[CASL-L] Restricting Book Checkouts for Age Appropriateness

[Michele Eligio]

I do strongly believe that our school libraries are a place to promote
choice with respect to book self-selection/self-censorship. However, I
understand Ava's point. When I was the school librarian for WIMS in Hamden,
a K-8 school, the library set up included various sections - one primarily
accessed by K-2, one by 3-5, and one by  6-8th graders. Many times a
student from one academy who was reading at a high level accessed books in
a section more frequently used by a higher level academy and as Ava
mentioned some of the books (for WIMS, typically the YA books) were graphic
and intense. This of course, at times, caused issues with parents when for
example a student in the 3-5th-grade academy, who was reading at a higher
level, wanted to take out a YA book. The school, in an effort to head off
problems, did eventually employ a policy in which a student (in grade five
and below) who wanted to take out a YA book needed to get parental consent
first.

This is a very difficult topic with strong opinions. I found some resources
that add to the conversation that I would like to share:
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=fresh-alternatives-build-engagement-scales-on-censorship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QULQXUzSXvA&feature=youtu.be (ALA
Intellectual Freedom video 12:40 on - more in regards to a challenged book,
but still applicable)
http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/aaslissues/intellectual_freedom_brochure0212.pdf
(brochure AASL)
http://www.katemessner.com/an-important-conversation-about-elementary-library-book-selection-omission/
(a very interesting conversation)
https://njla.org/content/njla-statement-schoolpublic-library-joint-use-standards
(NJ joint use standards; they highlight the distinction between public and
school libraries)


On Mon, Feb 11, 2019 at 8:22 PM Ava Biffer <ava.biffer at easthaddamschools.org>
wrote:

> I will respectfully disagree for my school.  My school covers grades four
> through eight, a very unusual grade configuration.  The 8th grade has books
> in the Holocaust collection that are graphic and extremely intense: I do
> not let 4th graders check them out.  Many 8th graders read The Book Thief.
> Shall I check that out to 4th graders?  Speak?  Wintergirls?  Inventing
> Elliot?  The Chocolate War?  There are too many examples to list.
>
>
> There are books that are perfectly appropriate for 13 or 14 year old
> students that are not appropriate for 8 or 9 year old students.  If a
> parent argues to the principal that his/her child should be allowed to take
> out a book, he will discuss it with the parent and make the decision.
>
>
> Wondering about the Wimpy Kid books is one thing; the books above are
> quite another.
>
>
>
>
> Ava M. Biffer
> Library Media Specialist
> Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School
> Moodus, CT 06469
> Voice: 860.873.5081 x129
> Email: ava.biffer at easthaddamschools.org
> "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."  John
> Dewey
> "Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back
> the right one." Neil Gaiman
> ------------------------------
> *From:* CASL-L <casl-l-bounces+abiffer=easthaddamschools.org at mylist.net>
> on behalf of Emily Boisvert <ebov at sbcglobal.net>
> *Sent:* Monday, February 11, 2019 5:00 PM
> *To:* Casl List Serv
> *Subject:* [CASL-L] Restricting Book Checkouts for Age Appropriateness
>
> Good afternoon, everyone!
>
> I'd love the collective minds of the CASL listserv to provide some
> perspective on this issue......my understanding is that CASL follows the
> intellectual property policies of ALA/AASL since the School Library Bill of
> Rights and censorship links are on the advocacy page. I ask because there
> are some colleagues in my district that are debating the issue of
> "policing" student checkouts for age appropriateness (Wimpy Kid for first
> grade is the example) and they say that we operate 'in loco parentis' and
> can make decisions in lieu of parents about student book choices. My
> philosophy has always been for freedom of choice and everything I've
> learned and read professionally guides me in that direction since I was
> under the understanding that we are guided by the ALA/AASL policies. I did
> read in a few sources that 'in loco parentis' may apply to the LMS role,
> depending on state law. Are you aware of what that means for us in CT?
> Thanks so much, I'd like to bring concrete and accurate information to my
> PLC on this.
>
>
> Emily Boisvert
> Melissa Jones Elementary
> _______________________________________________
> CASL-L mailing list
> CASL-L at mylist.net
> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>


-- 



Sincerely,

Michele Eligio

North Branford High School Librarian

49 Caputo Road

North Branford, CT  06471

(203) 484-1465

 *“Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up
windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute
to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better.”
~Sidney Sheldon*

-- 
The information in this transmission is privileged and confidential and 
intended only for the recipient(s) listed above. If you have received this 
transmission in error, please notify us immediately by telephone or email 
and delete the original message and any attachments. Any review or use of 
the information contained in this email message by persons other than the 
intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, 
please notify the North Branford Public Schools immediately by telephone or 
email and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mylist.net/archives/casl-l/attachments/20190212/23dcceca/attachment.html>