http://www.presspassq.com/detail.cfm?id=66

October 2006

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Papers not restricted at Ohio library

The article “Fighting a library ban: Start with publicity, then make phone calls” (Press Pass Q, June 2006) mentions that Brian Perera, a trustee for the Upper Arlington Public Library in Ohio "introduced a measure to restrict access to" publications. Not so. I know this because I am trustee Brian Perera.

Another member of the board was sponsoring a resolution to ban four publications by name, and I suggested an alternative that would move all free publications to an area of the library where other periodicals were placed. Not in the basement or behind the counter, or where someone would have to request them — reported as such, yet inaccurate.

After the ban motion was withdrawn, I did not pursue my alternative, so the papers continue to reside on shelves in the library, where I continue to support their presence.

Many people in the alternative newspaper community were led to believe that I wanted to ban or restrict access to the papers in question. That is not true, as I am a supporter of the First Amendment and the newspapers in question.

I think this issue will resurface at some point in my serving on the board, and I plan to continue to support open access to materials.

Thank you for the opportunity to correct this item.

Brian Perera