The New York Public Library will keep six controversial Dr. Seuss books on the shelves, despite this week’s decision to end their publication due to racist images.
The library, which serves Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, said it does not censor books and will keep the controversial titles in circulation until they are no longer in suitable condition to borrow, a spokeswoman said.
“As with all public libraries, the New York Public Library does not censor or remove books,” said library spokeswoman Angela Montefinise.
“In this case, the six titles in question are being taken out of print by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, so the few copies we have of these titles will continue to circulate until they are no longer in acceptable condition,” said Montefinise.
“In the meantime, librarians, who are deeply concerned with serving their communities and ensuring accurate and diverse representation in our collections – especially children’s books – will certainly consider this information strongly when planning history times, exhibitions and recommendations,” she said.
Montefinise said the books are also part of the library’s historical research collection.
A spokesman for the Brooklyn Public Library said on Wednesday that the books also remain in circulation. Queens Public Library officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
Dr. Seuss’ half-dozen books, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, made news this week when the company that publishes the titles for Penguin Random House said it would no longer publish them.
The six books – “If I Ran the Zoo”, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street”, “McElligot’s Pool”, “On Beyond Zebra!”, “Scrambled Eggs Super!” And “The Cat’s Quizzer” – have been the target of criticism in recent years for their stereotyped portrayal of different ethnic and racial groups.
But major libraries, including the Denver Public Library, said this week that they would also keep those titles on their shelves.