Press:

Libraries Debate Stocking ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ TrilogyNew York Times

Censorship Organization Condemns Brevard Library Ban Of Fifty Shades of GreyBrevard Times

Anti-censorship group speaks out against Brevard book removalMy Fox Orlando, WOFL-TV

Literary Groups Defend ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’Mediabistro

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

CONTACT:      Michael O’Neill, Communications Coordinator
                      National Coalition Against Censorship
                      [email protected], (212) 807-6222, ext. 107

NATIONAL ANTI-CENSORSHIP GROUP SLAMS LIBRARY CENSORSHIP IN FLORIDA

NEW YORK, N.Y.- In a letter (see below) to the Director of Library Services Cathy Schweinsberg, The National Coalition Against Censorship, a broad national coalition of groups dedicated to defending free speech and the freedom to read, expressed its concern about the removal of  E.L. James’ runaway bestseller Fifty Shades of Grey, from the Public Libraries in Brevard County, Florida and urged the library to honor its constitutional obligations and return the books to the shelves immediately.

In the letter, NCAC Executive Director Joan Bertin called claims that the book’s sexually explicit content doesn’t "meet the library’s selection criteria" unpersuasive. The book had been selected by the library and subsequently removed.  "Simply calling the action "selection" does not shield it from criticism," Bertin added, citing an article by Professor Lester Asheim , Former Director of the American Library Association’s International Relations Office, which discusses the differences between book selection and censorship.

The library carries many contemporary "romance" and "erotica" in addition to many "classic" holdings that were once considered "pornographic" and even "obscene," including Fanny Hill, Lady Chatterly’s Lover, and Lolita. Regardless of its literary merit, the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey, a national best-seller, fully justifies its place on library shelves.   

"Removal of the book is an affront to library patrons, who have a First Amendment right to make their own decisions about what to read," Bertin wrote.  The letter noted that as public officials, library administrators are barred from removing materials merely because they dislike them or find them offensive. The letter cited a landmark 1943 Supreme Court case, Justice Jackson stated, "If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion."

Change.org Petition To Restore Fifty Shades of Grey

Video: Fans Speak Out Against Fifty Shades of Grey Library Ban: