I just had a student who came into the library and wanted to let me know
that our copy of the Koran (297.1) was located on the lowest shelf of
bookcases near his feet. In his religious experience (he tells me that)
the Koran should not be at the ground level or near the feet....
The section which begins at the shelving top level with the
292's....ends 6 shelves later at the bottom row with the 297s...that is
where the Koran is located, as it just happens.
Although I can adjust shelving and move books to accomodate the student,
this is the first time that I have been asked to move an entire section
in order to make a religious book fit the "teachings" of its followers /
readers. While I see his point, I also tried to explain that the
library isn't arranged according to a specific religious doctrine (and I
won't go into those who worship cataloging and Dewey), but that it was
arranged according to the DDC--and it just happens that this book's call
number ends with a number which happens to end at the lowest
shelf--which is ground level. I also tried to explain that within the
library, we try to remain neutral in all areas and provide the students
and teachers with the information they need, but that our classification
and arrangement within the library isn't something that we can modify
for one or two items---unless we have a special display case....which we
don't.
I'm not sure that this will become an issue...but wanted to see what
others thought. I'm not adjusting shelves yet, but if (or when) the
time comes, it might be nice to offer additional justification for why
we are remaining "neutral" on this type of issue rather than observing
the requirements for the followers of this religion and moving an entire
shelf of books to allow this book to "rise" above the ground floor level
of others with the same call number. I am certainly open to ideas and
understand what he is asking, but this is rather unique and possibly a
politically / religiously correct issue that might become nasty if some
believe that I am discriminating...which I'm not...
Ideas, comments, solutions...?
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
briscos@trinityvalleyschool.org
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