The New York Public Library will keep six controversial Dr Seuss books on the shelves, despite this week’s decision to stop publishing them due to racist images.
The library, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, said it does not censor books and that the controversial titles will remain in circulation until they are no longer in a suitable form to lend, a spokesman said. said.
“As with all public libraries, the New York Public Library does not censor or remove books,” said Angela Montefinise, library spokeswoman.
“In this case, the six titles in question are being taken out of print by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, so the few copies we have of these titles will continue to circulate until they are no longer in an acceptable condition,” he said. Montefinise said.
“In the meantime, librarians, who pay close attention to the service of their communities and ensure accurate and diverse representation in our collections – especially children’s books – will certainly take this information into account when planning story times, exhibitions and recommendations,” he said. she said.
Montefinise said the books are also part of the library’s historical research collection.
A Brooklyn Public Library spokesman said Wednesday the books also remain in circulation. Queens Public Library officials on Wednesday did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The half a dozen books by dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, made headlines this week when the company that publishes the titles for Penguin Random House said it would no longer publish.
The six books – “When I Run the Zoo”, “And To Think I Saw It In Mulberry Street”, “McElligot’s Pool”, “On Beyond Zebra!”, “Scrambled Eggs Super!” And “The Cat’s Quizzer” – has come under fire over the past few years due to the stereotypical portrayal of different ethnic and racial groups.
But major libraries, including the public library in Denver, said this week that they will keep the titles on their shelves as well.