.

I've heard female librarians say they get rather a lot of creepy sexual comments from men checking them out. So only in a library which uses automatic checkouts, because staff shouldn't have to put up with that.

Agreed, vegetable.