Support to a librarian prosecuted for having lent a book to a minor (ITA).

["MARCO MARANDOLA" <marandol@hotmail.com>]

The Italian Ministry of Social Affairs published a list of 'recommended'
books to inform minors on the bad effect of illegal drugs. One of these
books has a potentially offensive title: 'scopami' (a sexual reference
that translates in English to 'f*** me').

In a school library in a small city in Italy (Fanano), a librarian loaned
the aforementioned book to a minor (authorized by the minor's parents to
use the library service).

Once the minor arrived to the parental home with the book, it was made an
allegation against the librarian for diffusion of pornographic material to
a minor, which is regarded as a very serious crime in Italy.

The Librarian has been found guilty with the first verdict. The appeal
does not appear to be easy. The public minister has declared that this
will be a 'case in point,' that is to say that the Public Minister wishes
that the verdict sets a precedent for future proceedings.

At the present time the Librarian cannot leave her house due to the social
condemnation of the residents of the small city and it is likely that she
will loose her job.

The final trial and judgment will be on the 17th of June.

Copyrightandculture.com is asking Libraries to subscribe a petition in
defense of the condemned Italian Library for having lent a book with an
obscene title and content to a minor who had been authorized by his
parents to use the services of the library. The stated text was in a list
of books of suggested reading by the Ministry of Social Affairs because it
presented a strong criticism for the use of drugs to adolescents.

The text in: www.copyrightandculture.com- focus

Adhesions may be forwarded to marandol @ tiscali.it
The deadline is Friday 10th of june.

Best wishes.

Marco Marandola
IFLA CLM
FAIFE list
www.copyrightandculture.com