Basic Instinct Questioned at Arkansas PL

-- Library Journal, 10/24/2006

Calling the unrated director’s cut of Basic Instinct “pornography,” a patron of the Rogers Public Library, AR, has called for the film to be withdrawn from the collection. For now, pending a decision in November, the movie will be on reserve for the staff and board, according to the Northwest Arkansas News. The movie’s popular enough—it’s been checked out 22 times since it was donated last December. While the movie cover says it has scenes “too hot to be shown” in the original release, some staff members and board members suggested that the library be more explicit, attached a “sexual content” label. While the patron was concerned that children might check out the video, library director Judy Casey pointed out that parents can deny their kids the capacity to borrow videos. A staff search showed that at least two larger libraries—in Fort Worth and St. Louis—had the director’s cut.