Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Suggestion:
I read a book for my graduate class (The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien). This book was catalogued in the Children's Collection, but due to the graphic nature of many of the stories in the book (it is about soldiers in the Vietnam War) I didn't know if this was an appropriate place for the book. I just wanted to make you aware.

Response:
Thank you for your email in our Library Suggestion Box. Your question concerned the graphic nature of Tim O’Brien’s book “The Things They Carried”. This book was actually written for the teenage audience, which is why we placed it in our Children’s Collection. Our Collection ranges from young children through teens as far as coverage. Although graphic, it is located appropriately. Keep in mind that our Children’s Collection is not a Children’s Library in that it is designed to be a teaching collection for TWU students to use in their studies – be it reading, library science, art, education, etc. Children do not have library privileges at TWU so the likelihood of it being checked out by a younger reader is slim.

I appreciate your interest in the TWU Libraries and thank you for your thoughts.

Kris Reed
Assistant Dean of Libraries
Texas Woman’s University