No change to our valued libraries (Media release)

Reports in yesterday’s media that municipal library collections will be subject to a ‘political correctness filter’ will not be happening in Merri-bek.

Moreland’s Mayor John Kavanagh confirmed today that Council does not and will not be banning books from its libraries.

The results of a study by the Australian National University into the development of gender roles, bias and stereotypes in preschool children, appears to be the basis of the Herald Sun story.

“In the last financial year we experienced close to 694,000 Merri-bek visits to our five libraries, borrowing more than 1.1 million books,” said Cr Kavanagh.

“We are readers and thinkers in Merri-bek and our libraries foster life-long learning, literacy and community connectedness, providing extensive free access to information, knowledge, thought and culture.

“Council would never put a filter on the books made available to our residents.

“Our policy (DOC 195Kb) clearly states that materials will not be rejected on moral, political, racial or religious grounds, and when it comes to children’s books, it is the responsibility of parents or guardians to determine the suitability of the materials used by their children.

“As a former Teacher-Librarian, exposing children to the love of literature has been one of the greatest joys of my life!” said Cr Kavanagh.

Moreland Library users are welcome to suggest new materials to add to the ever-growing collection, including books, DVD’s, newspapers, magazines and other learning materials.

Find out more about Merri-bek’s Libraries.

22 May 2018