It is my opinion that it is not a matter of if you are faced with a book challenge
but when. Someone once told me that a well balanced collection has something to
offend everyone. With that in mind it is easier for me to get over the "I'll get an
unhappy parent" mind set. We teach our 5th graders a Banned Books Week lesson. I
tell them that I will support their parents if they decide that some books are not
for their children. But I will also not support books being removed so all children
are not allowed to read them. If a book, movie, TV program, video game, song, etc.
offends you, return it, turn it off. You have a choice. That is my message.
--
Pam Gelbmann, Media Specialist
Wilson Elem. MN
Pam.Gelbmann@comcast.net
"In the nonstop tsunami of global information librarians provide us
with floaties and teach us to swim."
--Linton Weeks, Washington Post, January 13, 2001
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Shonda Brisco <sbrisco@GMAIL.COM>
> I've discussed this matter privately with a couple of other librarians
> on this list, but perhaps now it's time to ask the important
> questions.
>
> If you are a librarian who understands the responsibilities of the job
> (and the risks involved), do you bend to public pressures to remove
> titles (or not select them) because of what "might" happen or do you
> truly accept the responsibilities that most librarians have been
> taught regarding the right to read and the right to access
> information?
>
> In this matter, we are talking about a "word" in a book...in many
> books that are challenged, we are talking about words, actions, or
> ideas that are considered "wrong" by those whose opinions are
> different from those expressed in the book. When this happens we
> allow for a process to occur in which we review the entire work to
> determine if it there is merit.... is it worth retaining? Most of us
> will select materials based upon written reviews in professional
> sources and develop our collections based upon our instructional
> curriculum and the community standards; however, if collection
> development is done based upon the fear of losing our jobs or if we
> allow others ourside of our profession to make those selections for us
> through intimidation, then we need to take a hard look at ourselves
> and our profession.
>
> Part of every graduate level course in library science is the study of
> censorship and those who attempt to censor information. When we bend
> to the pressure to remove a book for fear of "losing a job" or "losing
> a paycheck"....I really wonder if our profession has lost one of the
> most important aspects that we so desperately need in a democratic
> society? If we do not stand up and defend the rights of others to
> access information, if we do not defend the freedom to read, then, in
> my opinion, we do not need to be in the profession. Anyone can
> retreat in the heat of battle...but who among us now has the
> professional stamina to continue to defend the rights of others who
> cannot fight this battle at this moment in time? What will be lost if
> we continue to retreat? Today it may be "Lucky"...but tomorrow it
> could be YOUR favorite book...or more importantly, our nation's most
> important liberty...the freedom of choice.
>
> Having a job is important, supporting the curriculum is important, but
> beyond that is the ethical responsibility of preserving what we, as
> librarians, are called to do....provide access to information and
> defend our professional choices based upon a selection policy that
> reflects the standards of our community. If you have selected a book
> because of professional reviews that also reflect a part of the
> curriculum (as a Newbery title would be), then be strong enough, be
> professional enough, and be prepared enough to stand up to protect
> your professional decisions against the opinions or beliefs of others
> who want to restrict the access of that information from ALL
> individuals, rather than just their own children or themselves.
>
> Individuals may choose NOT to read a book within your collection
> because of their personal beliefs, but they do NOT have the right to
> restrict EVERYONE from the accessibility of that material because of
> their personal belief. If you have selected this book (or any book)
> for your collection based upon the professional reviews and your
> curriculum guidelines, then you must also accept the responsibility as
> a professional librarian to defend it against the questions, opinions,
> and criticisms of others who do not want it within your collection.
>
> If you do not stand up to protect the right of access to information,
> then there is no need for a library...
>
> ...so, eventually, you lose (your job) either way.
>
>
>
> Yours, as always....the rabblerouser / fighter....
>
> ~Shonda
>
> Shonda Brisco, MLIS
> Library Media Specialist
> sbrisco@gmail.com
>
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