Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
I know my union condemned Israel and called for its destruction while ignoring the bombings from Gaza. I quit the union in 20n seconds. They still don't get their anti-semitism. Scott Sheidlower Professor Library York College/CUNY Jamaica, NY From: Hasafran on behalf of Lee Jaffe via Hasafran Sent: Saturday, March 5, 2022 1:31 PM To: Hasafran@lists.osu.edu Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book I wonder how libraries and other bodies would respond if you showed them a book with a map where Mexico was labeled as US territory? Or the Republic of Ireland was labeled as part of the United Kingdom? At a time when the world is watching in horror as Putin is trying to erase Ukraine, people should understand that these things matter. Lee Jaffe Santa Cruz __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
Ari is correct; it may be worth noting that the relevant portion of my original comment to the NYPL read as follows: "Recent attention...has focused on the book’s exclusion of Jewish women from its biographical profiles. Although not my ideal approach, that exclusion seems to me within the realm of authorial and editorial choice. What is unquestionably unacceptable is another recently highlighted problem: the book's introductory map of the Middle East region (pp. 8-9), which erases the state of Israel entirely and replaces it with a descriptor of 'Palestine.'" That the NYPL's response didn't directly acknowledge the erasure may well be significant, but that wasn't something that I felt equipped to argue further in the correspondence. Best to all, Erika On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 4:24 PM AMK Judaica wrote: > Hi, > > " I have asked the Library to provide me with a list of the "numerous > other countries...that are also unlabeled"; the Library has yet to respond > to that request." > > The technical issue here with the map isn't necessarily as safranim have > observed, i.e., that Israel is "unlabeled." Indeed, one finds that Kuwait > and Qatar are not labeled on the same map. Rather, the inaccuracy is that > the entire territory currently controlled by the sovereign State of Israel > is labeled...as Palestine. One can quibble over the best way to acknowledge in > a cartographical representation that Israel's permanent borders remain to > be determined. But simply labeling the entire area from the Jordan to the > Mediterranean as Palestine is the problem. > > Shabbat shalom, > Ari > > > > *Ari Kinsberg* > M.A., Pharm.D. > Brooklyn, New York > 347-244-9747 (US cell) > Consultant for Rare Books and Manuscripts > Registered Pharmacist (NYS, Ohio) > Certified Immunizer (NYS) > -- > *From:* Hasafran on behalf of Erika > Dreifus via Hasafran > *Sent:* Friday, March 4, 2022 9:44 AM > *To:* kpeter3...@aol.com > *Cc:* hasafran@lists.osu.edu > *Subject:* Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book > > Shalom, chaverim: > > A quick follow-up: I, too, brought this book to the attention of my local > public library (in my case, the NYPL system). I emphasized that while I > might have preferred a different editorial approach to the entire book (one > that might have included Jewish women of the Middle East), subject > selection is well within the realm of editorial/authorial choice. The map, > however, is another matter. The library's response noted that the book > would be retained, explaining: "Upon our reexamination of the map on > pages 8-9, which you specifically mention as being of concern because > Israel is not labeled, we have determined that at no point in the book does > it purport this is a complete or accurate depiction of the region, either > current or historical, and that there are numerous other countries within > the artistically rendered geographic area that are also unlabeled. The > places that are labeled correspond directly to locations related to the > subjects the author has chosen to include in the book." I have asked the > Library to provide me with a list of the "numerous other countries...that > are also unlabeled"; the Library has yet to respond to that request. > > Judy's point about balancing the values of diversity and different > perspectives with avoiding bias/erasure (and, I would add, sheer inaccuracy > in educational nonfiction) is spot on. The NYPL's response also quoted its > Material Policy: "'Among this diverse population [the Library serves] > there is an extremely wide range of viewpoints, values, interests, and > occupations' and therefore we develop collections 'with a wide variety of > materials representing many points of view.'" > > Judy is also correct about the *SLJ* review. I have a chain of email > correspondence with an *SLJ *editor on that subject; the latest response > assured me that they "are looking into it." *Publishers Weekly* and > *Kirkus* have completed their investigations following my messages; both > have updated their references to the map in their online reviews and noted > that the reviews have been amended. > > Unfortunately, as Safranim who are also members of the "Mavens" kidlit > group will recall, this is not the only (or even the most troubling) book > of concern at the moment. I currently await a response from the NYPL > regarding another book, COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD: AN ATLAS WITH ATTITUDE > (Kingfisher Books), a reference book for children whose material on Israel > is egregious. The NYPL owns/circulates exponentially more copies of this > book than it does of AMAZING WOMEN. > > Shabbat
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
Hi, " I have asked the Library to provide me with a list of the "numerous other countries...that are also unlabeled"; the Library has yet to respond to that request." The technical issue here with the map isn't necessarily as safranim have observed, i.e., that Israel is "unlabeled." Indeed, one finds that Kuwait and Qatar are not labeled on the same map. Rather, the inaccuracy is that the entire territory currently controlled by the sovereign State of Israel is labeled...as Palestine. One can quibble over the best way to acknowledge in a cartographical representation that Israel's permanent borders remain to be determined. But simply labeling the entire area from the Jordan to the Mediterranean as Palestine is the problem. Shabbat shalom, Ari Ari Kinsberg M.A., Pharm.D. Brooklyn, New York 347-244-9747 (US cell) Consultant for Rare Books and Manuscripts Registered Pharmacist (NYS, Ohio) Certified Immunizer (NYS) From: Hasafran on behalf of Erika Dreifus via Hasafran Sent: Friday, March 4, 2022 9:44 AM To: kpeter3...@aol.com Cc: hasafran@lists.osu.edu Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book Shalom, chaverim: A quick follow-up: I, too, brought this book to the attention of my local public library (in my case, the NYPL system). I emphasized that while I might have preferred a different editorial approach to the entire book (one that might have included Jewish women of the Middle East), subject selection is well within the realm of editorial/authorial choice. The map, however, is another matter. The library's response noted that the book would be retained, explaining: "Upon our reexamination of the map on pages 8-9, which you specifically mention as being of concern because Israel is not labeled, we have determined that at no point in the book does it purport this is a complete or accurate depiction of the region, either current or historical, and that there are numerous other countries within the artistically rendered geographic area that are also unlabeled. The places that are labeled correspond directly to locations related to the subjects the author has chosen to include in the book." I have asked the Library to provide me with a list of the "numerous other countries...that are also unlabeled"; the Library has yet to respond to that request. Judy's point about balancing the values of diversity and different perspectives with avoiding bias/erasure (and, I would add, sheer inaccuracy in educational nonfiction) is spot on. The NYPL's response also quoted its Material Policy: "'Among this diverse population [the Library serves] there is an extremely wide range of viewpoints, values, interests, and occupations' and therefore we develop collections 'with a wide variety of materials representing many points of view.'" Judy is also correct about the SLJ review. I have a chain of email correspondence with an SLJ editor on that subject; the latest response assured me that they "are looking into it." Publishers Weekly and Kirkus have completed their investigations following my messages; both have updated their references to the map in their online reviews and noted that the reviews have been amended. Unfortunately, as Safranim who are also members of the "Mavens" kidlit group will recall, this is not the only (or even the most troubling) book of concern at the moment. I currently await a response from the NYPL regarding another book, COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD: AN ATLAS WITH ATTITUDE (Kingfisher Books), a reference book for children whose material on Israel is egregious. The NYPL owns/circulates exponentially more copies of this book than it does of AMAZING WOMEN. Shabbat shalom, Erika On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 8:49 AM Judy Petersen via Hasafran mailto:hasafran@lists.osu.edu>> wrote: Hi Marcia, I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it was biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they said they would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" display by the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they would just leave it on the shelf. I also brought the book to the attention of my local school district. Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just wanted to make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that it is a biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity and "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives don't also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the Middle East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a very positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools use to help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a positive that the boo
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
It would be wonderful if the publisher/distributor would do that—I believe that that was suggested in the UK (where much of the controversy seems to have originated), but there, as far as I am aware, the publisher withdrew the book from sale on its website instead of issuing a correction. If anyone else has more up-to-date information, I hope that they'll share. All best, Erika On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 11:46 AM wrote: > Another quick postscript--as part of their response to me, my public > library said that they would be willing to purchase additional copies of > future, corrected (like the map) editions. I suggested that it would be > helpful if they would contact the book's publisher/distributor to that > effect and to please let me know if they had. So far I haven't heard > > Judy > > > > -Original Message- > From: Erika Dreifus > To: Amalia Warshenbrot > Cc: kpeter3...@aol.com; Hasafran > Sent: Fri, Mar 4, 2022 11:26 am > Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book > > A quick postscript to Amalia's message: I have also reached out, multiple > times, to the book's U.S. distributor (Simon & Schuster). They have not > answered any of my emails. > > Best, > Erika > > On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 11:11 AM Amalia Warshenbrot via Hasafran < > hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > > Marcia, > Judy did all she can do. The issue was brought to my attention by a > children book author and I’m sure that she will email soon. > The book troubles me for more than one reason, how come even Golda Meir or > women from the Bible are not mentioned as AMAZING WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE EAST. > This is the third book with a map with no mention of the State if Israel > and we can always contact the publisher. > Having said that we, as a Jewish organization, must be careful when we > object to a book about Muslim women. In addition librarians can’t censor > books. > Amazon welcomes reviews. Individual librarians are welcome to post a > personal review on their website. > Thanks for bringing it to HaSafran subscribers, > Amalia W. > > Sent from my iPad > > On Mar 4, 2022, at 8:48 AM, Judy Petersen via Hasafran < > hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > > > Hi Marcia, > I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it > was biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they > said they would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" > display by the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they > would just leave it on the shelf. > I also brought the book to the attention of my local school > district. Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just > wanted to make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that > it is a biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity > and "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives > don't also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the > Middle East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a > very positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools > use to help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a > positive that the book included a "map of Palestine", and that the book was > recommended!! So they got the idea (I think/hope!) that multiple sources > need to be checked prior to introducing a book into a collection. > >Judy Petersen >Library Director >Congregation Har Shalom >Fort Collins, CO > > > -Original Message- > From: Marcia Goldstein via Hasafran > To: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 1:34 pm > Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book > > In a previous post, there was mention of the map in the book "Amazing > Women of the Middle East" eliminating Israel (the area is labeled as > Palestine). Have any communities contacted their local libraries about this > book? If so, have any libraries removed it from their collection? > Incidentally, Amazon is selling the book, with half of the reviews giving > it one star for the inaccuracy portrayed by the map. > > Marcia Goldstein > Maurer Jewish Community Library > Indianapolis > 317-509-6783 > __ > > __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohi
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
Another quick postscript--as part of their response to me, my public library said that they would be willing to purchase additional copies of future, corrected (like the map) editions. I suggested that it would be helpful if they would contact the book's publisher/distributor to that effect and to please let me know if they had. So far I haven't heard Judy -Original Message- From: Erika Dreifus To: Amalia Warshenbrot Cc: kpeter3...@aol.com; Hasafran Sent: Fri, Mar 4, 2022 11:26 am Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book A quick postscript to Amalia's message: I have also reached out, multiple times, to the book's U.S. distributor (Simon & Schuster). They have not answered any of my emails. Best,Erika On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 11:11 AM Amalia Warshenbrot via Hasafran wrote: Marcia, Judy did all she can do. The issue was brought to my attention by a children book author and I’m sure that she will email soon.The book troubles me for more than one reason, how come even Golda Meir or women from the Bible are not mentioned as AMAZING WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE EAST. This is the third book with a map with no mention of the State if Israel and we can always contact the publisher.Having said that we, as a Jewish organization, must be careful when we object to a book about Muslim women. In addition librarians can’t censor books. Amazon welcomes reviews. Individual librarians are welcome to post a personal review on their website.Thanks for bringing it to HaSafran subscribers,Amalia W. Sent from my iPad On Mar 4, 2022, at 8:48 AM, Judy Petersen via Hasafran wrote: Hi Marcia, I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it was biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they said they would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" display by the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they would just leave it on the shelf. I also brought the book to the attention of my local school district. Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just wanted to make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that it is a biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity and "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives don't also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the Middle East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a very positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools use to help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a positive that the book included a "map of Palestine", and that the book was recommended!! So they got the idea (I think/hope!) that multiple sources need to be checked prior to introducing a book into a collection. Judy Petersen Library Director Congregation Har Shalom Fort Collins, CO -Original Message- From: Marcia Goldstein via Hasafran To: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 1:34 pm Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book In a previous post, there was mention of the map in the book "Amazing Women of the Middle East" eliminating Israel (the area is labeled as Palestine). Have any communities contacted their local libraries about this book? If so, have any libraries removed it from their collection? Incidentally, Amazon is selling the book, with half of the reviews giving it one star for the inaccuracy portrayed by the map. Marcia Goldstein Maurer Jewish Community Library Indianapolis 317-509-6783 __ __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
A quick postscript to Amalia's message: I have also reached out, multiple times, to the book's U.S. distributor (Simon & Schuster). They have not answered any of my emails. Best, Erika On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 11:11 AM Amalia Warshenbrot via Hasafran < hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > Marcia, > Judy did all she can do. The issue was brought to my attention by a > children book author and I’m sure that she will email soon. > The book troubles me for more than one reason, how come even Golda Meir or > women from the Bible are not mentioned as AMAZING WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE EAST. > This is the third book with a map with no mention of the State if Israel > and we can always contact the publisher. > Having said that we, as a Jewish organization, must be careful when we > object to a book about Muslim women. In addition librarians can’t censor > books. > Amazon welcomes reviews. Individual librarians are welcome to post a > personal review on their website. > Thanks for bringing it to HaSafran subscribers, > Amalia W. > > Sent from my iPad > > On Mar 4, 2022, at 8:48 AM, Judy Petersen via Hasafran < > hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > > > Hi Marcia, > I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it > was biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they > said they would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" > display by the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they > would just leave it on the shelf. > I also brought the book to the attention of my local school > district. Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just > wanted to make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that > it is a biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity > and "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives > don't also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the > Middle East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a > very positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools > use to help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a > positive that the book included a "map of Palestine", and that the book was > recommended!! So they got the idea (I think/hope!) that multiple sources > need to be checked prior to introducing a book into a collection. > >Judy Petersen >Library Director >Congregation Har Shalom >Fort Collins, CO > > > -Original Message- > From: Marcia Goldstein via Hasafran > To: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 1:34 pm > Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book > > In a previous post, there was mention of the map in the book "Amazing > Women of the Middle East" eliminating Israel (the area is labeled as > Palestine). Have any communities contacted their local libraries about this > book? If so, have any libraries removed it from their collection? > Incidentally, Amazon is selling the book, with half of the reviews giving > it one star for the inaccuracy portrayed by the map. > > Marcia Goldstein > Maurer Jewish Community Library > Indianapolis > 317-509-6783 > __ > > __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
Marcia, Judy did all she can do. The issue was brought to my attention by a children book author and I’m sure that she will email soon. The book troubles me for more than one reason, how come even Golda Meir or women from the Bible are not mentioned as AMAZING WOMEN OF THE MIDDLE EAST. This is the third book with a map with no mention of the State if Israel and we can always contact the publisher. Having said that we, as a Jewish organization, must be careful when we object to a book about Muslim women. In addition librarians can’t censor books. Amazon welcomes reviews. Individual librarians are welcome to post a personal review on their website. Thanks for bringing it to HaSafran subscribers, Amalia W. Sent from my iPad > On Mar 4, 2022, at 8:48 AM, Judy Petersen via Hasafran > wrote: > > > Hi Marcia, > I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it was > biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they said they > would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" display by > the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they would just > leave it on the shelf. > I also brought the book to the attention of my local school district. > Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just wanted to > make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that it is a > biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity and > "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives don't > also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the Middle > East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a very > positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools use to > help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a positive that > the book included a "map of Palestine", and that the book was recommended!! > So they got the idea (I think/hope!) that multiple sources need to be checked > prior to introducing a book into a collection. > >Judy Petersen >Library Director >Congregation Har Shalom >Fort Collins, CO > > > -Original Message- > From: Marcia Goldstein via Hasafran > To: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 1:34 pm > Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book > > In a previous post, there was mention of the map in the book "Amazing Women > of the Middle East" eliminating Israel (the area is labeled as Palestine). > Have any communities contacted their local libraries about this book? If so, > have any libraries removed it from their collection? Incidentally, Amazon is > selling the book, with half of the reviews giving it one star for the > inaccuracy portrayed by the map. > > Marcia Goldstein > Maurer Jewish Community Library > Indianapolis > 317-509-6783 > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) > == > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!mnI8lh5PXYXq4k7l8O5IQNOz52CzDlloWvnsABnTL9Dl3ZW2VTiVmdPu0egVszW3Voc$ > > Earlier Listserver: > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!mnI8lh5PXYXq4k7l8O5IQNOz52CzDlloWvnsABnTL9Dl3ZW2VTiVmdPu0egVLxzdsD0$ > > AJL HomePage > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.JewishLibraries.org__;!!KGKeukY!mnI8lh5PXYXq4k7l8O5IQNOz52CzDlloWvnsABnTL9Dl3ZW2VTiVmdPu0egVFYPnSEo$ > > -- > Hasafran mailing list > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) > == > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!mnI8lh5PXYXq4k7l8O5IQNOz52CzDlloWvnsABnTL9Dl3ZW2VTiVmdPu0egVszW3Voc$ > > Earlier Listserver: >
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
Shalom, chaverim: A quick follow-up: I, too, brought this book to the attention of my local public library (in my case, the NYPL system). I emphasized that while I might have preferred a different editorial approach to the entire book (one that might have included Jewish women of the Middle East), subject selection is well within the realm of editorial/authorial choice. The map, however, is another matter. The library's response noted that the book would be retained, explaining: "Upon our reexamination of the map on pages 8 -9, which you specifically mention as being of concern because Israel is not labeled, we have determined that at no point in the book does it purport this is a complete or accurate depiction of the region, either current or historical, and that there are numerous other countries within the artistically rendered geographic area that are also unlabeled. The places that are labeled correspond directly to locations related to the subjects the author has chosen to include in the book." I have asked the Library to provide me with a list of the "numerous other countries...that are also unlabeled"; the Library has yet to respond to that request. Judy's point about balancing the values of diversity and different perspectives with avoiding bias/erasure (and, I would add, sheer inaccuracy in educational nonfiction) is spot on. The NYPL's response also quoted its Material Policy: "'Among this diverse population [the Library serves] there is an extremely wide range of viewpoints, values, interests, and occupations' and therefore we develop collections 'with a wide variety of materials representing many points of view.'" Judy is also correct about the *SLJ* review. I have a chain of email correspondence with an *SLJ *editor on that subject; the latest response assured me that they "are looking into it." *Publishers Weekly* and *Kirkus* have completed their investigations following my messages; both have updated their references to the map in their online reviews and noted that the reviews have been amended. Unfortunately, as Safranim who are also members of the "Mavens" kidlit group will recall, this is not the only (or even the most troubling) book of concern at the moment. I currently await a response from the NYPL regarding another book, COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD: AN ATLAS WITH ATTITUDE (Kingfisher Books), a reference book for children whose material on Israel is egregious. The NYPL owns/circulates exponentially more copies of this book than it does of AMAZING WOMEN. Shabbat shalom, Erika On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 8:49 AM Judy Petersen via Hasafran < hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > Hi Marcia, > I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it > was biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they > said they would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" > display by the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they > would just leave it on the shelf. > I also brought the book to the attention of my local school > district. Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just > wanted to make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that > it is a biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity > and "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives > don't also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the > Middle East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a > very positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools > use to help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a > positive that the book included a "map of Palestine", and that the book was > recommended!! So they got the idea (I think/hope!) that multiple sources > need to be checked prior to introducing a book into a collection. > >Judy Petersen >Library Director >Congregation Har Shalom >Fort Collins, CO > > > -Original Message- > From: Marcia Goldstein via Hasafran > To: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 1:34 pm > Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book > > In a previous post, there was mention of the map in the book "Amazing > Women of the Middle East" eliminating Israel (the area is labeled as > Palestine). Have any communities contacted their local libraries about this > book? If so, have any libraries removed it from their collection? > Incidentally, Amazon is selling the book, with half of the reviews giving > it one star for the inaccuracy portrayed by the map. > > Marcia Goldstein > Maurer Jewish Community Library > Indianapolis > 317-509-6783 > __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to:
Re: [ha-Safran] Controversial book
Hi Marcia, I asked my local public library to review the book. They agreed it was biased, but would not pull it from their collection. Instead, they said they would not feature it in any way (such as on a "book of the month" display by the entrance) so as not to appear to endorse it. Instead, they would just leave it on the shelf. I also brought the book to the attention of my local school district. Only a couple of schools have it in their libraries, and I just wanted to make the district administration and Diversity Liaison aware that it is a biased book. We had a discussion about while we may value diversity and "differing perspectives" we have to be careful that those perspectives don't also introduce bias (or in this case, erasure of Jews/Israel from the Middle East). And also that we can't always go by reviews--the book got a very positive review from the School Library Journal, which many schools use to help make purchasing decisions. The SLJ even mentioned it as a positive that the book included a "map of Palestine", and that the book was recommended!! So they got the idea (I think/hope!) that multiple sources need to be checked prior to introducing a book into a collection. Judy Petersen Library Director Congregation Har Shalom Fort Collins, CO -Original Message- From: Marcia Goldstein via Hasafran To: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu Sent: Thu, Mar 3, 2022 1:34 pm Subject: [ha-Safran] Controversial book In a previous post, there was mention of the map in the book "Amazing Women of the Middle East" eliminating Israel (the area is labeled as Palestine). Have any communities contacted their local libraries about this book? If so, have any libraries removed it from their collection? Incidentally, Amazon is selling the book, with half of the reviews giving it one star for the inaccuracy portrayed by the map. Marcia Goldstein Maurer Jewish Community Library Indianapolis 317-509-6783 __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!gkkokyEbJ_V-fJEp6g7_SQOxzfgiQOABVNc39KcKChCJK11RxZaU7gpx5jD52RaDonU$ Earlier Listserver: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!gkkokyEbJ_V-fJEp6g7_SQOxzfgiQOABVNc39KcKChCJK11RxZaU7gpx5jD5Si1Frgg$ AJL HomePage https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.JewishLibraries.org__;!!KGKeukY!gkkokyEbJ_V-fJEp6g7_SQOxzfgiQOABVNc39KcKChCJK11RxZaU7gpx5jD5zVGsuCo$ -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran __ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) == Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
