Continuing on with the discussion....
When I arrived at my school last year I had a lot to change (and deal with).
The first was the Harry Potter series that was stored in the back room (no
access available to the students because the previous librarian did not want
books with "witches, wizards, and other demonic things" in the library---but
we did have several books in the 100's on the same topic..???). The second
issue was the "censorship" of YA literature by the library assistant. If a
book appeared inappropriate or if she read through the subject headings and
it dealt with drugs, alcohol, child abuse, etc., it wasn't cataloged (or she
brought it to me to "keep in the back room"...and I cataloged it myself and
put it out for the students).
It was during this censorship period that I realized my previous assistant
had not read ALL of the controversial books on the shelves and if she
searched the record and it did not specifically contain subject headings
that listed the contents that she felt were objectionable, then the books
made their way to the shelves without her knowing. The problem was that the
kids didn't know they existed either.
This year I have been re-cataloging many books and adding appropriate
subject headings (another long story). In addition, I have purchased newer
titles on various controversial topics. I also spoke with our school's
counselor and our school nurse about the books that we have added
(information books about sexual issues, growing up, etc., as well as fiction
titles on "edgy" topics) and gave each of them a list of books that might be
helpful to students if they approached them with questions.
Within a week of notifying them of the books that were available, the nurse
called to ask if she might be able to check out some titles in her name
because a student was interested in reading them but was too ashamed to come
by the library to ask for them in person. We made the books available to
the nurse and they are being read and returned "anonymously."
What I learned from this was that despite the behavior (or denial) of the
past library staff, there was an apparent need in our student body that
wasn't being met. By providing materials on diverse topics that might have
seemed controversial to others, librarians can make a difference in the
lives of young people who find themselves different from everyone else.
I think the most important point came from the counselor who told me that
issues of differences that can be presented in a neutral environment (such
as library) can help young people feel that "someone out there" is on their
side--- perhaps a quiet librarian who made a choice to place materials on
subject matters that others once denied them.
You just never know who you'll affect in such a positive manner by making a
brave move forward when others only stand and watch.
Just thinking....
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rubaiyat" <cclark@PLEASANTHILLSCHOOLS.COM>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 12:45 PM
Subject: Re: Please Vote
> I have found myself in the last few months refusing to purchase books on
> gay/lesbian relationships. Some of these books receive excellent =
> reviews
> and I feel there is a need for such books in a collection. I feel =
> guilty
> about not ordering these books, because of not wanting to open this
> pandora's box. To me this is the worst kind of censorship, but I =
> haven't
> decided how to resolve this issue. I feel that is some ways I =
> underserving
> a sigment of my population.
>
> The other reason that I refuse to purchase this type of books, is that I
> know that we do not have any gay and lesbian students in the district --
> tongue in cheek. =20
>
> Curtis L. Clark
> Library Media Specialist
> Pleasant Hill Middle School
> 1301 East Myrtle
> Pleasant Hill, MO 64080
> 816 540 2149 #122
> Fax # 816 987 2017
> cclark@pleasanthillschools.com
> =20
> "I'll have to admit that he's a very competent scholar." "Isn't he just =
> a
> libarian?" Garion asked, "somebody who looks after books?"
> "That's where all the rest of the scholarship starts, Garion. All the =
> books
> in the world won't help you if they're just piled in a heap."
> David Eddings "King of the Murgos"
> =20
> =20
> Procrastination,
> I've been told,
> Is the source of all my sorrow,
> I don't know what it means,
> I'll look in up tomorrow. (maybe)
> =20
>
> *=09
> "I have the body of a God -- Buddha"
> *=09
> "I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing."
> *=09
> "Sex on TV only hurts when you fall off."
> *=09
> "Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a
> horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?"
> *=09
> "Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll
> squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"
> *=09
> "It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere."
> *=09
> "The best way to a man's heart is to split the chest cavity open."
> *=09
> "Clones are people two."
> *=09
> "If a man says something in the woods and there are no women there
> to hear it, is he still wrong?"
>
> =20
> "We are Microsoft. Resistance is Futile. You Will Be Assimilated."
>
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