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Book Challenges Handbook

Resources & Suggestions for Preparing for & Managing School Library Controversies

Mary Moyer Stubbs | Ellen Pozzi | Tricina Strong-Beebe | Tara Cooper Weiss

Moderated by: Steve Tetreault

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Access these slides:

bit.ly/njasl21challengehandbook

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(NJASL 21 Challenge Handbook, all lowercase)

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Safe Spaces Statement

This is a safe space for open, honest, and respectful communication. We acknowledge that our personal experiences, values, and opinions differ. Therefore, we honor the following ground rules for discussion in this group:

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  • We agree that everyone present in this meeting has equal worth and deserves to be heard.
  • We agree to check our personal biases and refrain from making judgements about the words or actions of others.
  • We agree to respect each other’s humanity. We forgive as needed and learn from our mistakes.
  • We agree to utilize active listening and make it our goal to listen to understand.

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NJASL Community Agreements

  • What is said here stays here. What is learned here leaves here.
  • Share the air (be aware of how much you are talking versus listening or how much you are listening versus talking)
  • Engage in curiosity-driven conversations (remember the goal of our conversations is to offer and receive different perspectives, not to debate or argue)
  • Listen with compassion (everyone’s experiences are different and that is how we are all able to bring our unique perspectives to the table)

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THE SITUATION:

Books are being challenged throughout NJ and around the country.

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OBJECTIVES:

  • Defend the Right to Read
  • Provide access to information
  • Our duty is to our patrons, not our personal beliefs
  • Our obligation is to provide a variety of materials to promote critical thinking and development of ideas

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SUPPORT IS IN PLACE

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ALA’s Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

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.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019. Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices. See the documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.

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NJASL Position Statement on Censorship in our School Libraries

The New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) strongly supports the right of children of all ages to read a wide variety of material with differing viewpoints and perspectives. Censorship denies free access to information and stifles intellectual freedom.

NJASL believes that school librarians and parents/guardians are partners in a child’s journey to becoming a lifelong reader/learner. Respect for and by all parties in pursuit of this goal should be paramount: Threatening librarians, teachers, or school board members to the point that they do not feel safe in their jobs is not acceptable, and should be roundly condemned by all concerned.

School Librarians are committed to upholding the highest standards in providing information and resources. We firmly believe that it is our responsibility to provide equitable access to diverse and inclusive material that is representative of social and racial justice, the pursuit of truth and opposes efforts to suppress world views. School library media specialists are committed to curating material that reflect multiple viewpoints.

The American Library Association Library Bill of Rights states that “Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment” and “Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas” (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).

Furthermore, the American Library Association Code of Ethics enjoins librarians to “uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources” (https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics).

Acting in accordance with these principles, NJASL supports school librarians who stand up to censorship within their schools, supports the use of equitable reconsideration policies, and supports collections with diverse representation. NJASL Censorship Document

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ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF)

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Refocus Challenges

  • Turn focus to the mission of the school / school library vs the focus on the library material
  • Reminder: There are requirements by the State of New Jersey for the inclusion of particular topics and materials (see “Laws and NJ Student Learning Standards as Supports”)

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Vision & Mission Statement Samples

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Laws and NJ Student Learning Standards as Supports

  • New Jersey
  • United States
    • First Amendment: 1982 Supreme Court case (Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico by Pico) states that “Although school boards have a vested interest in promoting respect for social, moral, and political community values, their discretionary power is secondary to the transcendent imperatives of the First Amendment,” and that “as centers for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas, school libraries enjoy a special affinity with the rights of free speech and press. Therefore, the Board could not restrict the availability of books in its libraries simply because its members disagreed with their idea content.”

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Consider an Advisory Committee

  • Having teachers, parents, students, and community members engaged with the work and materials of the school library can create a positive experience and a team of advocates.
  • Soliciting their input for book selection and reconsideration policies ensures that the voice of the community supersedes individual voices of dissent.
  • Many book reconsideration policies require an advisory committee

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Selection/Reconsideration Policies

Elements to include in Selection Policy:

  • Objectives
  • Responsibility for Selection
    • List by Title
  • Criteria for Selection
    • Review sources

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  • Procedures
  • Special Areas
    • Gifts
  • Policies on Materials
    • Intellectual Freedom
    • Freedom to Read Statements

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Selection/Reconsideration Policies

Reconsideration Policy

  • Procedures
    • Official written complaint
    • Reconsideration committee makeup and process
    • Reporting findings to school board
  • Reconsideration Form
    • Has complainant read the whole text?
    • What are concerns?
  • Approval of both policies by School Board

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Selection/Reconsideration Policies Resources

Resources for Writing Policies

Samples:

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Model Book Selection & Reconsideration Policies

Here are the policies related to book challenges at North Hunterdon High School:

Policy 2530: Library Resource Materials

Regulation 2530

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Policy 9130: Public Complaints and Grievances

Regulation 9130

  • The principal shall notify librarians of the receipt of a Materials Reconsideration form (this did not happen consistently in the current cases)
  • The materials shall remain in use until the reconsideration committee makes its recommendation
  • If the challenged library resource is retained, the district will not convene a reconsideration committee relative to the same complaint for a period of five years (this will prevent repeat, nuisance complaints; I can imagine the current protestors immediately challenging a title again if the committee decides to retain it)
  • A decision to sustain a challenge shall not be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility on the part of the professionals involved in the original selection or use of the material (this will prevent administrators from taking disciplinary action against librarians)”

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Resources & Related Articles

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Resources & Related Articles (con’t)

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Supportive Padlets

Conversation on Intellectual Freedom 1

Conversation on Intellectual Freedom 2

Conversation on Intellectual Freedom 3

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Join a Regional Response Team

As challenges take place in districts across the state, we need more than ever to stand together.

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ALA and Additional Resources

AASL Town Hall: Book Challenges - December 8th, 2021 6:00 pm Central TIme

ALA Assistance: ALA STATEMENT released 11/30/21

ALA recently held state legislative summit hosted by OIF and PPA. It included recognition that the local challenges to books are related to the state legislative trends, so ALA is working on these major areas for follow-up:

  • Legislative toolkit will be finalized and published by January 1
  • Messaging for both library audiences and the general public--several initiatives around this, with additional information to follow
  • Infrastructure: ensuring that ALA is effectively mobilizing across the association to respond and to support members and state partners; and that we are connecting with allies and coalition partners to amplify our impact
  • Library visibility: ensuring that libraries are in front of decision makers for the wide range of impactful materials, services, and programs they offer

AASL is holding a Town Hall December 8 discussion book challenges with OIF’s Kristin Pekoll.

Additional Information:

Nationwide Censorship Attacks

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THIS IS ONLY THE START

If you’d like to continue the conversation:

https://forms.gle/63CoMxsHYup8VP9q9

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PLANS:

  • Town Hall Discussions
  • Communication and partnerships
  • A STRONG COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

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A FINAL THOUGHT

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OPEN DISCUSSION

*Reminder of safe space statement...