[LIBRARYDIR] checking out R-rated movies to minors

Fri Feb 17 13:21:57 PST 2017

Bellevue does circulate DVDs on a 3 day 1x renewal. We do not have policies or procedures limiting materials to users for any reason.
We do not own anything pornographic but do have plenty of films with some nudity, violence, or strong language (R). We do occasionally have college students who are younger than 17, but that is the exception (except for Running Start). Since our films are largely requested by instructors and relate to specific classes, our circulation numbers for films are rather low overall. We have not had any complaints or concerns reported.

Vivienne

___________________________
Vivienne McClendon, Ph.D., MLIS
Dean, Library Media Center, D260H
Bellevue College  |  425.564.3056  |
Bellevue, WA 98007-6484
vivienne.mcclendon at bellevuecollege.edu<file:///emailto/%20vivienne.mcclendon@bellevuecollege.edu>
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From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> on behalf of Sue Kennedy <sue.kennedy at centralia.edu<mailto:sue.kennedy at centralia.edu>>
Reply-To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Date: Friday, February 17, 2017 at 10:39 AM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] checking out R-rated movies to minors

This is a “tread carefully” topic, in my opinion. Don’t get bullied into access restrictions! Not sure what the story is, but it makes my hair stand a bit on edge.

I can’t find an RCW that relates to film ratings specifically.  It’s been interesting digging, though.  It seems that movie theaters don’t have a legal obligation to bar minors from R-rated films.  However, they aren’t barred from prohibiting minors from the theater for R-rated films.

However, under the RCW for Obscenity and Pornography (RCW 9.68), libraries of all kinds are exempt from the provisions relating to “erotic material” or anything that may fall under a legal definition of obscene.  So my view is R-rated films (while not obscene or pornographic) are just fine for anyone and we do not have to restrict access.

9.68.015
Obscene literature, shows, etc.—Exemptions.
Nothing in chapter 260, Laws of 1959 shall apply to the circulation of any such material by any recognized historical society or museum, the state law library, any county law library, the state library, the public library, any library of any college or university, or to any archive or library under the supervision and control of the state, county, municipality, or other political subdivision.

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Heilstedt, Sally
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:40 AM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] checking out R-rated movies to minors

KCLS: I couldn’t find theirs written anywhere, so I called the lovely Ask KCLS folks. They do not have any restrictions on borrowing based on age as all cards allow full access to resources/intellectual freedom. (They do encourage parents to participate in the check-out/borrowing process with their children.)

We do not have a policy about this.

Sally

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Tammy Siebenberg
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:18 AM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] checking out R-rated movies to minors

Cheyenne,

YVC doesn’t check out any films to students.  Only faculty and staff can check them out, so the rating is not an issue.

Tammy

Tammy R. Siebenberg
Director – Library & Media Services
Yakima Valley College
Yakima, WA  98902
(509) 574-4984
tsiebenberg at yvcc.edu<mailto:tsiebenberg at yvcc.edu>
www.facebook.com/YVCCLibrary<http://www.facebook.com/YVCCLibrary>

From: LIBRARYDIR [mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu] On Behalf Of Roduin, Cheyenne
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 10:56 AM
To: librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] checking out R-rated movies to minors

Good morning all,
Quick question: If your library has films (DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, Betamax (hahahahaha)) that you check out to patrons, how do you handle checking out R-Rated films to students under 17 years old (perhaps like Running Start students)?

And, bonus question, if you know how your local public library handles it, that would be helpful too.

Thanks much

Cheyenne M. Roduin
Library Director
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3000 NE 4th St. Renton, WA 98056
Phone: 425-235-2352, ext. 5571
Email: croduin at RTC.edu<mailto:croduin at RTC.edu>
www.RTC.edu<http://www.rtc.edu/>

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