Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00331)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Perry Coles" <perrycoles@y...> 
wrote:
> Hi Nigel and all,
> The points you raise are very valid ones in my opinion and of 
course 
> depending on which way the balance leans in our own assessment of 
> things.
> 
> Working in a library myself, it is not my responsibility or role to 
> censor what goes into a library.
> 
> Although faculty staff decide what books are needed for a 
particular 
> unit.
> Our Education subject area contains books that would contain 
> information no longer appropriate to be used in schools however 
they 
> still have historical value.
> 
> How people use and process information is their own responsibility 
> and work.
> 
> In the University library I work at we have a small selection of 
> theosophical works.
> These include the Secret doctrine, Isis unveiled, key to theosophy 
> and also some other theosophical writers like CW Leadbeater, A 
> Beasnt , I.K Taimni Shirley Nicholson, I.S Cooper, Robert 
> Ellwood..... as well as some critical works like 'Madame 
Blavatsky's 
> baboon'.
> 
> For me the principle holds the same for a theosophical library.
> 
> Another question maybe is it anybodies role to disallow any 
> information or writer from being in a theosophical library even if 
> that information is known to be questionable?
> 
> I would say no, as the information has at very least historical 
value.
> If it is questionable and people still choose to believe it, that 
is 
> their choice.
> 
> A protestant Christian may say a catholic catechism is not true 
> Christianity for example.
> 
> In the end it's up to the reader to decide for themselves.
> In democracies we can debate and critique any writer, opinion or 
> claim made.
> And this to me is the key to maintaining that dogma, superstition 
or 
> claimed authority are kept in check.
> This is my main issue.
> 
> I am sure our discussions on this will continue for years to come, 
it 
> is a shame that these types of discussions are seen as being 
negative 
> by some but as I am sure you'd agree they are essential in 
> maintaining free and open enquiry and strike to the core of what 
> freedom of thought really is.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Perry

Dear Perry
Thank you for your response.
As a general rule for an academic library the above might be how they 
operate. A public library may sometimes operate slightly differently 
in that they may disallow certain books which the head librarian 
might consider unsuitable. These may include books which are racist, 
incite people to violence, describe how to construct a bomb or a 
lethally poisonous weapon, techniques to lure women to be raped etc.
It would surprise me if academic head librarians would operate any 
differently were they not only buying books for current curriculae.
However, if a scientist, academic or senior representative of a 
university was proven to have lied, misrepresented and misquoted 
others' work or was guilty of plagiarism etc, it would also surprise 
me if this author were not ostracised by his colleagues and his work 
removed from the shelves.
For me, Theosophy and its libraries deserve nothing less than this, 
however difficult might be the task.
Best wishes
Nigel