Words are dangerous

I know kunstarniki at least was following the debate over the Newbery-award winning book that dares to use the word "scrotum". Some youth librarians cast aspersions on the book's suitability for young children, the New York Times interpreted this to mean that libraries would be banning the book, and "hilarity" ensued.

Some follow-up from the library blog world:
"Thoughts on the Great Scrotum Kerfuffle of 2007" is an excellent overview of the whole situation and points out lessons learned, including "What you say on a list serv may come back to bite you in the scrotum later."
A bibliography of scrotums in youth-targeted fiction.
An overview, lots of links.

On a lighter note, Library Ninja says: Sometimes books are best!

Okay...

So remember my post about the Illinois bill that would place a sweeping ban on social networking sites in schools and libraries?

Turns out that the state senator who sposored it, Matt Murphy, has a blog. Which is on Blogger. Which is one of the sites that would be blocked if this bill passes.

Maybe he hasn't quite thought that one through....