For SEX EDUCATION, See Librarian: A Guide to Issues and Resources

by Martha Cornog, Timothy Perper

Overview

At long last, here is the definitive practical guide to sexuality materials in libraries and an annotated bibliography of nearly 600 recommended books for school and public libraries. Cornog and Perper, the preeminent experts on sexuality materials for libraries, provide guidelines for materials selection, reference, processing, access, programming, and dealing with problems of vandalism and censorship. The bibliography, organized into 5 topics and 48 subtopics, annotates a collection of recommended books and nonprint materials on sexuality information for children and adults, most published since 1985. Recommended works represent a wide variety of views, including Christian and conservative.

Part I offers detailed guidance for selecting and processing sexuality materials, including vertical files, audiovisuals, and periodicals, and for doing reference on sexuality topics; lists a full range of topics and viewpoints that libraries should collect; addresses a variety of processing and access issues such as cataloging, programming, and vandalism; discusses how to deal with censorship issues relating to sexuality materials in the library; and reviews the history of libraries and sexuality materials. Part II, the annotated bibliography, is organized into 5 broad topics—sexuality and behavior, homosexuality and gender issues, life cycle issues, sex and society, and sexual problems—which are then divided into 48 subtopics. Each title is compared and contrasted with similar titles. Titles for young people include grade level appropriateness. Specialized acquisition sources are also listed for each of the 48 subtopics. Cornog and Perper point out that the key to selection of materials is balance and representativeness of a wide range of viewpoints. They have gone to great lengths to provide a wide variety of materials and viewpoints and to seek out interesting and valuable materials from large and small publishers and organizations. This is the definitive guide on sexuality information for public and school libraries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313290220
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/28/1996
Series:	Contemporary Writers
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.06(d)
Lexile:	1280L (what's this?)

About the Author

Martha Cornog, MA, MLS, edited Libraries, Erotica, & Pornography (1991), which won the American Library Association's Eli M. Obeler Award for Intellectual Freedom in 1992. With her husband, Timothy Perper, she has written articles on sexuality materials in the library for Library Jourbanal, Collection Building, Jourbanal of Information Ethics, and SIECUS Report. She has also published on sexual language and communication and contributed to The Complete Dictionary of Sexology (1995) andIHuman Sexuality: An Encyclopedia (1994). She and Timothy Perper are currently preparing a work on Sex and Religion in Modern America. She has been active in the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex and served on the editorial board of The Jourbanal of Sex Research. She is manager of membership services for the American College of Physicians.

Timothy Perper, PhD,is the author of Sex Signals: The Biology of Love (1985) and co-editor of A Descriptive Dictionary and Atlas of Sexology (Greenwood, 1991). He has published on human as well as animal sexuality, contributing to Human Sexuality: An Encyclopedia (1994) and authored or co-authored three chapters in Libraries, Erotica, & Pornography (1991), edited by his wife, Martha Cornog. An independent writer, researcher, and lecturer, he is active in the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex and a former book review editor of The Jourbanal of Sex Research.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Librarians, Education, and Sexuality
The Role of Libraries in Sexuality Education
Sex Education: Past and Present
History of Libraries and Sexuality Materials
Topics, Viewpoints, and Genres for Sex Education Collection Development
Selection and Evaluation
Other Sexuality Materials: Vertical File Holding, Periodicals, Literature, and Audiovisuals
From Access to Vandalism
Censorship and Other Considerations that Vary by Type of Library and Type of Collection
Resources and Commentary
Guide to Reading Part II
Sexuality and Behavior
Homosexuality and Gender Issues
Life Cycle Issues
Sex and Society
Sexual Problems

What People are Saying About This

William R. Stayton

The authors, Martha Cornog and Tim Perper, are to be highly commended for writing a book that is so engrossing that it held my attention as if I were reading an exciting novel. Their writing style is creative, concise and thought-provoking.

^B^XPeggy Brick

NOT for librarians only, this book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the socio-historical aspects of sexuality as revealed in books available in different eras. The analysis of the issues surrounding current discourse on sexuality, as well as the savvy annotations, will be especially valuable for sexuality educators.

Vern L. Bullough

This is a book which every librarian should read and treasure and make certain it finds its way into their permanent library collection…Perhaps the most valuable part of the book is the lengthy guide to books and materials about sexuality and which both veteran librarians and novice ones can benefit from….But the book is not just for librarians. Anyone interested in censorship, in the kind of information available on sexual topics, and even that rare bird, the interested general reader should find the books worth reading.

^X^BWilliam R. Stayton

The authors, Martha Cornog and Tim Perper, are to be highly commended for writing a book that is so engrossing that it held my attention as if I were reading an exciting novel. Their writing style is creative, concise and thought-provoking.

^B^XSandy Berman^LHead Cataloger

Thoughtful, practical, intriguing, and comprehensive, …[this book] belongs in all public, school, and academic libraries.

Harriet Selverstone

For SEX EDUCATION, See Librarian is a definitive sourcebook of sexuality materials for all branches and fields of librarianship. With both breadth and depth and respect for the spectrum of perspectives, it cites and critiques materials which cover the most critical and controversial aspects of learning about sexuality. In addition, the authors offer expert commentary on sexuality in society, its problems and pleasures, and indicate how these materials may be used for research and reference needs.

Andrew M. Greeley Professor of Social Science

The authors have done a marvelous job of pulling together a vast amount of resources on the subject of sex education. Everybody will be enthusiastic about the fact that they have done such a comprehensive resource from which people may make their own choices. The book is truly indispensable.

^B^XAndrew M. Greeley Professor of Social Science

The authors have done a marvelous job of pulling together a vast amount of resources on the subject of sex education. Everybody will be enthusiastic about the fact that they have done such a comprehensive resource from which people may make their own choices. The book is truly indispensable.

^X^BHarriet Selverstone

For SEX EDUCATION, See Librarian is a definitive sourcebook of sexuality materials for all branches and fields of librarianship. With both breadth and depth and respect for the spectrum of perspectives, it cites and critiques materials which cover the most critical and controversial aspects of learning about sexuality. In addition, the authors offer expert commentary on sexuality in society, its problems and pleasures, and indicate how these materials may be used for research and reference needs.

^B^XAndrew M. Greeley^LProfessor of Social Science

The authors have done a marvelous job of pulling together a vast amount of resources on the subject of sex education. Everybody will be enthusiastic about the fact that they have done such a comprehensive resource from which people may make their own choices. The book is truly indispensable.

^B^XVern L. Bullough

This is a book which every librarian should read and treasure and make certain it finds its way into their permanent library collection…Perhaps the most valuable part of the book is the lengthy guide to books and materials about sexuality and which both veteran librarians and novice ones can benefit from….But the book is not just for librarians. Anyone interested in censorship, in the kind of information available on sexual topics, and even that rare bird, the interested general reader should find the books worth reading.

^X^BRobert Selverstone

This extraordinarily thoughtful, challenging and comprehensive resource is essential reading - and not just for librarians! All who care about the myriad issues of sexuality - and the intelligent treatment of and access to them - will be rewarded by this book again and again. Cornog and Perper's powerful message holds true for sexuality education, for library/information concerns, and for the challenge of living in a democratic society - 'the debate is the message.' For SEX EDUCATION, See Librarian is a unique contribution toward informing the debate.

Sandy Berman Head Cataloger

Thoughtful, practical, intriguing, and comprehensive, …[this book] belongs in all public, school, and academic libraries.

^B^XSandy Berman Head Cataloger

Thoughtful, practical, intriguing, and comprehensive, …[this book] belongs in all public, school, and academic libraries.

Peggy Brick

NOT for librarians only, this book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the socio-historical aspects of sexuality as revealed in books available in different eras. The analysis of the issues surrounding current discourse on sexuality, as well as the savvy annotations, will be especially valuable for sexuality educators.

Robert Selverstone

This extraordinarily thoughtful, challenging and comprehensive resource is essential reading - and not just for librarians! All who care about the myriad issues of sexuality - and the intelligent treatment of and access to them - will be rewarded by this book again and again. Cornog and Perper's powerful message holds true for sexuality education, for library/information concerns, and for the challenge of living in a democratic society - 'the debate is the message.' For SEX EDUCATION, See Librarian is a unique contribution toward informing the debate.

Editorial Reviews

Part 1 concentrates on the theoretical and practical aspects of sexuality materials in the library (e.g., selection, access, and censorship). Part 2 has 48 topical sections (e.g., Life Cycle Issues, Sexual Problems, Sex and Society). Each topical section has a well-written introductory narrative and annotated bibliography. Part 2 is the more impressive, showing devotion to detail and including representative viewpoints. . . . Highly recommended for school libraries and general readers.” —Choice

“Still mindful of educating librarians on the need for sexuality collections, [Cornog and Perper] begin their book by discussing the role of the library in supporting community sex education programs. The authors also furbanish practical information on organizing and accessing the diverse materials available in various subject areas and genres. They address censorship issues, giving advice on how to deal with complaints and challenges. . . . [T]his guide to sexuality materials is an indispensable resource for building collections in this complex and sensitive subject area.” —Library Jourbanal

“Reading the book constitutes a thorough course in materials published about sex and the philosophy behind their selection. A chapter called 'Lfe Cycle Issues' is helpful in evaluating the elements of sexuality in materials for youth. . . . [I]t is an excellent choice for a district or regional library. . . . This accessibly written book provides an enriched background. Recommended.” —The Book Report

“Let me start by saying that every librarian—school, public, academic, regardless of age-groups served—should read and use this important and unique contribution to the professional literature. Those who use the book solely for the annotated resource lists in the second part will miss the point and value of this work, which lie in the chapters exploring the history of libraries in sex education, selection and evaluation of materials, access, censorship, building a balanced collection, and, most important, exploring the reasons it is incumbent upon librarians, wherever they work and whatever their personal viewpoint, to purchase a wide range of materials for their patrons. . . . The treatment is comprehensive and evenhanded, and the straightforward, non-academic writing style, which is laced with humor, is a breath of fresh air.” —VOYA

“[I]t does offer the most intelligent, rational, and straightforward analysis and discussion of some critical issues that is available. . . . [A]n excellent source of information about the best available sexuality materials.” —Jourbanal of Information Ethics

From the Publisher

The focus of the authors' previous publication, Libraries, Erotica, and Pornography (Professional Reading, LJ 4/1/91), was to urge librarians to collect and provide access to materials on sexuality. In this new book, Cornog and Perper reinforce their encouragement by providing access guidelines and collection development criteria, as well as recommending specific titles for purchase. Still mindful of educating librarians on the need for sexuality collections, they begin their book by discussing the role of the library in supporting community sex education programs. The authors also furnish practical information on organizing and accessing the diverse materials available in various subject areas and genres. They address censorship issues, giving advice on how to deal with complaints and challenges. Public, school, and academic libraries are discussed separately, with emphasis on each library type's set of unique concerns. The book's real value can be found in "Part 2: Resources and Commentary." These final five chapters are divided into 48 topical sections covering a wide array of sexual behavior. Each section contains a bibliographic essay followed by annotated citations of recommended works. Intended primarily for public and school libraries, this guide to sexuality materials is an indispensable resource for building collections in this complex and sensitive subject area.Eloise R. Hitchcock, Tennessee Technological Univ. Lib., Cookeville

Library Journal

A practical guide to sexuality materials, including an annotated bibliography of nearly 600 recommended titles for school and public libraries. Discusses how to accommodate Christian and conservative perspectives, material on homosexuality and gender issues, vandalism, censorship, the history of sexuality literature in libraries, titles appropriate for different grade levels, and other topics. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews