[Michlib-l] Religion in the library

[WAY Carol DeBoer]

I agree with Anne

Carol DeBoer
Circulation Supervisor
Henika District Library
149 S. Main
Wayland, MI  49348
269-792-2891
waycd at henikalibrary.org

---------- Original Message -----------
From: Anne Oyerly via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
To: Don Priest <dpriest at southgate.lib.mi.us>, "michlib-l at mcls.org" 
<michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:59:39 +0000
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Religion in the library

> A bit puzzled about why you would leave up the Pride Month display,
>  but worry about the Nativity?  Seems like both reflect cultural 
> values of American society.
> 
> If you really want to make it appear that you are not supporting one 
> religion over another, I would focus on adding displays from other 
> belief systems, not taking away one.
> 
> Just my opinion.
> 
> Anne Oyerly
> 
> Building & Stacks Manager
> 
> James White Library
> 
> Andrews University?
> 
> ________________________________
> From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on 
> behalf of Don Priest via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org> Sent: 
> Thursday, June 14, 2018 10:55 AM To: michlib-l Subject: [Michlib-l] 
> Religion in the library
> 
> Hi, hoping to get some feedback on a patron complaint.  He took 
> issue with a Nativity that gets put up in front of the library every 
> year, and it's got me wondering if we're implicitly supporting one 
> religion over another.  The library isn't actually responsible for 
> the Nativity, but it's easy to see why people would think we are.  
> We also put up a Christmas tree every year, and though it has no 
> religious iconography, I'm wondering if we should avoid it in the 
> future.  My research has led me to believe we're not out of line,
>  but religion can be a touchy issue. I'm interested to hear from 
> anyone who has fielded similar complaints, or has a deeper 
> understanding of the issue.  I'm asking around here about the 
> Nativity, just to make sure I have all the facts.
> 
> He also took issue with a Pride Month display we have up, as evil 
> according to his religion.  I'm not planning on taking that down,
>  but if anyone has answered a similar challenge I would appreciate 
> hearing how it went.
> 
> Don Priest
> Southgate Veterans Memorial Library
> 14680 Dix-Toledo Rd.
> Southgate, MI 48195
> 734-258-3002 ext. 3003
------- End of Original Message -------