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[CCBC-Net] Higher Power of Lucky
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From: Owensmomnv at aol.com <Owensmomnv>
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:34:29 EST
Dave, You make such a valid argument as to why a person must be careful. In these instances it is imperative that every librarian has an ironclad collection development policy with sections that 1) support the right to intellectual freedom and 2) a section in this policy on what the steps can be taken for those who wish to challenge the book. As long as you have you have a dependable review committee, you should be able to have a fair decision made on this book.
Anyone can read a book and complain, but it takes a STRONG person to read a book and defend it!
Kari Besancon Selma Bartlett ES Henderson, Nevada
In a message dated 2/18/2007 12:13:37 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, rich5568 at hotmail.com writes:
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
Received on Sun 18 Feb 2007 09:34:29 PM CST
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:34:29 EST
Dave, You make such a valid argument as to why a person must be careful. In these instances it is imperative that every librarian has an ironclad collection development policy with sections that 1) support the right to intellectual freedom and 2) a section in this policy on what the steps can be taken for those who wish to challenge the book. As long as you have you have a dependable review committee, you should be able to have a fair decision made on this book.
Anyone can read a book and complain, but it takes a STRONG person to read a book and defend it!
Kari Besancon Selma Bartlett ES Henderson, Nevada
In a message dated 2/18/2007 12:13:37 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, rich5568 at hotmail.com writes:
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
Received on Sun 18 Feb 2007 09:34:29 PM CST
