Search Results for: guinness world records book in

Posted on behalf of Marjorie Harrison, Coordinator, Panhandle Library System:
Media Specialists from across the state of Nebraska have responded with vehemence to a question about removing the Guinness Book of World Records from an elementary school library. I sent the following question out to the Systems list on Wednesday, January 23:

“Media Specialists: Has any school library in the state of Nebraska ever had a request to remove the Guinness World Records from an elementary school library? In my experience, Guinness World Record books are very popular among young people. Please contact me with any information you may have regarding use of this title in your school library, or complaints that you may have experienced. This information will be very helpful to one of our Nebraska school libraries. Thank you.”

Within two days, more than 100 librarians replied to either me or the SYSTEMS list. Some librarians replied with a quick, “the book is very popular in my library,” while others expressed fascination, surprise, and concern that the Guinness World Records book was being challenged. A few commented on the “distractions” that the book sometimes creates in the library, and some admitted that they no longer purchase the book. The question has impassioned a great many media specialists in Nebraska to speak to the issue of intellectual freedom. Due to the limitations of the Systems list and because most replies were sent directly to me, participants have missed a bulk of the discussion. Let’s continue the discussion here.