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[CCBC-Net] Collection development policy and Higher Power of Lucky
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From: Randall Wright <randall.w.wright>
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 06:04:16 -0700
As I've been stewing over this issue, I've questioned what the purpose of a library is. Certainly a public library's main purpose is to serve the community. From the NY Times article, I can't remember reading whether the Durango, Co. librarian was in a public or school library, but my impression was public. If so, and if I was a member of that community, I would be storming the library, demanding to know why that librarian presumes to decide what I or my children can read.
Certainly, a librarian needs to make collection decisions. After all, there is only so much shelf space. But when a book wins the Newbery Award, it would seem that collection decision is already made, despite the librarian's concerns or reservations about the book. Then if the community finds the book objectionable, let them challenge the decision. As an author, my dream is to publish a book that will be challenged by some militant word-cop mom from Payson, Utah. Then, I will feel like my career has been a success.
Randall Wright Author of middle-grade and young adult fiction that is way too tame, if I'd known the word scrotum would get me banned I'd have used it long ago in a rhyming picture book:
While in the bathtub, one fine day Young Richard saw his scrotum
"How really nice, how really cool! What better way to tote 'em."
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of BudNotBuddy at aol.com Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 3:19 PM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Collection development policy and Higher Power of Lucky
An article titled School Library Media Centers and Intellectual Freedom is posted on the ALA website at
_http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/iftoolkits/ifmanual/fifthedition/schoollibrary.h tm
_
(http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/iftoolkits/ifmanual/fifthedition/schoollibrary.h tm)
The NY Times article about The Higher Power of Lucky is available at:
_http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb.html?ex=1172379600&en=d2aecc 89 e2c748de&ei=5070&emc=eta1_
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb.html?ex=1172379600&en=d2aecc 89e2c748de&ei=5070&emc=eta1)
In the Intellectual Freedom article, Professor Dianne McAfee Hopkins talks at length about collection development policies and how they "should promote intellectual freedom through a recognition of the value of information in a
variety of formats. Materials should reflect the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of contemporary American society."
I have a few questions for those of you who work in public schools: 1. Do you have a written collection development policy? 2. Are you or are you not including The Higher Power of Lucky in your collection? 3. What is the most relevant phrase, sentence, or passage in your collection development policy that you would point to if you are asked why you are or are not including it in your collection?
Richie Partington Richie's Picks _http://richiespicks.com_ (http://richiespicks.com/) Moderator, _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_school_lit/_
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_school_lit/) BudNotBuddy at aol.com
_http://www.myspace.com/richiespicks_ (http://www.myspace.com/richiespicks)
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Sun 18 Feb 2007 07:04:16 AM CST
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 06:04:16 -0700
As I've been stewing over this issue, I've questioned what the purpose of a library is. Certainly a public library's main purpose is to serve the community. From the NY Times article, I can't remember reading whether the Durango, Co. librarian was in a public or school library, but my impression was public. If so, and if I was a member of that community, I would be storming the library, demanding to know why that librarian presumes to decide what I or my children can read.
Certainly, a librarian needs to make collection decisions. After all, there is only so much shelf space. But when a book wins the Newbery Award, it would seem that collection decision is already made, despite the librarian's concerns or reservations about the book. Then if the community finds the book objectionable, let them challenge the decision. As an author, my dream is to publish a book that will be challenged by some militant word-cop mom from Payson, Utah. Then, I will feel like my career has been a success.
Randall Wright Author of middle-grade and young adult fiction that is way too tame, if I'd known the word scrotum would get me banned I'd have used it long ago in a rhyming picture book:
While in the bathtub, one fine day Young Richard saw his scrotum
"How really nice, how really cool! What better way to tote 'em."
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of BudNotBuddy at aol.com Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 3:19 PM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] Collection development policy and Higher Power of Lucky
An article titled School Library Media Centers and Intellectual Freedom is posted on the ALA website at
_http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/iftoolkits/ifmanual/fifthedition/schoollibrary.h tm
_
(http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/iftoolkits/ifmanual/fifthedition/schoollibrary.h tm)
The NY Times article about The Higher Power of Lucky is available at:
_http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb.html?ex=1172379600&en=d2aecc 89 e2c748de&ei=5070&emc=eta1_
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/books/18newb.html?ex=1172379600&en=d2aecc 89e2c748de&ei=5070&emc=eta1)
In the Intellectual Freedom article, Professor Dianne McAfee Hopkins talks at length about collection development policies and how they "should promote intellectual freedom through a recognition of the value of information in a
variety of formats. Materials should reflect the cultural diversity and pluralistic nature of contemporary American society."
I have a few questions for those of you who work in public schools: 1. Do you have a written collection development policy? 2. Are you or are you not including The Higher Power of Lucky in your collection? 3. What is the most relevant phrase, sentence, or passage in your collection development policy that you would point to if you are asked why you are or are not including it in your collection?
Richie Partington Richie's Picks _http://richiespicks.com_ (http://richiespicks.com/) Moderator, _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_school_lit/_
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_school_lit/) BudNotBuddy at aol.com
_http://www.myspace.com/richiespicks_ (http://www.myspace.com/richiespicks)
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Sun 18 Feb 2007 07:04:16 AM CST
