Don't Muzzle Librarians

摘要

It is utter hypocrisy to label any commu-nication-anonymous, ad hominem, or otherwise-as "unprofessional" in a profession for which the primary core value is freedom of expression. We are justifiably proud of the record of librarians as fervent and effective defenders of free expression. Librarians have upheld and collected obscenity, anarchy, dissent, and certainly every kind of personal attack. This is not "unprofessional," it is our professional duty.rnSo when librarian and LJ Mover & Shaker David Rothman calls the writings of the Annoyed Librarian (AL) "unpleasant" and "unprofessional," I get angry. I blow up when he proceeds to tell everyone in what he calls "libraryland" how they should express themselves with such drivel as "stop feeding the trolls." I am delighted, of course, that, according to our recent online poll, most LJ web site readers agree with me and are glad the LJ site carries the AL blog.