The MPAA makes it very clear that their ratings system is only for movie theater use. I agree with Jaema. Patrons should be the ones to decide what is appropriate for themselves and their kids. Otherwise you are pre-censoring a lot based on someone else's decisions. I've worked at several libraries and worked on several selection policies and have not previously run into a library that censors all R rated movies. Connie On Thu, Jul 12, 2018 at 10:55 AM, Jaema Berman via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:

Our opinion is that it is the patron's responsibility to decide what movie content they are comfortable with. We feel it is not the library's job to police what people watch. The content of the movie is not a reflection on the "character" of the library. There are many awarded films that have an R rating and we focus on acquiring movies of *quality* regardless of the rating. Sincerely, Jaema Berman

------------------------------ *From: *"michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> *To: *"michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> *Sent: *Wednesday, July 11, 2018 2:27:04 PM *Subject: *[Michlib-l] Rated R movies

Currently, my library does not collect rated R movies per the selection policy. What's your library's stance on that and why?

Thanks!

Amber L Hughey, MLIS Director Bridgeport Public Library

_______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l

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-- Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing -- The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is  not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly  prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments.

Here is Lance's post: https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/0,2351,7-160-18668_69405_18689-38... ________________________________ From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> on behalf of Kay Hurd via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2018 11:32 AM To: ConnieJo Ozinga Cc: michlib-l Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Rated R movies Several years ago Lance Werner sent out a copy of an article that he had written while he was at the Library of Michigan regarding public libraries and MPAA ratings. It was very informative and helpful. Kay Hurd Director Almont District Library 213 W. St. Clair P.O. Box 517 Almont, MI 48003 (810)798-3100 voice (810)798-2208 fax khurd@adlmi.org<mailto:khurd@adlmi.org> www.adlmi.org On Jul 12, 2018, at 11:00 AM, ConnieJo Ozinga via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> wrote: The MPAA makes it very clear that their ratings system is only for movie theater use. I agree with Jaema. Patrons should be the ones to decide what is appropriate for themselves and their kids. Otherwise you are pre-censoring a lot based on someone else's decisions. I've worked at several libraries and worked on several selection policies and have not previously run into a library that censors all R rated movies. Connie On Thu, Jul 12, 2018 at 10:55 AM, Jaema Berman via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> wrote: Our opinion is that it is the patron's responsibility to decide what movie content they are comfortable with. We feel it is not the library's job to police what people watch. The content of the movie is not a reflection on the "character" of the library. There are many awarded films that have an R rating and we focus on acquiring movies of quality regardless of the rating. Sincerely, Jaema Berman ________________________________ From: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> To: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org>> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 2:27:04 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] Rated R movies Currently, my library does not collect rated R movies per the selection policy. What's your library's stance on that and why? Thanks! Amber L Hughey, MLIS Director Bridgeport Public Library _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l -- Connie Jo Ozinga Library Director Commerce Township Community Library 180 E. Commerce Commerce, MI 48390 (248) 669-8108 x101 www.commercelibrary.info<http://www.commercelibrary.info/> Raising a reader is: Talking * Singing * Reading * Writing * Playing [X] The information contained in this electronic message is intended only for the use of the designated recipient(s). If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, forwarding or copying of this message is strictly prohibited, and we request that you delete the original message and all attachments. _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org> http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l

I agree - patrons should have the option of checking out a R rated movie if they wish. There are many excellent and important films that are R rated that are award winners - like The Revenant and 12 Years A Slave. I strongly feel that limiting the shelves to G, PG, and PG-13 movies is very limiting for our patrons. And it's not up to us to say what people are allowed to watch. From: "Jaema Berman" <jberman@tln.lib.mi.us> To: "a hughey" <a.hughey@bridgeportlibrary.org> Cc: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2018 10:55:45 AM Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Rated R movies Our opinion is that it is the patron's responsibility to decide what movie content they are comfortable with. We feel it is not the library's job to police what people watch. The content of the movie is not a reflection on the "character" of the library. There are many awarded films that have an R rating and we focus on acquiring movies of quality regardless of the rating. Sincerely, Jaema Berman From: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> To: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2018 2:27:04 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] Rated R movies Currently, my library does not collect rated R movies per the selection policy. What's your library's stance on that and why? Thanks! Amber L Hughey, MLIS Director Bridgeport Public Library _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l