Censorship: no one can agree

Through a Google search I discovered a blog called Censorship-Free Libraries, a site "dedicated to free speech and equal access in public libraries." Here is a passage from the blog which explains why censorship is such a troublesome issue for public libraries:

"One of the things that causes confusion in debates about library censorship is that there is no nationwide standard for defining what is illegally obscene, let alone who can or cannot distribute, display, or receive such materials. When it comes to obscenity and public libraries, it is quite possible, even common, that a specific item that is illegal in one jurisdiction is perfectly legal in another."

The blogger goes on to note that the only exception to this is child pornography, which is illegal everywhere under Federal law. Yet other subjects found offensive by many people - violence, drug use, sexual content - must be regulated by each individual library, which is then responsible to enforce and defend its censorship policies. This often puts library staff in a tough position as they feel the need to both adhere to censorship policies as well as placate the patrons whose tax dollars keep the library afloat.