[CALIBK12] Censorship and the Power of Policies

[Darla Brown]

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Good morning, all: After sending off my 15th individual e-mail w/ my reconsideration policy, I am now posting it to the listserve to save a little time. I hope those of you who already have your own don't mind.
But first, my 2 cents. Joanne, I agree w/ you completely about this high school novel being available for a 4th-grader to read. This, as you said, should have been taken care of before the novel ever hit the shelf w/ a current, well-utilized SELECTION POLICY. I think it is so important that we not only scrutinize the titles we consider purchasing, but have a written document that helps us defend our positions. Certainly we make mistakes-as I have, and as this school librarian in Fresno apparently did. What I don't condone-as Diane mentioned-is allowing a parent (or anyone else) march into my library and start pulling books off the shelf.
So let's be prepared, shall we? Let's NOT begin our Thanksgiving break without a selection policy AND a reconsideration (challenge) policy in place-or at least an appointment w/ our principals to discuss them. I have attached mine as a starting point if you don't have them. I keep them both in my Policies and Procedures Manual, and post the selection policy on my library website. Have a great weekend!
P.S. Great article in this month's SLJ re: censorship, too...
Mrs. Darla Brown, TL, M.Ed.
Teacher Librarian
Garces Memorial High School
"60 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education"
661-327-2578 x133
dbrown at garces.org


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