Thus reads the headline on a story , widely circulated via the AP which looks at the Marshall Library matter in a wider context:

The Chicago-based American Library Association said it knows of at least 14 graphic novel challenges in U.S. libraries over the past two to three years. Among the titles were “The Watchmen” by Alan Moore, which was challenged in Florida and Virginia as unsuitable for younger readers; “Akira, Volume 2″ by Katsuhiro Otomo, challenged in Texas for offensive language; and “New X-Men Imperial” by Grant Morrison, challenged in Maryland for nudity, offensive language and violence.

Even “Maus” and its sequel, “Maus II,” were challenged last year in Oregon as anti-ethnic and unsuitable for younger readers.

Sometimes the challenges are successful. In April, county officials in Victorville, Calif., removed from their library “Manga: 60 Years of Japanese Comics,” because the book included nudity and sexuality.

“Some people find graphical depictions of things more offensive than text,” said Carrie Gardner, a spokeswoman for the ALA’s Committee for Intellectual Freedom and a professor at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Of some interest is the note at the end which compares concern over graphic novels to parental unease when video tapes and internet access became part of library offerings.

While The Beat feels that parents are only being reponsible in showing concern over their kids reading habits, why does it always have to be major works of art like WATCHMEN, FUN HOME and CATCHER IN THE RYE that get caught in the net?