Do you have sex in the library?

In 1992 Madonna issued that coffee-table book full of provocative pictures of herself, Sex. It was an odd book in itself -- spiral bound, aluminum covers, oversized. Not the kind of book you normally find in a public library (especially at the $49.95 price back then).

One patron of the library where I worked called and offered to donate the book. I asked why and he said because it was disappointing. Nice gift, no?

A few days later a local clergyman dropped by. It was the only time he came in the place during the years when I worked there. He asked me, "Do you have Sex in the library?"

My answer: "No, I never have."

It turns out that 20 percent of my counterparts would have said, "Yes."