Here is the full thread. The first email was sent to someone who's card I
was given from the front desk. I don't think they have much to do with the
collections so my email was kicked up to the Library Director - Mary Danko.
I would like my name and email to not be shared. Thanks.

<REDACTED>
<REDACTED>


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Mary Danko <mdanko@burlingtonvt.gov>
Date: Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 2:14 PM
Subject: RE: Harmful Books Found On the Shelf, Please Help
To: <REDACTED>
Cc: Melissa Hutson <mhutson@burlingtonvt.gov>, Emer P. Feeney <
efeeney@burlingtonvt.gov>


Thank you <REDACTED>.  I appreciate your kind response.  Have a great rest of
your week!  Mary :>)



Mary Danko

Library Director

[image: FFL 150th Badge]



*From:* <REDACTED>
*Sent:* Wednesday, July 26, 2023 1:52 PM
*To:* Mary Danko <mdanko@burlingtonvt.gov>
*Cc:* Melissa Hutson <mhutson@burlingtonvt.gov>; Emer P. Feeney <
efeeney@burlingtonvt.gov>
*Subject:* Re: Harmful Books Found On the Shelf, Please Help



[ WARNING ]: This email was sent from someone outside of the City of
Burlington.



Director Danko,



Thank you for your response and consideration. I appreciate the
thoughtfulness and care with which the library organizes and maintains its
collection. Learning about the Collection Development Policy gives me a
greater understanding and appreciation for the library as a whole. I am
happy to be a member. Thank you again : )



<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>





On Wed, Jul 26, 2023 at 12:37 PM Mary Danko <mdanko@burlingtonvt.gov> wrote:

Dear <REDACTED>,



Melissa forwarded me your email.  Thank you for reaching out about these
two books.



*The Abolition of Sex* by Kara Dansky is now missing and there are no plans
to replace this book.



*Trans* by Helen Joyce is still in our collection.  You may request to have
this book removed from our collection by filling out the attached form.
This will begin the process.

You can find our Collection Development Policy here:
https://www.fletcherfree.org/PoliciesAndGuidelines   I’ve also pasted it
below.



Thank you again and please reach out if I can be of further help.



Take care,

Mary





Mary Danko

Library Director

[image: FFL 150th Badge]



Purpose:
The purpose of the Collection Development Policy is to provide a framework
to guide selection decisions, and establish practices to maintain the
collection.



*Profile:*
As the largest public library in the state of Vermont, serving an immediate
population of over 42,000 people, The Fletcher Free Library provides access
to information to a diverse community.  Sixty languages are spoken in the
homes of Burlington’s school children.  Burlington is the home city for
several corporate headquarters, supports a thriving creativity sector, and
hosts the University of Vermont, Champlain College, and Burlington College.



*Philosophy:*
The Fletcher Free Library collects materials to support the Library’s
mission.  Materials are collected in a variety of formats for all ages.

Member use and demand is the most powerful influence in collection
development decisions.  Circulation statistics, title requests, and hold
levels are regularly evaluated to monitor the demand for materials.  High
demand may lead to the purchase of additional copies to provide access to
materials in a timely manner.

In keeping with the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights,
efforts are consistently made to avoid bias in the collection.  No beliefs,
be they from Librarian, Selector, Commissioner, or Library member, may
prevent another’s access to information.  The Library provides materials to
support each individual’s journey, and does not place a value on one
member’s needs or preferences over another’s.  The Library upholds the
right of the individual to access information, even though the content may
be controversial, unorthodox, or unacceptable to others.

The Library’s collection is an ever-changing entity.  As items are added,
others are reviewed for their ongoing value and sometimes removed from the
collection.  Great care is taken to retain or replace items that have
enduring value to the community.  Decisions are influenced by patterns of
use, budget, and space limitations, as well as local needs which preclude
the Library from duplicating the specialized and comprehensive collections
that exist elsewhere in the state of Vermont.  Access to these collections
is provided through interlibrary loan.

The Library’s Youth and Young Adult collections serve to encourage
recreational reading, support scholarly enquiry, and develop life-long
learning.  The collections should serve to stimulate interest, enhance
reading skills, and reflect the diversity of the community.  The reading
and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of the
parents/guardians who oversee and guide their own children’s
development.  The Fletcher Free Library does not intrude on that
relationship.



*Responsibility for Collection Management:*
Implementation of the Collection Development Policy and management of the
collection is assigned to Library staff.  Staff review the collection
regularly to maintain its viability and usefulness to the community.  The
Fletcher Free Library disposes of materials that have been withdrawn
according to the Criteria for Weeding and Withdrawal outlined below.  The
Friends of the Fletcher Free Library serves as an instrument for the
Library, reselling or redistributing withdrawn Library materials.

*Budgeting and Funding:*
Funding for the purchase of materials comes primarily from the City of
Burlington’s General Fund.  In 1995, a ½-cent tax was approved by
Burlington voters to ensure the vitality of the Library’s
collection.  Additional funding may come in the form of grants or donations.

*Selection Criteria and Maintenance:*
General criteria for selecting materials to be added to the Library’s
collection shall include, but not be limited to the following:

   - Relevance to the needs and interests of the community
   - Price, availability, and the Library’s materials budget
   - Date of publication
   - Suitability of the format for library circulation
   - Current or historical significance of the author or subject
   - Reputation and qualifications of the author, publisher, or producer,
   with preference generally given to titles vetted through the editing and
   publishing industry
   - Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths or weaknesses
   - Local significance of the author or subject
   - Extent of publicity, critical reception, and anticipated demand

Certain topics and types of materials become out-of-date more quickly than
others.  It is the Selector’s responsibility to ensure that the Library is
keeping up with current trends in their selection assignment ranges.

*Selection Aids:*
Selectors have a variety of tools to use in their selection
process.  Selectors employ their training, knowledge, expertise, and
familiarity with the Burlington community in making selection
decisions.  Additionally, the Library provides library and publishing trade
journals, attendance to professional conferences, vendor databases, and
catalogs to keep Selectors abreast of trends and forthcoming publications.

*Criteria for Weeding and Withdrawal:*
The decision to remove an item from the Library’s collection is as
important as the decision to add an item.  The process of removing items
from the Library’s collections is undertaken on an ongoing basis.  Criteria
for weeding and withdrawal of Library materials includes, but is not
limited to:

   - Damage or poor condition
   - Number of copies in the collection
   - Accuracy or timeliness
   - Current demand and frequency of use
   - Updated materials covering the topic available for acquisition
   - Relevance to the needs and interests of the community
   - Local interest
   - Potential availability in other formats or from other libraries
   - Enduring value of the content
   - Coverage of the topic within the Library’s collection
   - Limitations of shelving space

If the Selector directs, damaged or dated materials may be replaced with
newer copies or editions when available.  Other factors in the decision to
replace materials may include need, demand, and budgeting constraints.

*Format:*
The Library seeks to provide material appropriate for a wide range of users
and their needs.  The Library reserves the right to limit use of materials
due to formats not suitable for circulation.  These may include materials
that may sustain damage from normal library wear-and-tear that may prove
difficult to repair or replace.

*Gifts and Donations:*
The Fletcher Free Library accepts unrestricted, irrevocable gifts of books
and other library materials in good condition.  Gifts and donations are
accepted with the understanding that they will be evaluated by the same
criteria used to select and purchase materials for addition to the
collection.  If gifts do not meet these criteria, they may be conveyed to
the Friends of Fletcher Free Library for sales to benefit the Library,
recycled or otherwise distributed.  Gifts will not be returned to the donor
if they are not selected for the Library’s collection.

*Requests for Reconsideration:*
A member may submit a formal Request for Reconsideration in writing.  The
form is available online or at the Circulation Desk.  Upon receipt of a
completed Request for Reconsideration, the Library Director will appoint an
ad-hoc committee from the professional staff including, but not limited to,
the Selector for the subject area of the item in question and the
appropriate department head.  The committee will consider the request in
relation to the Library’s mission, policies, and selection criteria.  They
will then make a written recommendation to the Library Director, who will
make the final decision regarding the disposition of the material.  The
Library Director will communicate the decision, and the reasons for it, in
writing to the member who initiated the Request for Reconsideration.  The
Library Director will inform the Library Board of all Requests for
Reconsideration and the issued decision.

If the member who initiated the Request for Reconsideration is not
satisfied with the written decision of the Library Director, the decision
may be appealed to the Library Board of Commissioners and Trustees by
making a written request to the Chair of the Board.  The member making the
request will receive a reasonable opportunity to present an oral argument
at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.  The Board reserves the right to
limit the length of the presentation.  The Board will consider the merits
of the written decision in light of the Library’s policies, and will vote
to uphold or override the decision.  The Board’s vote determines the final
disposition of the material.

*You may download and print the Request for Reconsideration of Library
Materials using this PDF
<https://fletcherfree.org/sites/default/files/files/Request%20for%20reconsideration%20FORM%202023.pdf>.*

Approved by the Library’s Board of Commissioners 07/20/2015.

*Definition of Terms and Glossary:*

Acquisitions:  Used to describe the process where a title chosen by a
Selector is ordered, received, invoiced, and paid for before becoming part
of the Library’s collection.  Also used to refer to the team of Library
staff members responsible for performing these tasks.

Collection management:  Umbrella term covering all decisions made after an
item is part of the collection.  Caring for the collection includes
repairing, replacing, or withdrawing damaged materials, as well as
replacing dated materials with newer editions.

Selector:  A Librarian responsible for the choosing and weeding materials
to be added to the Library’s collections.  A Selector will be assigned a
range of topics or genres, and is expected to develop subject familiarity
and awareness within their assigned topics.  Using professional resources,
the selector identifies items for acquisition that will enhance the
Library’s members’ experience and knowledge.  A selector is expected to set
aside any personal bias, and to serve the community by covering issues from
all sides.

Weeding:  The process of identifying items that have become damaged, dated,
or have had low demand, amongst other considerations.  These items are
removed from the shelves and removed from the catalog.  Selecting items to
be weeded from the collection is as important to maintaining a healthy
collection as selecting items to be added to the collection.

American Library Association Library Bill of Rights:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement








------------------------------

*From:* <REDACTED>
*Sent:* Thursday, July 20, 2023 7:10 PM
*To:* Melissa Hutson <mhutson@burlingtonvt.gov>
*Subject:* Harmful Books Found On the Shelf, Please Help



You don't often get email from <REDACTED>. Learn why this
is important <https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification>

[ WARNING ]: This email was sent from someone outside of the City of
Burlington.



Dear Melissa,



Yesterday, I was at the library and came across two books that deeply upset
me; The Abolition of Sex by Kara Dansky and Trans by Helen Joyce. I brought
them to the front desk to express my concern and was given your card. I
hope this is a matter you can help resolve. If not, please forward my email
along to someone who can. I appreciate your time.



Both of these books support and promote the ideas and political goals of
terfs. TERF is an acronym meaning Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist. It
has been adopted as a moniker by women across the US and UK
<https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/9/5/20840101/terfs-radical-feminists-gender-critical>
who seek to eradicate transgender people from public life. Using "gender
critical" talking points, these books promote violence and harm against
trans and gender nonconforming people
<https://www.vox.com/first-person/22977970/anti-trans-legislation-texas-idaho>
in our community.



It upsets me to see these books in our library. It frightens me to know
that hate is being supported and shared. I request that these books be
removed from rotation if not discarded all together.



Both are clearly part of the terf movement
<https://twitter.com/KDansky/status/1526592504128327682>; making false
claims from cherry picked arguments about the safety of woman's spaces,
protecting bathrooms and sports teams, fear mongering parents into strict
control of their children. However moral they claim their goals to be, it
is a facade. Terfs advocate for the oppression of trans people everywhere.
As such, terfs are complicit in all forms of oppression. Kara Dansky has
been a guest on the Tucker Carlson show
<https://www.foxnews.com/video/6293454930001#sp=show-clips>. Helen Joyce
has been a guest on Jordan Peterson's podcast
<https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/podcast/trans-when-ideology-meets-reality-helen-joyce-ep-287/>.
Terf rhetoric and politics are agreeable with and a gateway to much more
extreme, harmful ideologies. Trans movements are openly supportive of white
supremacy
<https://www.thenation.com/article/society/transphobia-white-supremacy/>, QAnon
conspiracy
<https://thenewinquiry.com/from-gender-critical-to-qanon-anti-trans-politics-and-the-laundering-of-conspiracy/>
and Nazism <https://transsafety.network/posts/the-big-lie/>.



The harm posed by terfs is more than abstract. It has a very real cost on
the lives of trans people across the US
<https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2022>.
And an especially negative effect on trans youth
<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/16/us-trans-non-binary-youth-suicide-mental-health>.
Anti-trans violence
<https://news.berkeley.edu/2021/06/25/why-is-anti-trans-violence-on-the-rise-in-america/>
is on the rise and new laws of oppression <https://translegislation.com/>
are coming at an alarming rate. Terfs are a part of this. Terfs motivate
this. Terfs advocate for these policies and vote to push them through. It
is a frightening time to be transgender. It is frightening to have any
civil rights or bodily autonomy because anti-trans legislation does not
stop at oppressing trans people
<https://19thnews.org/2022/07/abortion-transgender-men-nonbinary-reproductive-rights/>.
The civil rights for all queer people, all women
<https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-gillian-branstetter.html>
and people of color are on the line
<https://jacobin.com/2023/03/uk-liberal-transphobia-mainstream-media-far-right-politics-moral-panic>.




These books are harmful to our community. They promote ideas of hate and
advocate for policies of oppression. They are gateways to even more extreme
and hateful ideologies. I am upset, disappointed and frightened to see them
on our library shelves. Trans liberation is critical for all liberation
<https://lgbtiqa.greenparty.org.uk/2022/02/28/why-trans-liberation-is-critical-for-all-liberation/>;
no one is free until we all are free. Please consider removing these two
books from library shelves. Hate has no place in Burlington.



<REDACTED>

<REDACTED>

Please note that this communication and any response to it will be
maintained as a public record and may be subject to disclosure under the
Vermont Public Records Act.