[CASL-L] Restricting Book Checkouts for Age Appropriateness

[Weston, JanMarie (Vinal)]

As school librarians we make choices all the time about the books we choose to order for our schools.  It is expected that we have the knowledge and experience to purchase books that are appropriate for our school’s population.  We cannot however be expected to read every single book that comes into our libraries.  Depending upon book reviews, summaries, publisher information, etc. is part of our job.

I have had students in my high school request the Wimpy Kid books.  Their objective is to read easy books.  As we participate in the Accelerated Reading Program, the students have to read to earn a certain number of points each marking cycle.  I have told them that those books are for middle and elementary students. If they want them those books are available in public libraries.  Doing this I censor what is available at school but not outside our doors.

I want all students to read, to expand their knowledge, but I am not censoring their choices in my library.

Jan Weston
Vinal Technical High School


From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces+janmarie.weston=ct.gov at mylist.net> On Behalf Of Butler, Katherine
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2019 6:54 PM
To: ljclsj at cox.net
Cc: Lauren Hunt <huntla at danbury.k12.ct.us>; Casl List Serv <casl-l at mylist.net>; Emily Boisvert <ebov at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CASL-L] Restricting Book Checkouts for Age Appropriateness

Greg Hefley,  the main character in The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is in middle school. Some of the books have boys talking about hot girls and commenting on someone’s cute butt. I believe it is reasonable to question whether to place a book featuring middle school characters and the ensuing content in the hands of a 6 or 7 year old child.
Kate Butler

On Tue, Feb 12, 2019 at 6:09 AM <ljclsj at cox.net<mailto:ljclsj at cox.net>> wrote:
I strongly agree with Lauren. Library is the place for choice of book!
Linda Marchisio
Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 11, 2019, at 6:28 PM, Lauren Hunt <huntla at danbury.k12.ct.us<mailto:huntla at danbury.k12.ct.us>> wrote:
Hi Emily,

It is frequently the case that many other school employees do not fully understand the role of the library and LMS. The library should 100% be free choice for students as per the ALA bill of rights. If a parent is specifically prohibiting their child from checking out a book that is different, however I do not find it appropriate for teachers to label a series like Diary of a Wimpy kid for only 1st graders. What if a student is below grade level and wants something on their level? What if they simply love the series? What kind of message are we as librarians sending if we tell a student that they cannot have a book because they are too old for it? I firmly feel that students should be able to have free choice because at the end of the day, that’s what libraries are for.

Lauren Hunt
Library Media Specialist
Ellsworth Avenue Elementary


On Feb 11, 2019, at 5:00 PM, Emily Boisvert <ebov at sbcglobal.net<mailto:ebov at sbcglobal.net>> wrote:
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
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Kate

Katherine Butler
Library Media Specialist
Nayaug Elementary School<https://www.glastonburyus.org/schools/Nayaug/librarymedia/Pages/default.aspx>


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