Note: Gina Millsap is now director of the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Ks. Article in its entirety can be read here (with her comments midway in bold): http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4780932/22591438.html

Kids get - movies at library

Urbandale's mayor says he's shocked by the policy, and he wants it changed.

By LISA LIVERMORE
Register Correspondent
10/25/2003

Urbandale city officials, outraged that children can check out - movies at the city's library, are pressuring the suburb's library trustees to change the policy.

The Urbandale Public Library's policy is similar to those of many other libraries in Iowa: Children with library cards can use them to check out movies that they would not be allowed to see in movie theaters.

"It was shocking to me that this was going on in our library, and to be right honest with you, I'm totally embarrassed that it's happening," said Urbandale Mayor Brad Zaun. "It's wrong for the city of Urbandale to allow it to happen."

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The Des Moines public library requires parental permission for anyone under 18 to get a library card. Once the child has a card, full access is allowed to library resources, including movies, said Lorna Truck, the library's deputy director.

Some librarians say a restrictive policy violates the core values of libraries to give all patrons full access to informative materials.

"There's a perception somehow you can protect children by preventing access to information," said Gina Millsap, former president of the Iowa Library Association.

She said she opposes restrictions to movies based on age.

Some Urbandale city officials see it differently.

"An awful lot of wrongs have been done under the guise of freedom of information and freedom of choice," said Kevin Conway, a candidate for the Urbandale City Council. "I mean, come on. It's intellectually dishonest."

Zaun said a parent complained to him at a Little League game that an R-rated movie had been brought home from the library.

Zaun said library director Sara Pearson told him that was possible.

Parents - not librarians - must police what children bring home, Pearson said.

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