GEN: Book challenges

[Kathy Geronzin <kathy_geronzin@po-1.northeast.k12.ia.us>]

I have been responding individually to people when they are facing =
challenges to library materials.  In the last two days I have sent =
messages to four different people facing challenges to four different =
books.  I am writing this message today to let you know steps you can take =
when materials in your school are challenged.  These are the steps you can =
take when a library book or other instructional material use is challenged.=
   1.  A review of the selection policy.  2.  A review of the =
reconsideration process in your school.  3.  Find copies of reviews, =
journal articles, and lists of materials where the challenged book is =
mentioned or reviewed.  4. Enlist the help of professional organizations =
such as, your state library associations, and the Office for Intellectual =
Freedom of the American Library Association.   5.  Begin coalition =
building within your school with other faculty members, in the community =
with community members.  6.  Determine what the teaching objectives are =
for having the material. =20

Research shows that schools who have selection policies, a reconsideration =
process, and a supportive principal are those most likely to successfully =
fend off challenges to instructional materials used in the schools.  If =
anyone would like assistance with planning strategy during  an attempt to =
challenge the use of instructional materials (including library books) =
please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to give assistance.  I =
am a life long student of the issues of Intellectual Freedom and I have =
helped many schools plan strategies when they have been confronted by =
challenges. =20
--=20
Kathy Geronzin
District Librarian
Northeast Community School District
3690 Hwy # 136
Goose Lake, IA 52750
563-577-2249
e-mail kathy_geronzin@po-1.northeast.k12.ia.us

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