The current discussion on “hidden” books in the University of Malta library is particularly worrying because it is disguised as a protective gesture, carried out by those who “care” so much for the rest of us that they must filter the words we read and the images we look at.
The current discussion on “hidden” books in the University of Malta library is particularly worrying because it is disguised as a protective gesture, carried out by those who “care” so much for the rest of us that they must filter the words we read and the images we look at.
Blocking the possibility of intelligent debate about books and ideas by shrouding them in secrecy is an inversion of education. It attempts to repress the option of an educated decision – the decision to read a text or study photographs and reach one’s own conclusions about them rather than being spoon-fed a fixed, authoritarian judgement by someone else.
The fact that academic and literary texts dealing with subjects like sexuality in art and performance, photography and religion are kept under lock and key in an academic institution like a university is disturbing, not only because it implies that the flow of information reaching adults studying there is being regulated according to obscure criteria but also because the expertise of academics who actually order these titles for the library is being undermined by hidden hands that make these books less accessible to their students.
The patronising decision to isolate selected academic books in a library “cabinet” goes against the spirit of research because it imposes “moral” judgements instead of presenting arguments for or against ideas. The rather clandestine manner in which this has been carried out – without notifying concerned academics – is disrespectful towards them and their students.
Such practices are not worthy of a serious educational, tertiary institution and should be discontinued with immediate effect.
Signatories:
Mr Noel Agius
Dr Andrew Azzopardi
Ms Clare Azzopardi
Dr Ruth Bianco
Professor Carmel Borg
Mr Mario Cardona
Dr Colin Calleja
Dr Mario Cassar
Dr John Chircop
Dr Marco Galea
Dr Simone Galea
Dr Albert Gatt
Dr Isabelle Gatt
Mr Joseph Gravina
Mr Michael Grech
Dr ĠGorgġ Mallia
Professor Peter Mayo
Dr Duncan Mercieca
Mr Immanuel Mifsud
Dr Carmen Sammut
Dr Toni Sant
Dr Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci
Professor Ronald Sultana
Dr Raphael Vella
Professor Kenneth Wain
Dr Clive Zammit
Editorial note:
A representative of the authors was contacted in the light of the subsequent statement issued by the university, to the effect that the books in question were freely available and that they were being stored in such a manner as to safeguard their physical attributes.
The authors stand by the contents of their letter.