[CASL-L] parent

[DOREEN LOPEZ]

I am no expert, but this came up in one of my LMS classes. The general consenus was that if a book is available in my library, it is deemed appropriate for the age levels I service. If a parent does not want his / her child reading certain material, it is between him / her and their child. They need to have that conversation with the student. Even if the ALA Bill of Rights didn't exist, you couldn't possibly be expected to police every student's book selections.


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.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

LOL - Can you tell that I am a little passionate about this topic?

Doreen Lopez
Library Media Specialist
Reed Elementary School - 33 Griggs St. - Waterbury, CT 06704
dlopez at waterbury.k12.ct.us<mailto:dlopez at waterbury.k12.ct.us>
203-574-8180    FAX - 203-574-6884
________________________________
From: CASL-L [casl-l-bounces at mylist.net] on behalf of KRISTINE P. EMOND [emond.kp at easthartford.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 9:27 AM
To: CASL-l at mylist.net
Subject: [CASL-L] parent


Hi everyone,



Seeking advice.  This morning a parent of a one of my frequent library users/big reader's dad apparently brought into the main office all the books his daughter has taken out here and says he no longer wants her reading these books.  Two were Gayle Foreman's and two were Elizabeth Scott's YA romance.  In my eyes, these are your typical teen romance/love stories and fairly tame reading considering what's out there.  The secretary field his argument and request and told him to reach out to his daughter's assistant principal.  I would like to get my feet on the ground with this because I am not interested in policing my 1800 students' book choices and I'm not setting a precedent.  Thanks!!







Kristine Emond
Library/Media Specialist
East Hartford High School
East Hartford, CT 06118
860-622-5258
emond.kp at easthartford.org<mailto:emond.kp at easthartford.org>

"You can be too rich and too thin, but you can never be too well read or too curious about the world." - Tim Gunn