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Whoops! I inadvertently left the crucial word NOT out of one of my sentences. It should have read "But to not have them because the content may be too mature (or because their parents think the content is too mature for all of the students) would NOT be a good "parental" decision. -----Original Message----- From: School Library Media & Network Communications [mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Marilyn Johnson Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 2:04 PM To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Erring on the side of caution - Does Anyone remeber Island Trees!! Usually I read every message and every comment and think that it has all been said and that there is no need for my comments; I also think that almost everybody makes valid points. I'm cursed by usually seeing the validity of every argument. It would be so much easier to be sure that only my view is right. However, there are two things I do want to address: I have seen school boards (made up of people just like us, not gods) make some silly decisions based on very little fact, research, and reading but a huge amount of personal judgement, opinion, religious views or other bias toward a subject. School boards are not infallible as Rocco has shown us in this historical perspective. I agree also that we, in schools, are acting "in loco parentis," unlike public libraries. In that case, surely we have to make decisions based on the ages or grade levels of our students. As a parent I let my older kids read books or see movies that the younger children were not allowed to read or see, and we had those books and movies in our home. Just because one of my children didn't drink milk and because one of them was allergic to an antibiotic didn't mean that we didn't buy milk and keep it in the refrigerator or that I didn't allow any of my children to have antibiotics. And I certainly wouldn't have wanted another parent to make the decision for me that I couldn't have milk in my home or that my other children couldn't have an antibiotic if they needed it. I have books in my libraries that are appropriate for some children, inappropriate for others. But to not have them because the content may be too mature (or because their parents think the content is too mature for all of the students)would be a good "parental" decision. Would I fight and risk losing my job over a book or even a principle? I'm not sure. I hope I would, but it would depend upon circumstances and the book and what seemed right at the time. But if I did accept a school board decision that went against my professional philosophy, I wouldn't feel all right about it; nor would I judge someone else who chose not to fight but to keep his/her job. Marilyn "A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking." ...Jerry Seinfeld. mjohns@holbrook.k12.az.us Library/Media Services Coordinator Holbrook Unified School District POB 640 Holbrook AZ 86025 HJHS: 928-524-3959 x6005 HHS: 928-524-2815 x7011 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------