[CASL-L] [EXTERNAL] Re: Book challenge policies

[My9lives124]

Did you all hear about Illinois?
https://www.k12dive.com/news/illinois-to-end-book-bans/649658/#:~:text=Both%20houses%20of%20the%20Democrat,a%20Democrat%2C%20expected%20to%20sign
.


On Mon, May 8, 2023, 7:31 AM Rocca, Jen <Roccaj at brookfieldps.org> wrote:

> I'm not sure if the issue is that they can't find reviews that support
> their thinking or that the concept of professional reviews is hard for them
> to grasp. We don't typically expect members of the general public to
> understand the inner workings of our jobs. We know what the information
> literacy skills of the average person are like. Maybe they really don't
> understand the significance of a "professional review." They're not hard to
> find, especially once you're provided with a list of examples of where to
> find professional reviews. Sometimes Amazon even lists them.
>
> I will say that our community book challengers view the ALA as a front
> group for a liberal agenda. They are immediately dismissive of anything
> that comes from the ALA. More than once we've been asked, in an accusatory
> tone, if we are using recommendations from the ALA.
>
> On Fri, May 5, 2023 at 9:23 PM Egan, Danelle <egand at bethel.k12.ct.us>
> wrote:
>
>> 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]
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> Jennifer Rocca (she/her)
> BHS Teacher Librarian
> 203-775-7725 x-7775
>
> "We are a learning community committed to fostering intellect, respect,
> and integrity."
> _______________________________________________
> CASL-L mailing list
> CASL-L at mylist.net
> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>
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