Enfield (CT) Public Library cancels Sicko screening

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Following a complaint from a citizen, the mayor of Enfield, CT threatened to reduce funding unless the library canceled it's scheduled screening of Michael Moore's Sicko.

I am surprised that only one council member, Cynthia Mangini, objected to this. In my opinion, many books and movies in the library are trashy, or contain content I disagree with strongly. But I don't think that others should be denied the chance to read/view them if that's what floats their boat.

Here are some surprising quotes from other council members:

Councilman Patrick Crowley..."said he didn’t think the effort to cancel the screening amounted to censorship, saying the library should be age-appropriate for young children."

“We want it to be a place for relaxation and fun for the kids,” Crowley said.

Uh, most likely, more than half the material at the Enfield Public Library is not intended for children. That is why libraries have a children's section. There is little need to fear that children will accidentally find a copy of Narcissus in Chains while browsing the board books.

Here's what Enfield mayor Scott Kauplin had to say: "the library should steer clear of controversial material like “Sicko.”

He goes on...“I don’t even know why people make these decisions to go down those paths. It’s stupid. It’s like, it just blows my mind that people try to push the envelope with the public dime,” “Do nice stuff. Do uncontroversial, or if you want to step in the mode of being controversial, make sure it’s fair on both sides and it becomes a discussion.”

One of the greatest things about libraries is that they are a place where controversial materials can be accessed. If the mayor objects to Sicko, fine. He doesn't have to go to the screening. But to threaten funding the library because he doesn't like their choice of films a misuse of power.

Besides, "nice stuff" is boring.

If he and others believe the other side of the issue should be presented, perhaps they could suggest another film the library can screen in addition to Sicko. That would have been the reasonable way to handle this. Now, Enfield may have to deal with legal action. The whole thing could have been avoided with a little common sense.