>Date: Fri, 01 Feb 2002 16:47:46 -0500
>To: VANEESAT@AOL.COM
>From: Dorothy Tissair <dtissair@snet.net>
>Subject: Re: SEC: Parental request
>
>At 11:54 PM 1/31/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>
>>I really don't understand why all the discussion of this topic.
>
>Because we were well schooled in Freedom of Information and ALA's stand.
>
>>As a parent,
>>I would hope that my request would be honored.
>
>Yes and no. I don't believe that the original post listed the school
>level of the girl in question and most Middle Schools and many Elementary
>Schools now have Guidance Departments. My attitude might be quite
>different for a 17 year old than a 12 year old. In this case, however,
>the parents have not only made the request to the school library, but have
>backed it up with documentation from a Psychologist and the Guidance
>Department. This would imply that there are some serious mental health
>issues involved with this particular case. Restricting this girl's access
>to information is probably being advised to help prevent harm to her or
>those around her.
>
>This is not a sexually active15 year old who needs information on
>abortion, birth control, or homosexuality. Suicide is the #1 killer of
>teens today. We also have to remember Columbine and other incidents of
>violence when we allow minors access to information.
>
>This girl's parents need school support.
>
>>In our age of automation, it
>>is not that much trouble to place a notice on a patron's name.
>
>Yes, if Blockbuster Video can place a notification warning on their access
>to children, I think we need to consider it as well. I had 15 year olds
>complain when I told them that they needed parental consent to rent a
>movie (the school and public libraries where I also worked part-time only
>allowed ADULT access to videos). They would stomp out and bring their
>parent back in. Frequently the parent would rent the movie for them, but
>generally not until they had asked me why it was rated the way it was.
>
>
>>And yes, I understand freedom of information. But has anyone decided at what
>>age that freedom starts.
>
>Only the film and video game industry and then it is voluntary.
>
>>Is a child free to read what ever he or she likes
>>with or without their parents consent?
>
>For the most part yes.
>
>
>>Yes, I also understand that many children will sneak around to do that which
>>is forbidden.
>
>This will happen even in the most liberal households. Kids who know that
>they are free to read anything they wish will keep some things private.
>
>>And it is unfortunate that the parent in question has chosen
>>restrictions rather than discussions.
>
>They may and probably have discussed their family values with their
>child. From my experience some of the most "restrictive" of parents have
>probably had more discussion of values with their young than have most parents.
>
>>But their request must be upheld.
>>They are, after all the parents.
>
>This is exactly the point. We do not have to agree with the parents
>views, that is why we chose to have the broad spectrum of information that
>we have in the library. However, as teachers we are also required to
>provide assistance to parents with differing views.
>
>>Further, the question was raised about whether this same request was made at
>>the public library. Why should it be made?
>
>Kids frequently go to the public library after school and some parents do
>make requests like this there if they and their child are both well known
>the request may be considered.
>
>>The parent is able to accompany
>>the child at the public library and monitor what she checks out personally.
>
>This idea would probably me the first that would be made to a parent
>making such a request.
>
>
>>I say go ahead and honor the parents request. This is not a battle that I
>>would choose to fight.
>
>Most of the time I wouldn't either and I am sure even fewer of our
>employers would care to fight it. This is why you don't hear a fight
>against filters coming from the national association of school boards.
>
>
>>Anyway, that is my two cents worth (more from a parents perspective),
>
>My two as well
>
>
>>Vaneesa Thompson
>>Library Media Specialist
>>Hazlewood High School
>>Town Creek, AL
>>Vaneesat@aol.com
>
>Dorothy E. Tissair, M.L.S.
>Library Media Specialist
>Old Saybrook, CT 06475
>
>dtissair@snet.net
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