The New York Public Library will keep six controversial books by Dr. Sit on the shelves despite this week’s decision to stop posting due to racist images.
The library, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, said it would not censor the books and would keep the controversial titles in circulation until they no longer have the proper form to lend them, a spokeswoman said.
“As with all public libraries, the New York Public Library does not censor books,” said library spokeswoman Angela Montefinise.
“In this case, Dr. Seuss Enterprises is removing the six titles in question, so the few copies we have of those titles will continue to circulate until they are no longer in acceptable condition,” Montefinise said.
“Meanwhile, librarians, who are deeply concerned with serving their communities and ensuring accurate and diverse representation in our collections (especially children’s books), are sure to firmly consider this information when planning stories, exhibitions and recommendations, ”he said.
Montefinise said the books are also part of the library’s historical research collection.
A spokesman for the Brooklyn Public Library said Wednesday that the books also remain in circulation there. Queens Public Library officials said they are studying whether to move the books to their reference section, but noted that “we are firmly against censorship.”
Half a dozen books by Dr. Seuss, called Theodor Seuss Geisel, made headlines this week when the company that publishes Penguin Random House titles said it would no longer publish them.
The six books: “If I Ran the Zoo,” “And Think That I Saw It at Mulberry Street,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond Zebra !,” “Scrambled Eggs Super!” And “The Cat’s Quizzer” – have been the focus of fire in recent years due to their stereotypical interpretation of different ethnic and racial groups.
But major libraries, including the Denver Public Library, said this week that they would also keep those titles on their shelves.