Political dispute isn't 'censorship'

I'm sorry to have to take issue with my dear friend Gloria Ray at the library about the so-called censorship issue. The historical meaning of "censorship" is the use of state force against those who produce disapproved writings: Police kill writers, smash printing presses, and arrest publishers.

What Gloria is criticizing is democratic control of tax-funded libraries. Under the doctrine of taxation with representation, citizens have a perfect right to demand that certain books not be purchased with their tax money.

Government librarians resist this input, feeling — rather condescendingly, I'm afraid — that their values ought to determine book purchases. It demeans the historic accomplishment of literary freedom to equate this political squabble in tax-funded libraries with the violence of real censorship — such as still exists in dictatorships abroad.

There is an easy, friendly way to resolve disputes over library purchases. It is to have independent libraries funded by voluntary donations instead of taxes. Then people wouldn't be forced to support libraries that buy books they deplore.

JIM PAYNE

Sandpoint