Books Quote by John F. Kennedy
![“[Public] libraries should be open to all—except the censor. [Response to questionnaire in Saturday Review, October 29 1960]” quote by John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/344/john-f-kennedy-246_books_public-libraries-should-be-open-to-all-e_710985.jpg)
““[Public] libraries should be open to all—except the censor. [Response to questionnaire in Saturday Review, October 29 1960] ””
About This Quote
Source Speech: “Public Libraries and Censorship” at a Saturday Review questionnaire, October 29 1960
Kennedy argues that libraries should be universally accessible, except to censors who restrict information, emphasizing free access to knowledge.
In simple terms: Libraries must be open to everyone, but not to those who would censor content.
Key Takeaway
Support unrestricted access to information in public institutions.
Themes
freedom of information
censorship
public libraries
democracy
education
Mood
defiant
optimistic
thoughtful
Type
political
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- library funding debates
- censorship legislation
- community reading programs
Key Concepts
civil liberties
information access
public policy
intellectual freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits, if any, should be placed on library materials?
- How can libraries protect against censorship while ensuring safety?
A Different Perspective
The statement may oversimplify the balance between free speech and harmful content.
![“Libraries should be open to all - except the censor. [Response to questionnaire in Saturday Review, October 29 1960]” quote by John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/61c/john-f-kennedy-246_1960s_libraries-should-be-open-to-all-except-t_1484628.jpg)
