[CALIBK12] The Case for a Creator...Lee Strobel

[Millam, Joy]

David, 
I would also suggest that in the case of the Rainbow Boys books and others like them (controversial topics), it is important to have books for all of your students regardless of whether they will offend parents. Your students are your clients, the parents must parent (they can dictate what books their own children are allowed to read). It should be a priority to give every student a book they can relate to personally.

Joy Millam
District Librarian / Teacher Librarian
YALSA's Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Committee Chairperson
Valencia High School
Placentia, CA 
714-996-4970 x3250
jmillam at pylusd.org 

http://bookdiva1.blogspot.com/
http://booktalksandmore.pbwiki.com

http://www.vhstigers.org/library/mrs_millam.jsp?rn=3833

"Libraries are not made; they grow." - Augustine Birrell



-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu on behalf of David Burt
Sent: Tue 3/4/2008 8:05 AM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] The Case for a Creator...Lee Strobel
 
Of course a teacher can discuss a book with a student.  The question
comes in to play when considering who is part of the conversation.  I
was often asked about my religion in the classroom since my own children
attended this high school and the students knew our religion. When
students would ask me questions in front of the class, I would respond
with brief, factual answers.  When their questions steered towards
doctrine, I would inform them, as politely as I could, that we would
have to discuss that after school, since that had crossed the line.
When discussing religion in history, I always emphasized the need to
understand people's belief to show how it influenced their actions.
This was a little trickier as I am no expert on other religions.  It is
an approach that seems to work.  No parents have complained yet.

 

The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech".  Consequent court decisions have
narrowed what can be discussed or done, but none have outlawed the
discussion of religious belief in the school.

 

Articles 1 and 2 in the ALA Library Bill of Rights state

 

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the
interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community
the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the
origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all
points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be
proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
(Underlining added)

 

As for buying the books, the only question to me would be, "will they
circulate?"  If there is a group of students who want to read them,
order them.  With only two weeks in the Library, one of my former
students came in and asked me to buy the Rainbow Boys series of books.
I was hesitant at first, but finally realized that it didn't matter if
some parents were offended, as long as those books were read.  Those
three books circulate regularly, and if forced to defend them, one of my
tools will be those circulation figures.

 

Best of Luck,

 

 

David J. Burt 

Teacher Librarian 

Southwest High School 

El Centro, CA 

dburt at cuhsd.net <mailto:dburt at cuhsd.net>  

http://library.eaglesnet.net

 


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