I have a "challenge"...our administration approved our Collection
Development Policy which included the Library Bill of Rights, The Right to
Read (adopted by AASL) and the Interpretation of the Library Bill of
Rights...basic things that I've ALWAYS included in a collection development
policy.
However, today I received a note from one of my administrators asking that
the "Right to Read" statement and the "Interpretation of the Library Bill of
Rights" be eliminated from the policy. This has been approved by the
administration and I was told that these items need to be eliminated...but
everything else is okay. ( The Right to Read statement addresses the issue
of ---Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their
responsibility to provide information and enlightenment") and I believe that
the administration does not want me / the librarian to "fight" anyone who
attempts to challenge materials.
Now, I have addressed the issue stating that the ALA does NOT say that we
MUST ALWAYS fight to the death, everyone who challenges materials in the
library, but instead that we must present both sides of the argument through
"due process" and an intelligent conversation--hopefully with points of
view, reviews of the work, and a board of individuals (also stated in my
policy, along with a reconsideration of materials form which is included)
who are open-minded enough to see both sides of the issue. I stated that
the AASL's Right to Read "suggests" and "guides" libraries, and that through
curriculum and community standards, librarians usually select materials that
are appropriate for their libraries. (And I won't even go into the
professional aspects of being taught how to use selection tools....)
I believe that my administration believes that I will fight "tooth and nail"
for everything on the shelf, some of which was here before I
arrived...(which means they know me pretty well....) but I believe that this
sets us up for some serious problems if an individual chooses to make the
issue that materials need to be removed and there isn't a statement that
reflects what our "over-all beliefs" are regarding libraries and how they
present materials on all issues and from various points of view. In
addition, because my library covers grades from 5-12, I believe that these
statements need to be in my policy because I do not want to be misunderstood
in my endeavors to protect my seniors from individuals who may want to
withdraw materials that are inappropriate for fifth graders (which is a very
likely scenario.) --- I personally believe that parents can censor materials
from their own children but not from every child within the
school...especially when a library serves a variety of students at different
age levels.
I have discussed (with our other librarian) the possibility of rewording the
ALA statements to basically state that the librarians will select materials
based upon "curriculum and community standards, and choose materials using
professional selection tools recommending materials for students being
served in the library"...and that through a procedural due process,
materials that are considered inappropriate must undergo a "reconsideration
evaluation" by a board of individuals within the school. (I am basically
restating what I already have in the policy but NOT following the ALA
guidelines specifically as it is worded.) My position is basically that
which is stated on the ALA website (position statement on the role of the
school library media specialist)
http://www.ala.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AASL/Professional_Tools10/Position_Statements/AASL_Position_Statement_on_the_Role_of_the_School_Library_Media_Program.htm
Am I being too unreasonable about this or do you have other ideas? I would
like to be able to protect my collection from individuals who want to
withdraw or censor materials---and even though most of the selection policy
is intact,..... because I can still "keep" my reconsideration forms, my
procedures for selecting a board for challenges against materials, and my
guidelines....I just can't have the ALA statements behind me....
...I just feel "cheap" without my association's guidelines there to support
my actions and professional ethics. Am I wrong, unreasonable, or just not
thinking this through....any ideas?
Thanks!
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US
Library Media Specialist
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
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