Librarian Warned to 'Cease and Desist'
Emerton forced to pull Web site for mentioning university name
Yalda Sadiq, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: News
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In a letter dated Feb. 16, Marlene B. Jones, university counsel from the CSU Office of the Chancellor, warned Emerton to "cease and desist" use of the school name or they will be forced to take legal action against him.
"Subpart of section 89005.5 states that any person who uses a California State University name in violation section 89005.5 is guilty of a misdemeanor," wrote Jones.
Since he received the letter, Emerton said he has taken down the Web site because he didn't want to have charges filed against him.
He plans to put up another Web site possibly called saveourbooks.com, or something similar.
In the midst of the situation, Emerton said his colleagues have left his side even though he has worked with some of them for 20 years. However, Emerton said he has received the support of the students.
"[My colleagues] are afraid to be seen anywhere around me," said Emerton.
Library Dean Harold Schleifer said he has no knowledge of the letter and referred to Pablo Arreola, associate vice president of Faculty Affairs. Arreola didn't respond to phone calls made to his office.
Emerton has spent hundreds of dollars of his own money to make 2,000 cards to pass out to students, put up the Web site and make a banner that said "save our books," which he can't use because it has the school's name on it.
Emerton has talked to the American Civil Liberties Union regarding his first amendment rights. The organization is considering his case because he had to shut down his Web site and because of the police questioning regarding his intentions and activities with the cards he was passing out, said Emerton.
He has also sought the help of the California Faculty Association to file a grievance with the university.
"We are ready to represent him, but it's in his hands," said Gwendolyn Urey, chapter president of CFA.
Some students support his efforts of saving the books.
"It would be more valuable to keep them in [the library]," said Andrew Wilson, a first-year microbiology student. "It's good he's standing up for that."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sarah
Sarah
posted 3/08/07 @ 8:52 PM PST
This action against books, good solid research skills, and the freedom of speech is truly offensive.
The internet will never contain all that is found in centuries worth of books, nor can it provide all the necessary resources of quality scholarship. (Continued…)
James
posted 3/09/07 @ 3:49 PM PST
It's outrageous that the university library would even suggest that books and other published materials expire when they "[haven't] been checked out for 10 years or more. (Continued…)
James
posted 3/14/07 @ 2:55 PM PST
I'm sorry, but I must retract the comment that I made earlier.
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