It seems that a local charity asked Addie Ciannella, the head public librarian in Haverford Township, Pa., to put what she characterizes as a "symbol" on display in the library. She nixed the idea on the ground that the symbol might offend some people. Here's her explanation, in a letter to library trustees quoted by columnist Gil Spencer:
"It was a rather awkward situation" but she didn't feel as if she had much of a choice given her "professional opinion" which is "the library (any public library) is a place for all people of all beliefs, backgrounds, etc. Symbols can send a message of unwelcome philosophical orientation, expectations of others, and can produce ill will and even fear. I know we are an adjunct of the government but we are not the (township) or county or other government...." [Daily Times]
And what was this symbol that was so threatening to certain Haverfordians that it could not be displayed at the library? The American flag.