[CASL-L] Book challenge policies

[Egan, Danelle]

I took it as they can’t find reviews that back up their opinion, not that
they can’t access professional reviews. I believe many of the professional
book review sites are accessible to the public- Kirkus, Booklist, and
Publishers Weekly for example.
It seems like the books being challenged have had excellent professional
reviews, hence the people challenging it struggling to find and cite
reviews that back up their issues with the books.
I actually love that Brookfield is asking for quotes from professional
reviewers. It says something when these people can’t find anything to back
up their desire to censor.
If I have misunderstood that this is what you meant Jen, please clarify for
me!
Thank you!

On Friday, May 5, 2023, Elaine Shapiro <elaine.shapiro7 at gmail.com> wrote:

> You make a good point Jen, that it is hard for people to find quality
> reviews of books.   How *would *your average person access professional
> book reviews?
>
> On Thu, May 4, 2023 at 7:49 AM Rocca, Jen <Roccaj at brookfieldps.org> wrote:
>
>> We are facing challenges in Brookfield right now. Some of our policy
>> ("addendum" below) was rewritten just last year.
>>
>> Our policy doesn't designate a specific timeline. We have replied to all
>> requests within 1-2 business days and then kept the "requestor" in the loop
>> on each step. Getting the books in a timely manner hasn't been a problem
>> because the process starts when they email their concern, then we send them
>> a reconsideration form to complete. While they are completing that form,
>> we've had time to order books and get them in before the forms were
>> returned. Our responses to a request for reconsideration email look like
>> this (policy links included)
>>
>> I am responding to your April 10th email requesting to have three books
>>> removed from the Brookfield High School library.  *Attached you will
>>> find the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form.* As per Regulation
>>> 6653 - School Library Media
>>> <https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/final_6563_reg.pdf>
>>> we will follow the following steps:
>>>
>>>    - Supply the requesting person with a copy of the library's
>>>    Selection Policy. (see Regulation 6653 - School Library Media
>>>    <https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/final_6563_reg.pdf>
>>>    )
>>>    - Supply the requesting person with the library's Request For
>>>    Reconsideration of Materials form and ask that the form be completed. (
>>>    *attached*)
>>>    - Ask that the completed form be returned to and discussed with the
>>>    Library Media Specialist
>>>    - After the completed form has been returned and discussed, the
>>>    Library Media Specialists will discuss the request with a committee
>>>    assigned by the Principal, to read or review the material, to reexamine the
>>>    reviews, and determine any action to be taken.
>>>    - The Principal will notify the person making the request of the
>>>    action taken.
>>>
>>> Please complete the attached form, one for each book, and return it to
>>> Ms. Rocca and Ms. Malatesta, the BHS teacher librarians.
>>>
>>> All of the relevant Brookfield Board of Education policies, addendums,
>>> and regulations are linked here:
>>>
>>> 6563 - Policy - School Library Media
>>> <https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/6563_policy.pdf>
>>>
>>>
>>> 6563 - Addendum - School Library Media
>>> <https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/final_appeals_to_library_media.pdf>
>>>
>>>
>>> 6653 - Regulation - School Library Media
>>> <https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/final_6563_reg.pdf>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> One thing I've learned about our policy is a problem with the
>> reconsideration form. It asks that they: "Cite two reviews/criticisms which
>> you have consulted in the process of forming your opinion about this work.
>> Include quotations which substantiate your opinions." Nobody yet has been
>> able to do that. They just quote parts of the book they don't like. We sent
>> a form back and explained what we meant by "review" as described in our BOE
>> regulation (see bullet below), they came back with 1-star Amazon reviews. I
>> think this part of our form was well conceived but is not working.
>>
>>    - "In order to assure intelligent discrimination in the selection of
>>       resources some of the following selection tools are used for reviewing
>>       purposes: Library Journal, Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal,
>>       Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Review" ( 6653 - Regulation - School
>>       Library Media
>>       <https://www.brookfield.k12.ct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif4196/f/pages/final_6563_reg.pdf>
>>        )
>>
>>
>> We haven't yet convened our committee but we probably will within the
>> week. The makeup of that committee is not dictated by the policy and I
>> think maybe it should be. At least some guidelines would be helpful, for
>> example, "A STEM teacher, a Humanities teacher, a school counselor or
>> psychologist, an administrator, etc.)
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, May 3, 2023 at 3:58 PM Elaine Shapiro <elaine.shapiro7 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear colleagues,
>>> We LMSs in East Windsor are recommending changes to our BOE collection
>>> and challenged book policies, and have a couple questions.
>>> 1.  What is your district's time line for gathering copies of a book
>>> being challenged, and having a reconsideration committee read the book?  We
>>> suggested 4 weeks, because we felt it would take time to gather copies from
>>> other libraries, particularly if the book is in high demand. But we wonder
>>> if 6 weeks is better.
>>> 2.  In this document, posted by Martha Hickson,  https://drive.
>>> google.com/file/d/12KL1PsNJmAStpq7FuM2LpdE-eUS6SNBg/view?pli=1
>>> there is a wonderful list of NJ state instructional regulations, that
>>> book challengers need to explain why the questioned book does not meet.
>>> I'd like to find such a list for CT.  Has anyone done this?
>>> Thank you for your thoughts,
>>> Elaine Shapiro, East Windsor Public Schools
>>> [image: image.png]
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> CASL-L mailing list
>>> CASL-L at mylist.net
>>> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Jennifer Rocca (she/her)
>> BHS Teacher Librarian
>> 203-775-7725 x-7775
>>
>> "We are a learning community committed to fostering intellect, respect,
>> and integrity."
>>
>

-- 
Danelle Egan
Library Media Specialist
Bethel Middle School
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world."
-Nelson Mandela


[image: Professional Reader]
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