I was rather saddened to read the “logic/rationale” used by Mrs. Alysia Coats in her attempt to ban “Beyond Magenta: Trans Teens Speak Out.” (“RSU 1 to decide on book about trans teens,” Oct. 7). Her main premise was two-fold: Her child “is exposed to this book because it’s on a library shelf” and “his father and I are not OK with it.” And, “What the book says is irrelevant … it’s that the topic … does not belong in a school (library).”

Apparently, Mrs. Coats has forgotten the time-honored function of all grade and high schools, colleges and universities to expose students to the vast knowledge imparted to mankind by various academic disciplines. Knowledge is useful. How it is judged/employed can be problematic, however. Knowledge is power: having the ability to ascertain truth and validity. Knowledge is also freedom: Possessing it allows one to construct meaningful solutions to myriad problems, thus taking control of one’s future.

Years ago, as a graduate student, the Radcliffe Science Library at Oxford University was literally my home for three years. This splendid resource, with its controversial and noncontroversial academic material, challenged me both to “go beyond the cover” of any book and to read and discover new, and sometimes, frightening concepts. All libraries must continue to house books that allow self-discovery.

What a book “says” is highly relevant. It imbues one with useful knowledge required to understand and control one’s future. Life is not perfect, but having knowledge from a wide variety of sources allows one to understand unusual circumstances better and to gain empathy and caring, as a means to deal with any circumstance.

John M. Mishler
Harpswell