I just had a long conversation with a Loudoun County Public Library “director”
It was a very pleasant conversation and she explained what happened here. The lady was fully acquainted with the issue and understands how this happened.
First, and foremost - as you can tell from the content of this thread - the problem was not restricted to jus the LCPL.
The “preliminary” title (going back to November 2014) of the book was “Offensive.” Sometimes the preliminary titles change before publication. The title is needed early on so that the books can be ordered - the “on order record” uses the preliminary title. The key identifier is the ISBN and that never changes.
Nationally, there are 2-3 “consolidators” who distribute books to stores and libraries. Libraries do not deal directly with the publishers.
When the book is released, the title is updated. Sometimes that change is done before release.
The organization that handles all of this - internationally- is the OCLC (”https://www.oclc.org/home.en.html";) — sorry, I don’t have time for html right now...
THEY are the ones who -CORRECTLY - used the title “Offensive” - Repeat- It was not an adjective and it was not a description of the book.
Finally, the Library Director made it clear that she follows strict rules and guidelines for these things and that the kind of “offense” that we (and I!!) imagined would never happen.
Thanks for reading my rambling.
...AND - I forgot to mention, but others have already made note of the fact - the original title was changed this pm to the updated title.
Excellent investigative work! Thought I had discovered something... Oh well.