I read recently that a county library in Georgia allocates about three thousand dollars annually for materials in Spanish. This year, they decided against purchasing Harlequin romance novels with that money because they didn’t feel that the books were of a “high enough literary quality” to merit the expense and that the money should be spent on “life skills” materials for immigrants instead.
As you might imagine, when an article about this decision was posted on a Harlequin authors loop, comments zinged all over cyberspace — and quite of few of them made their way to the library board that voted the romance novels out. But putting aside the obvious issues — the insulting presumption that all Spanish speakers need life-skills materials, the attitude that the library board knows what is best for them to read — some interesting questions arise. Do romance novels (Harlequins or otherwise) really lack literary merit? Do they have any value other than providing simple entertainment? Do you learn anything when you read them? And does the entertainment factor alone justify their expense — in any language?
Personally, I think romance novels do have value on many levels, not the least of which is educational. For example, I hated history in high school. I found memorizing dates and studying old wars extremely boring stuff. But through romance novels, history has come alive for me. I’ve learned about regency England, the middle ages, my country’s colonial period and civil war. I’ve learned how people dressed, their social structure, their attitudes and concerns, why people married, their food, weapons and laws — all by reading romance novels.
So what do you think? Do romance novels, including Harlequins, belong in libraries? Do they have value for society — literary or otherwise? Have they improved or changed your life in any way?
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Heck no! Seriously, romances, for the most part, are positive examples of healthy relationships, and I think they show women how it should be so they don’t settle for the first guy that comes along, or believe that they have no value. No woman should feel they have to be with someone who abuses them physically or mentally just because there won’t be anyone better - it’s not true. That’s a lesson these books teach.
Regardless of which language they are published in, romances are about relationships, mostly romantic ones, but you also come across strong friendships between women, the bonds between sisters, the relationships with parents and siblings. There are so many positive examples,and sometimes there are a few negative ones, usually with the example of “what not to do or put up with”.
Romances can be funny, emotional, sensual, sweet. They can be told in any time period, real or imagined, and open up your mind to so many possibities. They are uplifting and can usually make you feel really good about yourself. So I ask: what’s wrong with any of those things? It’s sad that romances are so looked down on. I’m just glad I read them.
by Stacy ~
on June 27th, 2006 at 7:04 am
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I think all kinds of books should be available in libraries. Romances have definitely provided me with hours of entertainment and escape. Without them or the ability to read I probably wouldn’t have made it through some of the tougher times in my life.
Oh and according to the local news here in Georgia, it is not just Spanish language romance novels that they decided not to buy (although those were the main thing cut and specifically mentioned). They will no longer buy any Spanish language adult fiction.
by Jennifer Y.
on June 27th, 2006 at 11:50 am
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Wow, I guess it’s a good thing I don’t live in that county or I’d be out protesting against the library. I just can’t imagine the arrogance of deciding that the Spanish speakers shouldn’t have access to fiction in their own language. I can’t imagine my life without fiction. Growing up, I spent so many hours at the library. To think that they are denying this pleasure to kids with limited English skills. I am a bilingual teacher and I firmly believe that everyone should learn English (I taught ESL for years) but that doesn’t mean that they still shouldn’t be able to get materials in their native language if that’s what the Spanish speakers in the community want. And as Stacy mentioned, there is so much social value in romance novels. They are all about flawed people who work hard, learn their lessons and achieve the happiness they deserve. I don’t know what better message we could want!
by Gail Barrett
on June 27th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
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I can’t imagine my life without fiction either and I agree with you and Stacy.
by Jennifer Y.
on June 27th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
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yes or i would have nothing to read.8)
by KIM H
on June 27th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
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I believe that Harlequins should be in libraries. I have learned so much about other countries from reading Harlequins.
by Estella Kissell
on June 27th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
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I was just watching the news and you will be happy to know that according to today’s news public outcry has prompted the library’s board of trustees to restore money for Spanish adult fiction to the budget. They still have to ratify it though.
Funny that you had this as your blog and it was on the news just now…made no mention on whether or not Romances will be bought or not. Also, according to the news one out of six residents of the county, population 700,000, is Hispanic.
by Jennifer Y.
on June 27th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
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Jennifer - thanks for the update! How wonderful that people spoke up and forced the library to reconsider. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that they include romance novels (of all types) in their purchases.
by Gail Barrett
on June 27th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
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Gail, as you know, I was one of the first people to fire off a letter to the Gwinnett Library Board regarding this. I know for a fact that romances have literary value and as a Latina who does not speak Spanish–something I regret–I am appalled that they assume that all Hispanics have need of life skills. A great many Hispanics are educated, bi-lingual, contributing members of society. Most Hispanics in the country, according to census figures (don’t have them handy) are naturalized citizens. The Cuban side of my family has been in this country since 1898–much longer than the Italian side, who came over between 1910 and 1930. Making assumptions about people is never a good thing and I’m more than thrilled that the public outcry against this ignorant decision has possibly been reversed.
Everyone should read romance novels. In English. In Spanish. In Mandarin. I don’t care. I think they are good for everyone!!
by Julie Leto
on June 27th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
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A library is the place where one should be able to find a book that suits their individual taste(s). Whatever that taste might be. I live in Florida most of the year and the libraries do carry a number of books in Spanish. The main library has one area totally devoted to books written in a foreign language: they had books in Greek, French, Dutch, Portugese, Spanish and Japanese just to name a few. People are also encouraged to donate their non- English books.
by Laurie G
on June 28th, 2006 at 6:41 am
