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Saturday, February 14, 2026

Book banning and library closures?

Over the last few years, there have been conversations of banning specific types of books. From “classic literature” (such as “1984” and “Fahrenheit 451”) to certain historical novels (such as “Maus”, “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”). Even political, religious and sexuality based stories are on the list. Someone always has to find something inappropriate about everything we do lately, as noticed in the recent Broadway musicals I’ve attended.

Which brings me to the subject of other things disappearing: I ran into an incident this week where I wanted to request a couple specific CDs, movies, and audiobooks-on-CD from the library. The information the service desk gave me was quite interesting.

A few months ago, I had gone in to the library to request standard DVDs of a few recently released movies. As the Blu-Ray discs were “on order” and I don’t have a Blu Ray player, requesting that format would be moot; I’ve no way to play them. The librarian told me that if I ever see Blu-Ray and not standard, it’s because the library can’t obtain a normal copy. Some movies are being produced specifically for Blu-Ray and 4K streaming, and in no other format. Standard discs are going by the wayside and it is hard to find them online or in store.

All right, fine; I guess I either need to purchase a Blu-Ray player or wait for the films to be on the streaming channels. Times, they are a-changing and they aren’t fun, nor are they free.

Quite honestly, I’ve seen the items available online through “big box retailers”, so I don’t know if the library wants to get away from physical media all together, or they really are having a tough time ordering them on the internet.

Moving on to this week, my list was short enough that I thought there would not be any problems. The things I was looking for are already being produced in their various forms. I was hoping the library could obtain a copy. Who knows; there may be other patrons who would be interested in that item.

I inquired first about the music discs. The librarian told me, in no uncertain terms, that they aren’t ordering many compact discs these days because there hasn’t been a great need for them. People aren’t requesting music so there’s no way or reason to order that type of audio disc.

Okay. I guess I understand. People have their phones or tablets and stream all the sounds they want.

I then asked about the audiobook-on-CD items. The librarian gave me a similar explanation, with the exception being there is only one publishing house they can purchase from; and that may be hard because not everything may be put on disc through this particular site. There’s a limit on what is widely available due to other big names having the media rights to the recorded file.

Uh, okay, sure; “I think some of the audio books on the shelf may be from the major companies?” I asked. The short answer was “yes but it really depends on the book, the availability and if we can get it”. Thanks; I’ll keep that in mind for future reference

When I asked about the movies, I was given the same answer as the months prior: not everything is being put to DVD. There is a big chance of things not coming out on regular disc and since Blu-Ray discs are more expensive, the library is limiting what they purchase in order to have patrons request certain shows and movies.

Overall, there is no guarantee with anything I asked for, simply because the physical forms of media aren’t as readily available as they once were. People are streaming more these days and unfortunately, are not going to their local library.

I am sure there will be a day when even the new books aren’t published on paper and won’t be on the library shelves. Look how box stores (and book stores) aren’t keeping an array of hardcovers and paperbacks around. The bookstores are having limited quantities of “new releases” and the markup is so grand that they have to have you be a paying member for any type of saving. Within the last decade, the more people are buying smart phones, the more those mobile devices are tending to come with their own books app. It doesn’t matter if that’s Apple Books, Google Books or something in between. Basic tablets come pre-loaded with the Kindle app, unless you’re specifically buying a Kindle e-reader. Barnes and Noble have their own e-reader, Nook, so that would be the straight competitor to Kindle; however, it’s such a proprietary software thing, that you can’t download Nook to any device except a computer. I mean, the last I checked, you could install the Nook reading app to your Windows based computer, but you couldn’t get it on your cell phone or tablet, unless you purchased the standalone Nook reader. This is not to be confused with Amazon, who allows you to install Kindle on any Android based tablet, along with any type of cell phone. It is regardless of whether or not you purchase that e-reader. I could be wrong and am willing to be proven wrong.

It’s a horrible feeling knowing that you want to support the arts and your community and let everyone have the opportunity to have a library card so they can read a book, watch a movie or listen to a compact disc. Knowing that these materials you’re looking for won’t completely be around in a few years is sad. It’s not like I’m asking for the world on a string. I am looking for a book on tape CD so I can listen to it in my car or watch a 2 and a half hour film in the comfort of my living room.

I did attempt to go online the other day and see if I can place a request for the CDs. I received an email from the library stating “Thank you for submitting a library purchase request. The library is unable to add this title to the collection, however, it is available on our free streaming music service Hoopla” for one request and “Thank you for submitting a library purchase request. This title is unavailable to purchase this music CD from our library vendors” for the other. Guess that’s the final answer. It is too bad because it would have been great to preview the discs, should I end up paying for them myself on a streaming platform. I’m sure if I attempted to request some movies, I’d get a similar response. I take that back; I actually did get a similar response when I requested “Omni Loop”, a Mary Louise Parker movie. I’ve yet to stream online, even though I’ve not actively searched since requesting it.

I’ve talked to my friend Shawn about this and he too feels like society has been busy gravitating away from all the stuff we grew up on. Renting movies from places like Blockbuster, Hollywood Video and Showtime Video (this last one was a one off when I was young; I don’t think this was a big chain in New England at that time) is a thing of the past. Spending time after school at the local library and immersing yourself in quiet time to work on the new fiction novel is going to possibly fade out soon. He and I both agreed that there’s nothing like holding someone’s written work in your hands and spending hours reading chapter upon chapter.

It’s a big responsibility to keep track of that book and what you’ve read; I remember having a list of titles I went through every summer and was so happy to have completed the stack of them. Now I’m lucky if I can get through one a month, let alone over a dozen in three. You learn so much by submerging yourself in a good book; you can learn so much about yourself and life by keeping yourself educated.

If libraries go away, what will happen to the easy access in furthering our knowledge? When Borders and Waldenbooks went dark, Barnes and Noble capitalized on being that sole in-store provider. Now they expect you to pay $25 a year for a premium membership, only to get ten per cent off specific items. It is usually something that they mark up every time a shipment comes in, so it’s not even worth it (I paid over five dollars more for a “discounted” memoir in store, than I could have purchased online on Amazon, with Prime free shipping). This is partly why libraries should, and need to, still exist: they can alleviate some of that cost because it allows people to have access in unlocking their imagination. I know, I know, libraries still need to purchase the book (or movie, or CD). However, “our” tax dollars go to keeping libraries open and funded, so essentially, we are all paying for the shelves to be stocked with things to read, watch and listen to. Should libraries close, what will be next? If our only choice is to buy online, I’m sure we’ll be paying more for mailing and subscription services, unless all you’ll be able to do, is stream. No more holding something in your hand and turning a page. No more putting a disc into a player and watching a movie on your TV. Headphones and music readers, be damned, because you won’t be able to do that either.

I sound like “a boomer”, screaming at kids to “get off my lawn”. I’m not at that point yet, I promise. I’m just reminiscing about my past and what is going to become of my future, if we continue to let technology take over and lose the things we used to enjoy. Please don’t let these things go away. Let’s keep finding a way to keep the arts and media relevant so our future doesn’t look so bleak.

Thanks for reading and listening to my gripe today.

Until it all gets sorted, go out and support your local library. Take out a book and learn something new. Listen to some music and watch some old television series on DVD. Let’s get a re-awakening of borrowing stuff!


Cheers;  




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