Re: [Videolib] Public libraries with HBO series Deadwood?

Meghann Matwichuk (mtwchk@udel.edu)
Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:40:17 -0400

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--------------010208090604070209020303
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

... Which to me always begs the question of how so many public
libraries find it acceptable to adopt the MPAA ratings standards as a
mechanism for libraries to block access to certain library materials
(i.e. no R-rated videos for minors). This seems awfully similar in
practice to 'labeling' to me, which is incredibly problematic if you
look at how inconsistently and unevenly the MPAA applies it's ratings
(not to mention the gross disparity in how violence is rated vs. nudity
/ sexual content). But I digress...

*************************
Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Senior Assistant Librarian
Instructional Media Collection Department
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/instructionalmedia/

MichaelMay.5652831@bloglines.com wrote:
> This sounds like "prejudicial labeling":
>
>
>
> "The American Library Association
> opposes labeling as a means of predisposing people's attitudes toward library
> materials. . . . The prejudicial label is used to warn, discourage or prohibit
> users or certain groups of users from accessing the material."
>
>
>
> http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/statementlabeling.htm
>
>
>
> http://tinyurl.com/337uy
>
>
>
> Mike in Dubuque
>
>
>
> --- videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
> wrote:
>
>
>
> I am from a mid-sized public library in the Midwest. We have had
>
>
>
>> Deadwood on our shelves for a couple of years without any kind of
>>
>
>
> negative comment. The title that has raised problems for us that is
>
>
>> also
>>
> an HBO product is Angels in America. With the lovely picture of
>
>
>> an angle
>>
> on the front it was a bit disconcerting to several of our
>
>
>> older ladies
>>
> to find out that it is a "gay" film. We added the
>
>
>> subtitle (from the play)
>>
> A Gay Fantasia on National Themes on the
>
>
>> cover and slapped our handy-dandy
>>
> pink florescent sticker that reads
>
>
>> NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MINORS on the spine.
>>
> We have not had any more
>
>
>> complaints. This pink sticker is added to many
>>
> of our HBO products
>
>
>> for safety sake.
>>
> VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
>

--------------010208090604070209020303
Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
...  Which to me always begs the question of how so many public libraries find it acceptable to adopt the MPAA ratings standards as a mechanism for libraries to block access to certain library materials (i.e. no R-rated videos for minors).  This seems awfully similar in practice to 'labeling' to me, which is incredibly problematic if you look at how inconsistently and unevenly the MPAA applies it's ratings (not to mention the gross disparity in how violence is rated vs. nudity / sexual content).  But I digress...

*************************
Meghann Matwichuk, M.S.
Senior Assistant Librarian
Instructional Media Collection Department
Morris Library, University of Delaware
181 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE 19717
(302) 831-1475
http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/instructionalmedia/

MichaelMay.5652831@bloglines.com wrote: 

This sounds like "prejudicial labeling":



"The American Library Association
opposes labeling as a means of predisposing people's attitudes toward library
materials. . . . The prejudicial label is used to warn, discourage or prohibit
users or certain groups of users from accessing the material."



http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/statementlabeling.htm



http://tinyurl.com/337uy



Mike in Dubuque



--- videolib@lists.berkeley.edu
wrote:



I am from a mid-sized public library in the Midwest. We have had


  
Deadwood on our shelves for a couple of years without any kind of 
    

  
negative comment. The title that has raised problems for us that is 

  
also
    
an HBO product is Angels in America. With the lovely picture of 

  
an angle
    
on the front it was a bit disconcerting to several of our 

  
older ladies
    
to find out that it is a "gay" film. We added the 

  
subtitle (from the play)
    
A Gay Fantasia on National Themes on the 

  
cover and slapped our handy-dandy
    
pink florescent sticker that reads 

  
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR MINORS on the spine.
    
We have not had any more 

  
complaints. This pink sticker is added to many
    
of our HBO products 

  
for safety sake.
    
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.

--------------010208090604070209020303--
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.