Flemish libraries got a 'present' from Scientology

[liliaeth]

Just about all Flemish libraries received an unrequested luxurious version of the collected works of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology cult. Most libraries aren't quite sure what to do with it.

It wasn't just flemish temples of books, but libraries all over the world, that get a packet of Scientology books in their mail. This worldwide action is due to, an according to Scientology, increased demand for Ron Hubbard's books.

The package was sent by a Danish publishing company, New Era Publications, and contains eighteen books by Scientology-author Ron Hubbard. The luxurious books were accompanied with a response card to look into reactions from the librarians.

Cult

Most of the time, those librarians are confused what to do with the packet. Most of them have by now decided not to include the books in their collection. Some of them plan to set one introductory work in their storage, so that readers can look into it eventually.

In Belgium, Scientology is considerd a cult, out to grab the money of their members.





For the record this is my personal translation of This article

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

They can do what we do - either put them in the Book Sale collection or the dumpster.

[liliaeth]

That's pretty much what most of them probably ended up doing. Scientology is considered a cult by the government so no library is about ready to help them out.

[ofthespider.livejournal.com]

wtf. Scientology is whack. O, John Travolta, how I once loved thee.

[liliaeth]

I just wonder who wasted that much money, since Scientology isn't known to give stuff like this for free.

[pfeifferpack.livejournal.com]

This is the method they use to earn that "best selling" title for the books BTW....they have been at this for ages.

Kathleen

[liliaeth]

it just seems like a waste of money, since most of those books they sent will never be read, and a lot of them will end up thrown away.

[pervyficgirl.livejournal.com]

In Belgium, Scientology is considerd a cult, out to grab the money of their members.

Oh, I agree that it is, but still -

Hmmmm.

Well, they're still books, aren't they? So I'm not sure what the hesitation on behalf of the libraries are.

Libraries get books all the time that are "unsolicited" - they usually end up on the shelves anyway.

[liliaeth]

Not always, believe me, you have no idea how hard it is to find Mein Kampf here in Belgium. (for the record, I wanted to read it, to know just how much nonsense was in it, so I could rebuke it, I always like reading the other side of things*eg*)

Libraries can refuse material that they find inappropriate. And since Scientology is considered a cult, and all that...