The BookLooks site will be ceasing operation on March 23, While this is good news, the fact that the website has failed after barely two years in operation supports our argument that this resource should never have been recommended to the public in the first place. In addition, there is well-founded concern that the Library Commission will swiftly suggest other sites, such as Screen It First, as a replacement. They have suggested such sites in the past, and it seems clear they are seeking to elevate politically-biased, unprofessional, anonymous websites as part of their overall agenda. Our issues with these sites remains the same as our objection to BookLooks. The library and Library Commission should be recommending only reputable, authoritative, quality, professional review sources. We support the use of high-quality, time-tested resources such as Kirkus and BookList for our community.
To: The Warren County Library Commission
Warren County: Say No to Anonymous Unvetted Reviews
The Warren County Library Commission must immediately rescind its official endorsement of BookLooks.org and never include it, or sites like it, as recommended book review resources for our public libraries.
Why is this important?
The Warren County Library Commission must end its promotion of BookLooks.org, an anonymous website designed to target books with diverse viewpoints, and any sites like it. Parents deserve credible resources from trained professionals, not unvetted sources. Endorsing BookLooks and similar websites compromises our library's integrity and parents' right to reliable information about books for their children.
Our libraries already provide credible reviews through databases like NoveList and resources like Kirkus Reviews. Sites like BookLooks require no professional credentials, have no named reviewers, and follow no editorial standard. Its anonymous members routinely flag important literary works, especially those covering topics of sexuality, race, religion, or history, as controversial or objectionable. At multiple public meetings, dozens of community members objected to BookLooks and similar sites, but the Library Commission ignored concerned taxpayers and pushed forward despite overwhelming opposition.
Sign this petition if you believe Warren County Public Libraries should remove BookLooks.org from its list of endorsed resources for patrons and recommend only vetted, transparent book review websites.
Our libraries already provide credible reviews through databases like NoveList and resources like Kirkus Reviews. Sites like BookLooks require no professional credentials, have no named reviewers, and follow no editorial standard. Its anonymous members routinely flag important literary works, especially those covering topics of sexuality, race, religion, or history, as controversial or objectionable. At multiple public meetings, dozens of community members objected to BookLooks and similar sites, but the Library Commission ignored concerned taxpayers and pushed forward despite overwhelming opposition.
Sign this petition if you believe Warren County Public Libraries should remove BookLooks.org from its list of endorsed resources for patrons and recommend only vetted, transparent book review websites.