New York Public Library WON’T cancel Dr. Seuss

By CHARLOTTE MITCHELL FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 07:09 EST, 4 March 2021 | UPDATED: 07:20 EST, 4 March 2021

• The library said it does not censor books and will continue to lend out six controversial titles by children’s author and illustrator Dr. Seuss 
• On Tuesday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced it would no longer publish the books over their racist and insensitive imagery
• The books contain heavily stereotyped depictions of black and Asian characters 
• Some fans have bemoaned the decision to stop publishing the titles as an example of ‘cancel culture’ and have scrambled to buy copies of the books
• Seuss’s legacy as a beloved children’s author has been called into question by parents and schools in recent years

The New York Public Library will keep six Dr. Seuss books on its shelves despite a decision to stop publishing them due to their racist imagery.

A spokeswoman for the historic library said it will keep the controversial titles in circulation as it does not censor books and will continue to lend them out until their condition deteriorates.

‘As with all public libraries the New York Public Library does not censor books,’ Angela Montefinise said.

‘In this case, the six titles in question are being pulled out of print by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, so the very few copies we have of these titles will continue to circulate until the are no longer in acceptable condition,

‘In the meantime, librarians, who care deeply about serving their communities and ensuring accurate and diverse representation in our collections – especially children’s books – will certainly strongly consider this information when planning storytimes, displays, and recommendations,’ she said, adding that the books are also part of the library’s historical research collection.

The New York Post reported that a spokesperson for the Brooklyn Public Library said the books also remain in circulation there.

At the Queens Public Library, officials said they were deciding whether to move the books to the reference section but added that they ‘stand firmly against censorship.’

On Tuesday, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the company that preserves and protects the author’s legacy, said it would no longer print six of his works over racist and insensitive imagery.

The six books affected are: ‘And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street’, ‘If I Ran the Zoo’, ‘McElligot’s Pool’, ‘On Beyond Zebra!’, ‘Scrambled Eggs Super!’, and ‘The Cat’s Quizzer’.

News of the decision came just one day after President Biden omitted Dr. Seuss from Read Across America Day, which is held annually on the children’s author’s birthday on March 2.

Explaining the decision to stop the publication of the six books, the company said: ‘These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.’

These six Dr. Seuss books will no longer be published because of racist and insensitive imagery, according to the company that preserves and protects the author’s legacy

In ‘And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,’ an Asian person is portrayed wearing a conical hat, holding chopsticks, and eating from a bowl. Earlier editions of the book showed the same character with yellow skin and a long ponytail.

‘If I Ran the Zoo’ includes a drawing of two bare-footed African men wearing what appear to be grass skirts with their hair tied above their heads.

‘Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ catalog represents and supports all communities and families,’ the company said.

The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, the company said.

‘Dr. Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of our review process. We then worked with a panel of experts, including educators, to review our catalog of titles.’