Censorship or artistic choice? Library recants author invite

It was "unfortunate" at best and censorship at worst, say those who have learned that the Salt Lake County Library System canceled the speaking engagement of an acclaimed author whose book was pulled from the library's "One County, One Book" reading program.

Author Mark Spragg, who wrote "An Unfinished Life," was notified in late January that his book had been selected as Salt Lake County's choice for its program. At the same time, he was invited to speak at October activities to culminate the event.

Spragg, who lives in Cody, Wyo., accepted the invitation and was thrilled, he said in an interview Thursday. But two weeks later, he got an e-mail he described as rather curt and "not particularly apologetic," saying the offer had been rescinded.

Library system employee Susan Hamada wrote that she'd been "directed to select an alternate title."

"An Unfinished Life," published in 2004, was also made into a movie of the same title in 2005, starring Academy Award-winning actors Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman.

"Spragg unfolds a marvelous, unsentimental family story," wrote Claire Dederer in the New York Times Book Review. "The peace these hard characters make for themselves is sweet and difficult and very satisfying."

"Mark Spragg's novel 'An Unfinished Life' moves from the pain of loss to the possibility of reconciliation, as a good Western should," according to the Oregonian newspaper. "'An Unfinished Life's' strength lies in its characters."

"Spragg draws wonderful portraits," said a Library Journal review. "Highly recommended."

But apparently at least one local librarian found rough language in the book objectionable — although that was only one reason why a library system administrator said he re-evaluated a decision to choose the novel for the program and then deemed it not "appropriate for our audience."

Jim Cooper, director of county libraries, first said a county staffer "jumped the gun" on informing Spragg his novel had been selected. Cooper later conceded he'd overridden a decision by an "informal" committee that chose the book.

"I decided that another book would be more appropriate for our audience and for the time," Cooper said.

The goal of the program is to encourage county residents to "get on the same page" by reading and discussing the same book, according to library Web sites. From April to October, libraries make the books available and encourage communities to read and discuss the material.

A committee of five or six chose "An Unfinished Life" this year. One thousand copies were purchased so libraries under the county umbrella would have plenty.