OSHAWA -- It's not often that a school librarian takes issue with a library program. But Oshawa's Susan Packer said she was driven to act last week, after learning Oshawa's public library will be offering tarot card workshops for teens later this month.
"I believe that tarot reading is a dangerous practice. Teenagers who might attend the program offered at the library will be dabbling in the occult," said Ms. Packer, who is the parent of three teenagers and a teacher-librarian at an Oshawa elementary school.
"I'm not against the public library and I'm not in favour of book banning or anything like that, but I think this is inappropriate."
The McLaughlin branch will be offering a two-part tarot card reading class on April 19 and 26, featuring Zsuzsana, author of The Now Age: Demystifying Spirituality, the New Age and the Metaphysical.
Ms. Packer shared her concerns with the Durham District School Board and sent a letter to the library board and local politicians last week, asking that the program be dropped.
Dinah Gough is the manager of children and youth services at the library and said that isn't going to happen.
"Almost everything is going to upset somebody, but we don't let small groups of people dictate what large groups of people can see or do or learn," she said. "There's a difference between not wanting your own children to take part in something and not wanting other people's children to."
Ms. Gough said attracting teens is a major part of the library's strategic plan. There is a teen librarian, a teen advisory board, a "teen space" blog online and a wide variety of programming that aims to capture the interest of high schoolers.
Past examples include a murder mystery event, pizza taste off, chocolate making, scrapbooking, a hip hop dance workshop and self-defence basics.
Most events draw about a dozen kids, with some of the more popular ones bringing in up to 50.
Ms. Gough said teen interests drive the program selection, which is why tarot was chosen. She said a quick Internet search will yield evidence that libraries across North America have offered tarot events for this age group.
"We're not trying to poke the community with a sharp stick," she said. "We're just trying to offer things that will be of interest to teens."
For more information on programs, visit www.oshawalibrary.on.ca or call the main branch at 905-579-6111.