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TO: PARMLY BILLINGS LIBRARY BOARD FROM: BILL COCHRAN, LIBRARY DIRECTOR JIM PETERS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RE: STATEMENT OF CONCERN ABOUT DROP DEAD BEAUTIFUL MEETING DATE: APRIL 9, 2009 Attached is a “Statement of Concern About Library Resources” submitted by Delores Curran. STATEMENT REQUEST Ms. Curran checked out the book Drop Dead Beautiful by Jackie Collins and “quit after the beginning.” She reports that ‘I was surprised at the use of four letter words.” She says “I know it happens & even on TV, but it spoiled what I thought was a good story, plot or idea.” Though making no recommendation regarding the book, she concludes by saying “you can’t keep this from happening, but I hope my great grand children aren’t subject to others like this.” BACKGROUND Jackie Collins is one of today’s most popular authors whose books are known for their glamorous locations and characters as well as for the sexual content of her books. A review of this book in Booklist says that “there are many subplots, lots of tangential characters and loads of steamy sex. Collins fans, and fans of the genre, will be clamoring for this one.” The Library has 19 different books, in different formats, by Jackie Collins. There is one copy of this book in large type which has circulated five times and two copies in regular type that have circulated a total of 24 times. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Ms. Curran is not asking for any changes to be made in the book or its location in the Library, but rather expressing her concern over the language in the book and the possibility of her grand children reading it. Staff points out that since this work of fiction is found on the second floor of the Library, it is not likely that children would be checking out something from this area without their parents consent or knowledge. The Library also has a Parental Guidance Option which gives parents the ability to place certain restrictions on the materials their minor child can check out from the Library. Staff recommends retaining the title in the collection.