Special Discretion Required

One of the hidden casualties of the introduction of book security systems is the demise of those wonderful collections of X Certificate material which used to masquerade under euphemisms like Restricted Access or Please ask at the desk. These reluctantly tolerated assemblages were traditionally kept well out of reach of public fondling and frequently well hidden from prurient gaze. My own Borough's endearing version of this category was called Controlled Issue, a term which gave rise to some interesting neologisms such as Can I have a Controlled Issue please? The ambiguity of this label has long been a source of delight, opening up as it does a vision of the public library actively promoting family planning by keeping from its users those books likely to give rise to lascivious thoughts which we all know lead to carnal deeds and greater staffing demands on the Children's Services.