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Michael Rogers

Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
June 3, 2008

What is it with librarians and Harry Potter and lawyers? First we have Jo Rowling suing a librarian for ripping her off (I’m still waiting impatiently for that one to be settled), now comes this nasty little story about a librarian suing over a Potter-related event. According to the Heartland News, former Poplar Bluff PL, staffer Deborah Smith, has filed suit against the Missouri facility claiming she was suspended for ten days sans pay for refusing to work a Harry Potter book party, which she declined because of her religious beliefs. She’s a Southern Baptist and believes Harry promotes the occult and witchcraft—oy!

Not only was she suspended and docked pay, but claims her duties also were altered when she returned to work, including being given physical labor like emptying book drops (she has a pacemaker).So, she quit, reportedly on her doctor’s advice, and now is suing through the ACLU for violations of her civil and First Amendment rights. Without hearing the library’s side of the story—no doubt an entirely different take on the situation—I have to say Smith seems to have a good case and that the library bosses screwed up badly. I’ve had crappy managers over the years, but none of them ever tried to kill me (although I’m sure some of them thought about it—woohoo!)

Posted by Michael Rogers on June 3, 2008 | Comments (7)

June 3, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
Sick and Tired commented:

Although these supervisors obviously made some grave errors, it sounds like this woman is just trying to cause trouble. IMHO those that allow their personal beliefs to get in the way of the library's mission do not belong in the library.

June 3, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
Texan commented:

Sounds like the woman should not have worked in a public library. While I respect the religious beliefs of others, this staff person is bringing her personal judgements to the library. a library -within reason- should be open to literary ideas and writtings.

June 3, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
Arizona loud and clear commented:

10 days without pay for not wanting to work a Harry Potter event? Harsh too harsh. Who would have ever thought working at a public library would interfer with your religious beliefs. She has the right, we all do. If she wins she got the best of both worlds. Got out from under crappy management and still get paid!

June 3, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
Arizona loud and clear commented:

June 3, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
More than meets the eye commented:

As a wise man (or was it a woman) once said, "There is no pancake so thin that it does not have two sides." It could be that the library managers messed up, but it is just as likely that the Potter party incident was the final straw in a long history of incidents of insubordination. The 10 day suspension most likely comes from being insubordinate, and NOT following the proper policy/ procedure to voice any religious concerns/objections. It will be interesting to see how this plays out..

June 13, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
Old Timer commented:

For a library to be a center for freedom speech, down with censorship, etc., why do we often have to set our own values aside and do what someone else desires. I create the signs for our system announcing the holiday closings. The sign I created for Easter was criticized because in the blurred background of an Easter Lily was a cross. We printed a sign with a blank background. Wouldn't this be censorship?

July 9, 2008
In response to: Librarian Sues Over Potter Party
Jewish Librarian commented:

In response to Old Timer, it is bad enough that I cannot use my library as a patron on a holiday that means nothing to me. You also want me to have to see that my public library serving all faiths is putting out public notices with crosses? How about making me reluctant to enter a place pushing one religion? You can be religious and use crosses all you want in your personal life but it does not belong in state supported institution which I'm assuming you are in.