Re: Parental request

[Reggie Buresh <rburesh@TIES.K12.MN.US>]

This type of thing has come up in the past for me, too. I had a parent
who didn't want the child checking out "anything to do with naughty sex
stuff." I replied that all the materials in our library had been
carefully selected with regards to age level (this is a high school) and
support of the curriculum. Since we support the philosophy of children
having the right to read and the desirability of having them explore new
ideas and learn new facts, we weren't able or willing to practice
censorship. I suggested that they were so fortunate to have this
opportunity as parents to have a frank discussion with their child and
explain why they felt it was wrong for him to read books that dealt with
sexual issues. And how lucky they were to have a child whom I was sure
they could trust NOT to check out anything of this nature, once their
concerns were explained to him. I was clenching my teeth through this
whole spiel. The bottom line was: If you as a parent have a concern in
an area, communicate it to your kid, don't expect me to be the Family
Counselor or Nanny.

Now, you say that this request has come from the Guidance Office, so
hopefully you can avoid having to respond to the parents directly. You
could give the above reasons to Guidance, and let them send an aide or
counselor along with the girl to monitor what she reads and checks out.
Tell Guidance that they'll have to inform her teachers so THEY can
monitor what she reads when the class is in there, or any time she needs
to check something out for a report. Put the burden on Guidance and her
teachers. This'll get old real fast. I'm wondering if the evidence from
the psychologist was with regards to this particular child or to
occult-as-mental-health-issue in general. I guess I'd still reply the
same, either way. Good luck! Gee...would you want to mention the forms
you probably have on hand for Reconsideration of Materials?! (Just
kidding...don't voluntarily open THAT door!)

-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Joyce Massey
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2002 6:23 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: SEC: Parental request

Our Guidance Dept. has received a request from a parent that their
daughter not be allowed to check out materials dealing with the
occult. They presented evidence from a psychologist that this is a
mental health issue. I need some help in forming a reply to this
request. I am definitely not going to supervise what she checks
out, but I want to have just the right words when I speak with them.
How would you phrase your reply to this request?
Joyce Massey, Media Specialist
Maranacook Community School
1001 Main St.
Readfield, ME 04355
207-685-4923, ext. 324
massej@mcs.csd10.k12.me.us

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