Page 3 - 45The Paranormal

I2 BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL SCIENCES LIBRARIAN

interest in more culturally revealing terms, consider for a moment the fact
that as of this writing, twelve of the twenty all-time top-grossing movies
contain themes directly or closely associated with paranormal subjects.
There can be no doubt that there is plenty of involvement worldwide, not
only among those who are making a living in various related ways (for-
tune-tellers, traditional healers, etc.), but in the millions of others whose
personal experiences or native curiosity have provided the impetus.
Why, then, the neglect? First of all, one has to realize that the number of
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individuals who are contributing full-time to “serious” study (i.e., of the
institution-based, research monies-funded variety) of the paranormal
probably does not exceed one thousand worldwide. Thus, there is no
critical mass of researchers for whom anythmg like a serious survey of
needs would be warranted.
Second, the term “paranormal” can bead is-applied to a very wide
range of phenomena. One might reasonably argue, in fact, that the subjects
grouped together under the rubric form a very unnatural alliance to begin
with. Along the same lines, it is not entirely clear to what lengths the term
can be stretched with respect to coverage of subjects. For present purposes
I accept the more or less conventional limitation, applying it to the domain
of phenomena that at one level or another appear to be “real,” but whose
existence (or manner of origin) has yet to be satisfactorily reconciled with
current scientific theory. I therefore exclude from the realm of the paranor-
mal certain secondary studies such as folklore and myth; these may con-
cern the representation of paranormal phenomena, but in general focus
little on the phenomena themselves (which instead are often or usually
viewed as being the “product of imagination” or beyond study outright).
A fiuther problem may be the most limiting of all: those subjects
attended to within the paranormal sphere are not always-or perhaps even
usually-perceived as being fact-based to begin with. Many go so far as to
feel that the phenomena involved are entirely the products of fancy, delu-
sion, or fabrication. Thus, endless debate exists over whether to acknowl-
edge the legitimacy of the sources of information that do exist, including
those produced by apparently sincere individuals. This situation presents a
potential dilemma for librarians: given a worst case scenario, by making
available certain kinds of materials we may be aiding and abetting fraud
and potentially steering patrons down dark and troubled roads. Otherwise
put, it is difficult to design a service for the provision of information when
even those who might wish to be served can’t be sure whether what is
being provided is information.
But need we consider the subject solely from a negative point of view?
I think not; I suggest that a better way to approach the matter is to proceed