Thank you to all who wrote concerning what to do in case of a book been
questioned or challenged. Thankfully, this parent just needed to vent and
does not believe in censorship. I was also asked to post a hit....
Our district has a policy in place for parental concerns. The parent
fills out the complaint form and the book goes before a committee of
administrators, teachers, parents, and students. All read the book and
then a decision is made about what to do with the book. The committees
are chosen at the beginning of the year and stand ready in case of a
complaint, so the complaining parent is not on the committee. We are
expressly warned not to discuss our opinion of the book with the parent.
If you do not have a policy in place, I would highly recommend one. I'm
attaching some of our forms.
Here are the Q&A's from our media website:
Implementing Policy IFAB Q & As
What is the appropriate response to a person who expresses objections
to the content of a library book? Treat the person and the complaint
with respect for the rights of the questioning individual and the
rights of others who may view the material differently.
Listen to the concerns expressed by the person without giving your
personal opinion
Determine whether the person objects (a) to his/her child having access to
this material or (b) to all students at the school having access.
What is the appropriate reaction to a parent who is concerned only about
his/her child having access to this material? The school should provide
alternative choices for the student.
What is the procedure for addressing a request for the material to be
removed so that no students will have access? To initiate the appeals
process, the complainant must submit a written appeal using the
Instructional Materials Appeal Form included with Policy IFAB. Any
citizen of Cobb County can file an appeal including an administrator, a
teacher, the media specialist, or community member.
What are the possible implications of deviating from Board policy? There
have been court cases over challenges to library books. Controversy over
a library book in Gwinnett County media centers resulted in a court
trial. The Court ruled in favor of the school district because board
policy had been followed. The district must demonstrate consistency and
fairness in responding to appeals from citizens regardless of reasons for
objections.
Where can I find a copy of the Board Policy IFAB, the implementing
Regulation and the Instructional Materials Appeal Form? Policy IFAB:
Media Programs and Supplementary Materials Selection is available at:
http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/HRBoardPolicies/I_Policies/indexi.htm
Who interprets this policy? The media specialist provides
interpretation at each school. The media specialist can contact the
Supervisor for Media Services to receive assistance.
Does the district allow citizens to review library books and other
materials? The district encourages parents to participate actively in
the education of their child; therefore, parents are encouraged to review
library books that their child selects. Parents who wish to review
materials housed in the media center should make an appointment with the
principal to avoid disrupting instruction.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
First, the book DEFINITELY returns to the shelf.
Second, you need to find out if your school has a BOOK SELECTION or
MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY and if there is a "REQUEST FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS" POLICY and FORM. If there is, then
there should be a formal process the mother should follow. And you
should follow. Any "CHALLENGED" book is supposed to remain until it
is "REMOVED" through the proper RECONSIDERATION PROCESS. IF NOT...
you better get your school one and push to get the proper checks and
balances in place.
Libraries exist for all children. There are all kinds of reasons
why any particular parent may object to a book. Should you remove
a book for a single complaint? Absolutely not. If you do, you
will end up with BARE SHELVES.
In the immediate term. You should tell the parent that they have
the right to limit what their own child reads, but they do not
have the right to censor what other children read. That is a
parental right. And while the school does act for the parent
during the school day, then the parent needs to let you know
ahead of time what they want to allow their own child to read.
You might also point out that this type of book allows a student
to see that those kinds of behaviors are not really encouraged in
the book but show how they happen and how to deal with them in a
non-threatening way. Explain the GOAL of the book isn’t' those
behaviors but those behaviors exist in the story to set a
realistic setting and allow a student to see how the character in
the story dealt with those things.
(We had parents complaining about GOOSEBUMPS BOOKS and many other books
just because they thought something was not what they would want. Or
Harry Potter... and many many others.)
Arthur books are common popular books in Public and Elementary
Libraries. If you give in to this parent just because it is
easier not to stand up to a stubborn parent. You might as well
remove all your SHEL SILVERSTEIN and ROALD DAHL books from the
Library as she will complain about the same things in those
books. And expect her to complain and move for removal of many
more books.
If I were you, I would keep on hand some of the blank forms for
"Reconsideration of Materials" and if you don't have a POLICY
and a FORM. Either get one from us other School Librarians and
adopt it or create one and use it.
I do and I fight for all students rights to read. Do you have
a copy of the "FREEDOM TO READ"
[http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement.htm]
or the "INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM FOR YOUNG PEOPLE"
[http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/foryoungpeople/youngpeople.htm] or the
SCHOOL LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
[http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/Default675.htm]
or the STUDENT'S RIGHT TO READ
[http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/cens/107616.htm]
policy.
I am currently in a H.S. but I have 20 plus years of experience
in K-12. For more than 15 years, I have worked in or supervised
K-8 Libraries. I have been on the receiving of challenges of
all sorts. You need to be prepared. Create a policy if you
don't have one and get it approved and in place.
++++++++++
I just looked it up on Titlewave. I thought it might be a title more
appropriate for middle or high school, but I see that it is K-3! I'd
suggest you read the book yourself, and if, in your professional
judgment, it doesn't belong on your shelves then pull it. Otherwise,
suggest to the parent that there is a reconsideration form that can be
filled out. For what it is worth, Follett says the book is "Publisher
out of stock indefinitely." Since it is a 2001 copyright, I think that
may tell you something.
++++++++++
First step should be in your district reconsideration policy. Usually it
would be to contact parent or person with concern. Mostly to listen to
their concerns and to explain some of the precepts of librarianship.
Like 'every reader a book, and every book a reader' and what tools you
can provide the parent in helping student make choices. Maybe some
reading lists, or offer additional help/advisory to student.
Most reconsideration policies include a form that parent needs to fill
out to start the official process. Usually, until the process is
complete, the books stays available for checkout by patrons.
Personally, I will go buy a replacement copy if the parent hangs on to
book before filing reconsideration.
And we don't have to like the book, or agree with the book, to include
it in a collection or to defend its inclusion in the collection.
++++++++++
Take a look at the following website. It offers many
suggestions on what to do if a book is being challenged in
your library. Good luck!
http://ccb.lis.uiuc.edu/book_challenge.html
Maureen Mooney, LMS
Caroline Street School
Saratoga Springs, NY
mm9161@albany.edu
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