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Fuzzyphilosopher t1_j6550wu wrote

I would like to share some observations from working in library. Some people have insanely controlling parents who won't let their children read harry Potter because they think it's satanic. Magic is real and dangerous to them. Libraries are also a refuge for many homeless people. To keep warm, to keep cool, to not get harassed and arrested for sitting down. I met too many young adults who were kicked out on the street at 16 or so for being gay.

There were women we never checked ID for because they were in a shelter for abused women as their ex's might well have kidnapped and even killed them. had a long talk with a woman who was violently raped. Plenty of people fear the stigma of a mental illness like depression and others.

If someone has to check out a book it goes in the system and if someone in their family gets their library card number, as controlling people will do, they can look up every item checked out.

My point is there very much is a need.

I understand that may seem crazy to you, but too many people are forced to survive as best they can in very crazy and bad situations. Giving them access to information to help them survive and escape is a necessary service.

I'm actually getting a bit upset from recalling some of the suffering I saw. While working as a librarian. On the funnier side someone managed to take a poop in an aisle of books. That was a bit of a surprise.

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VSBakes t1_j668kws wrote

Oh nonono I was just saying books are books. I wasn't trying to offend anyone. I understand the need for separation of material, I guess I was just a little taken aback with the initial post.

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