Librarians are perfectly happy to help students and parents find books
they want to read so why is it onerous to help them avoid books their
parents do not want them to read? After all, it is the parents' choice,
isn't it? This is not censorship. You are not removing books from your
collection at the behest of a parent. Isn't this one of the librarian's
happiest and most cherished responsibilities: reader guidance.
I do not agree with this parent's fears, but I would ask the parent to put
in writing the specific topics she includes in the occult: witches,
e.s.p., monsters, ghosts, Harry Houdini, whatever. You will want to remind
her that as a concerned parent, she will, of course, look at anything her
daughter brings home, right? Just to make sure. Then I would meet with the
student and show her the list and ask her to talk with you if she has any
doubt about the content of a book she's about to check out and you will
help her decide if her mother would approve. You can't do much more than
that, but you will have met the parent more than half way.
Linda M. Wilson, Library Director, Greenwich Academy, 200 N. Maple AV,
Greenwich, CT 06830 203.552.4403
linda_wilson@greenwichacademy.org
http://mail.greenwichacademy.org/~linda_wilson/libhome.html
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