At South Central Regional Library, they are dedicated to the right of intellectual freedom. 

Intellectual freedom states that it is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction.

I fundamentally believe in this, as a human right for all.

As most of our communities know, SCRL has been in the spotlight and under fire for some months. 

South Central Regional Library consists of five branches in Manitou, Miami, Morden, Winkler and Altona.  As stated in the Pembina Valley Online article here https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/articles/delegations-taking-concerns-to-scrl-member-councils the SCRL is funded by seven municipal members.

SCRL is a PUBLIC library, not a church library.  They are dedicated to serving all, no matter the gender, race, age, sexual orientation, or social class.  Libraries are one of the last remaining services on the planet, that you don't have to have money in your pocket to go to.  Are we willing to watch this service be put at risk?

I think it is plain and simple.  If you don't want these books, don't look at them.  If you don't want your kids to see them, keep them away from that area.  If it offends you, close it and put it back.  Keep moving.  Go find something else to read.  It's really simple, isn't it?

As a resident of one of these municipalities, and an avid user of this library system, I am appalled at the idea of funding being cut to these branches.  As a person who uses these libraries, I often gain access to all sides of information.  I am a parent of two young girls.  I have personally viewed the books in question - What Makes A Baby, Sex Is A Funny Word, and It's Perfectly Normal.  I asked the staff if I could view them, and they handed them to me.  However, I have not viewed All Boys Aren't Blue, because none of these branches own it.  I DO NOT agree with this "group" that they are pornographic or sex instruction.  Clearly, they are books that are meant to be read with a parent, and are for sexual education.  I understand that they might not be for everyone.  But, I do see the benefit of having them available.  My young girls are not at risk of pulling them off of the shelves for their own viewing, because I keep my kids in my line of vision when we are at the library.  The staff are not their babysitters.

These books are meant to educate our young people about their own bodies, covering a range of topics from puberty, gender, sexual desire and most importantly, consent.  It has been taught through the ages, that the more you educate young people regarding these topics, the lesser the chances of them being sexually abused.  This kind of education removes the shame from kids when it comes to discussing their bodies. 

I have viewed some of the content (videos, facebook posts, websites) that is circulating right now online, and I find it defamatory.  This "group" is stating half-truths, and the fact that they are calling on municipalities and towns to defund them is appalling.  I recently watched a video that was shared by someone at the Rhineland Municipality board meeting, and I found the things that this group were saying questionable.  IF IN FACT, THESE BOOKS ARE ILLEGAL AND GO AGAINST THE CRIMINAL CODE, then why hasn't anybody in these library systems been arrested?  Where are the charges?  After all of these months, shouldn't someone have noticed this?

I have heard some of the stories about the bullying and harassment that the staff have received in this region, and it sickens my stomach.  In the Pembina Valley Online article, it states  "Meantime, Ching said while many people have written letters of support both to the libraries and to the Councils, since the first delegation presentation to the SCRL Board in September, vitriolic emails, phone calls and other negative messages have been targeting Board members and staff."

This is NOT okay!  Nobody should be harassed for doing their jobs.  The responsibility of these librarians is to provide information to all.  Not to take it away from all to suit some.  Is this what we want to see?  Do we want to stand by and watch these people getting harassed, because someone doesn't agree with what they are doing?

This "group" spouts that they have over 1000 signatures on a petition in support of removing these books.  They are trying to murder SCRL by numbers.  But, I think we should give SCRL the support they need by numbers!  I don't know how many people SCRL serves, but I imagine that it is far more than just 1000 people.

Let's support the staff and board at SCRL and sign the petition.  Let's show them the love that they deserve, and applaud them for their efforts in battling misinformation.  Let's make sure that the support is louder than the hate.  I hope you can all sign this petition to show the boards on these town and municipalities that we do NOT want these libraries defunded, and we do not want to lose these educational books that are so necessary. 

Please share!

Thank you for your support.

 

(photos taken from SCRL social media accounts)