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[CCBC-Net] Higher Power of Lucky
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From: David Richardson <rich5568>
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 15:13:06 -0500
I'm just curious. How many people who have been outraged here are school librarians or teachers? How many, as a school librarian or teacher, have faced a challenge to their decision? How many have been called into their principal's office on a Monday morning to face angry parents? How many have been told by the principal that this is an election year, and the school board doesn't need the negative press , so just take the book off the shelf?
How many have had to make the decision feed the kids and have insurance, or do what you know is personally disagreeable to you?
How many have read NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? (It's catagorized as fiction. Sadly, it's not)
How many have changed a word (or words) for an editor because you were told it wouldn't be put under contract if you didn't? Did you stand your moral ground or did you change the word?
The mission of a public librarian is different from a school librarian. Public libarians don't lose their jobs over a challenge. They have a large support system. For a school librarian, often they have little support
(even from the principal or school board).
When I hear these comments from librarians, I hear fear, not ignorance. Maybe it's because I've been there. It's nasty. It's ugly. It can be dangerous. And it affects every decision you make from that point on.
Are there librarians out there who are making this choice for personal reasons? Sure. And shame on them. But I'll bet there are many, many more who are making their decisons because they are afraid of the consequences. Or they know they have a limited budget, and as soon as a parent questions it, their principal will pull it off the shelf, wasting precious money.
Perhaps, instead of condemning these individuals for their decisions, maybe we need to work toward changing the situations these people are in who have to make such a choices.
Angry words aren't the answer. Positvie action is.
keep writing, dave r
_________________________________________________________________ Find what you need at prices you?ll love. Compare products and save at MSN? Shopping. http://shopping.msn.com/default/shp/?ptnrid=37,ptnrdata=24102&tcode=T001MSN20A0701
Received on Sun 18 Feb 2007 02:13:06 PM CST
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 15:13:06 -0500
I'm just curious. How many people who have been outraged here are school librarians or teachers? How many, as a school librarian or teacher, have faced a challenge to their decision? How many have been called into their principal's office on a Monday morning to face angry parents? How many have been told by the principal that this is an election year, and the school board doesn't need the negative press , so just take the book off the shelf?
How many have had to make the decision feed the kids and have insurance, or do what you know is personally disagreeable to you?
How many have read NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? (It's catagorized as fiction. Sadly, it's not)
How many have changed a word (or words) for an editor because you were told it wouldn't be put under contract if you didn't? Did you stand your moral ground or did you change the word?
The mission of a public librarian is different from a school librarian. Public libarians don't lose their jobs over a challenge. They have a large support system. For a school librarian, often they have little support
(even from the principal or school board).
When I hear these comments from librarians, I hear fear, not ignorance. Maybe it's because I've been there. It's nasty. It's ugly. It can be dangerous. And it affects every decision you make from that point on.
Are there librarians out there who are making this choice for personal reasons? Sure. And shame on them. But I'll bet there are many, many more who are making their decisons because they are afraid of the consequences. Or they know they have a limited budget, and as soon as a parent questions it, their principal will pull it off the shelf, wasting precious money.
Perhaps, instead of condemning these individuals for their decisions, maybe we need to work toward changing the situations these people are in who have to make such a choices.
Angry words aren't the answer. Positvie action is.
keep writing, dave r
_________________________________________________________________ Find what you need at prices you?ll love. Compare products and save at MSN? Shopping. http://shopping.msn.com/default/shp/?ptnrid=37,ptnrdata=24102&tcode=T001MSN20A0701
Received on Sun 18 Feb 2007 02:13:06 PM CST
