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I think that there is a big difference here between public libraries and school libraries. I may draw some heat for this, but here goes . . . censorship, in my opinion, does not apply to the same degree in schools as it does in public libraries because we are dealing with minor children. What parent is going to say that he/she has never censored anything that pertained to their own children. I wouldn't let my son read anything he wanted when he was 5 years old. Fortunately, this never came up for me, but if my son had wanted to read something that I thought was totally inappropriate, I would not have allowed it . . . the same way 10 year olds are not allowed to see R rated movies. It's easy to get carried away with this anticensorship cause because everything we believe and are taught tells us not to censor. In reality, where children are concerned, there is already censorship all of the time. And it is important to remember that the school board is an elected body whose job is to oversee the school. We can advocate for books all we want, but I think our responsibility ends there. If the school board says "no" I don't think the librarians should feel bad about just accepting the decision. Marsha Redd Librarian, Kelloggsville High School Grand Rapids, MI marsharedd@hotmail.com Education is not a goal; it is a life-long process. Everyone is a student. Everyone is a teacher. ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Teri S. Lesesne" <lis_tsl@SHSU.EDU> Reply-To: lis_tsl@shsu.edu To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Erring on the side of caution Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:04:35 -0600 > I don't think we should be judging librarians that chose not to add > certain books to their collection. Are you willing to lose your job over a book? If I do not take a stand, who will? I know I am out of the trenches where I teach. I am guaranteed intellectual freedom. I can and do elect to use controversial literature as I prepare future school librarians and reading teachers. We talk about selection policies and reconsideration of materials processes. Take a look at the people honored by ALA for their heroic defense of books. I had the honor to work with Ruth Cox (now Ruth Cox Clark), one of those librarians who did put her job on the line. Our local library system has been assaulted by people who tried to remove the Robie Harris books about sex. The head of the system, Jerrilynn Williams, put her job on the line. She, too, received support from ALA and other entities to help her in her battle against censors. If we do not fight for books, I am fearful there will be no books left for which to fight. teri ---------------------------------------------- Teri S. Lesesne Sam Houston State University Department of Library Science MAKING THE MATCH: THE RIGHT BOOK FOR THE RIGHT READER AT THE RIGHT TIME Stenhouse (2003)AND NAKED READING (Stenhouse, 2006) Blog site: www.professornana.livejournal.com Web Site: www.professornana.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation. * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/ * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html --------------------------------------------------------------------