[CASL-L] CASL-L Digest, Vol 11, Issue 230

Tess Mawhinney-McCool tess.mawhinney at gmail.com
Wed Sep 17 07:05:47 PDT 2025
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*Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I am not an attorney. *

Requiring a permission slip for all 5th graders to access to the YA
section/books of the school library would likely be found unconstitutional.
In Counts v. Cedarville School District
<https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/295/996/2307891/>
the
school Principal required permission slips for students to access* Harry
Potter*. The court ruled that permission slips create a stigmatizing and
chilling effect and would violate students' First Amendment rights to read
and access information. This was in regard to specific books (*Harry Potter*),
but blanket permission slips are seen as a restriction to access, and thus
a violation. When there is a genuine educational reason to restrict free
speech (very hard to prove) then a less restrictive means may be okay.
Requiring an opt-in is more restrictive. This *could* lead to a lawsuit.

Given all of this, the less restrictive way to address this concern would
be to let parents know (maybe through a newsletter or something sent home
through the main office) that the library serves grades 5-8, including a
young adult section / books. Let parents know that students have access to
the entire collection unless they contact you or fill out an opt out form
(however you decide to handle that managerial function). This way one
person is not restricting access for an entire grade (most restrictive),
but rather a parent/guardian can restrict for their own child (i.e., you
can decide for your own child what is appropriate but not for every child).

Let me know if you have any questions.
Tess McCool / Law4Librarian SLMS





On Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 9:06 AM <casl-l-request at mylist.net> wrote:

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> than "Re: Contents of CASL-L digest..."
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. middle school? permissions?parent outreach (Christine Bairos)
>    2. Re: middle school? permissions?parent outreach (Cathy Andronik)
>    3. Re: middle school? permissions?parent outreach (Loretta Sullivan)
>    4. Re: middle school? permissions?parent outreach (Lauren Yansick)
>    5. Cricuit (Jodie D'Alexander)
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Christine Bairos <cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org>
> To: CASL <casl-l at mylist.net>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2025 18:02:51 -0400
> Subject: [CASL-L] middle school? permissions?parent outreach
> Hello,
> I am .2 at our middle school, grades 5-8. We have a young adult section
> and I was told that we need to get permission from 5th grade parents to let
> students read from that section.  Last year I did this on an individual
> basis.  Advice on if I should send out something to all fifth grade
> parents. Trying not to rock the boat since we have no policies in place...
>
>
>
> Christine Bairos
> She/Her (What’s This?) <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>
>
> Library Media Specialist
>
> Old Saybrook High School (.8)
>
> (860) 395-3175 x 4230
>
> Old Saybrook Middle School (.2)
>
> (860) 395-3168
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Cathy Andronik <cathyandronik at yahoo.com>
> To: CASL <casl-l at mylist.net>, Christine Bairos <
> cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:16:17 +0000 (UTC)
> Subject: Re: [CASL-L] middle school? permissions?parent outreach
> "Told by" whom?
>
> Cathy Andronik
> Retired, Brien McMahon HS
>
> On Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 06:03:13 PM EDT, Christine Bairos <
> cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
> I am .2 at our middle school, grades 5-8. We have a young adult section
> and I was told that we need to get permission from 5th grade parents to let
> students read from that section.  Last year I did this on an individual
> basis.  Advice on if I should send out something to all fifth grade
> parents. Trying not to rock the boat since we have no policies in place...
>
>
>
> Christine Bairos
> She/Her (What’s This?) <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>
>
> Library Media Specialist
>
> Old Saybrook High School (.8)
>
> (860) 395-3175 x 4230
>
> Old Saybrook Middle School (.2)
>
> (860) 395-3168
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CASL-L mailing list
> CASL-L at mylist.net
> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Loretta Sullivan <b59lgian at mpspride.org>
> To: Christine Bairos <cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org>
> Cc: CASL <casl-l at mylist.net>
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:59:06 -0400
> Subject: Re: [CASL-L] middle school? permissions?parent outreach
> Hello Christine,
>
> I have grades 5 and 6 with a small YA section.  I call parents directly to
> get permission for a few of the books, depending on content due to the fact
> that they are 9 and 10 years old.  Parents appreciate this.  I use my
> discretion.  An example of why a parent did not want their child reading a
> particular author/series was the fact that they had experienced trauma that
> the content of the book potentially could have triggered that particular
> student.  The parent was ok with her child taking out other YA books.  I do
> not have a "permission" slip as I feel that it opens up a can of worms.  In
> general, I let the kids know that they can come back to the library to swap
> out a book if it is something that they are not comfortable with, struggle
> to read, not interesting enough, etc...  Seems to be working for us.  I do
> my best to allow for choice, but recognize that parents should be called
> for certain content to avoid issues.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Loretta Sullivan
> Library Media Specialist
> Bennet Academy
> Manchester, CT
>
> 2025-2026 Chromebook Request Form
> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc11IrmeDPuC_bGRfRYW4wHpfO_K1dvAWhhDh_OHapvzdWu1A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103246353046446165356>
>
> Chromebook Expectations Livestream Video
> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fku6AD7c2qV2f3kbjc6KWPCdpi_EbeWm/view?usp=sharing>
>
> 2025-2026 Bennet Chromebook Take Home Permission Form
> <https://forms.gle/kyR31hncZmzo1YVo7>
>
> 2025-2026 Poster Request Form
> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKzrOEd8lMwybsf-WL5cGvtes-o1zT4K1-c1_6ZX7iMXeiNg/viewform?usp=dialog>
>
> IT Work Order Link <https://mpspride.gofmx.com/login>
>
> For all other technology assistance (including laptops and iPads), go to
> the IT Helpdesk <http://bit.ly/mps_helpdesk>  or call / text
> 860-682-0607,  Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
>
> "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most
> accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."
> -Charles W. Eliot
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Sep 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM Christine Bairos <
> cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org> wrote:
>
>> Hello,
>> I am .2 at our middle school, grades 5-8. We have a young adult section
>> and I was told that we need to get permission from 5th grade parents to let
>> students read from that section.  Last year I did this on an individual
>> basis.  Advice on if I should send out something to all fifth grade
>> parents. Trying not to rock the boat since we have no policies in place...
>>
>>
>>
>> Christine Bairos
>> She/Her (What’s This?) <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>
>>
>> Library Media Specialist
>>
>> Old Saybrook High School (.8)
>>
>> (860) 395-3175 x 4230
>>
>> Old Saybrook Middle School (.2)
>>
>> (860) 395-3168
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CASL-L mailing list
>> CASL-L at mylist.net
>> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Lauren Yansick <yansickl at shermanschool.com>
> To: Loretta Sullivan <b59lgian at mpspride.org>
> Cc: Christine Bairos <cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org>, CASL <
> casl-l at mylist.net>
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:17:41 -0400
> Subject: Re: [CASL-L] middle school? permissions?parent outreach
> I always do a reverse permission slip for the YA section (only with 5th
> graders). I send home a paper copy and a digital copy through school
> messenger, as well as a notice in our weekly newsletter.
>
> I hope this helps!
>
> Lauren
>
> On Wed, Sep 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM Loretta Sullivan via CASL-L <
> casl-l at mylist.net> wrote:
>
>> Hello Christine,
>>
>> I have grades 5 and 6 with a small YA section.  I call parents directly
>> to get permission for a few of the books, depending on content due to the
>> fact that they are 9 and 10 years old.  Parents appreciate this.  I use my
>> discretion.  An example of why a parent did not want their child reading a
>> particular author/series was the fact that they had experienced trauma that
>> the content of the book potentially could have triggered that particular
>> student.  The parent was ok with her child taking out other YA books.  I do
>> not have a "permission" slip as I feel that it opens up a can of worms.  In
>> general, I let the kids know that they can come back to the library to swap
>> out a book if it is something that they are not comfortable with, struggle
>> to read, not interesting enough, etc...  Seems to be working for us.  I do
>> my best to allow for choice, but recognize that parents should be called
>> for certain content to avoid issues.
>>
>> Respectfully,
>>
>> Loretta Sullivan
>> Library Media Specialist
>> Bennet Academy
>> Manchester, CT
>>
>> 2025-2026 Chromebook Request Form
>> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc11IrmeDPuC_bGRfRYW4wHpfO_K1dvAWhhDh_OHapvzdWu1A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103246353046446165356>
>>
>> Chromebook Expectations Livestream Video
>> <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fku6AD7c2qV2f3kbjc6KWPCdpi_EbeWm/view?usp=sharing>
>>
>> 2025-2026 Bennet Chromebook Take Home Permission Form
>> <https://forms.gle/kyR31hncZmzo1YVo7>
>>
>> 2025-2026 Poster Request Form
>> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKzrOEd8lMwybsf-WL5cGvtes-o1zT4K1-c1_6ZX7iMXeiNg/viewform?usp=dialog>
>>
>> IT Work Order Link <https://mpspride.gofmx.com/login>
>>
>> For all other technology assistance (including laptops and iPads), go to
>> the IT Helpdesk <http://bit.ly/mps_helpdesk>  or call / text
>> 860-682-0607,  Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
>>
>> "Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most
>> accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."
>> -Charles W. Eliot
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM Christine Bairos <
>> cbairos at oldsaybrookschools.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello,
>>> I am .2 at our middle school, grades 5-8. We have a young adult section
>>> and I was told that we need to get permission from 5th grade parents to let
>>> students read from that section.  Last year I did this on an individual
>>> basis.  Advice on if I should send out something to all fifth grade
>>> parents. Trying not to rock the boat since we have no policies in place...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Christine Bairos
>>> She/Her (What’s This?) <https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why>
>>>
>>> Library Media Specialist
>>>
>>> Old Saybrook High School (.8)
>>>
>>> (860) 395-3175 x 4230
>>>
>>> Old Saybrook Middle School (.2)
>>>
>>> (860) 395-3168
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> CASL-L mailing list
>>> CASL-L at mylist.net
>>> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CASL-L mailing list
>> CASL-L at mylist.net
>> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>>
>
>
> --
> *Lauren Yansick*
> *Library Media Specialist*
> *The Sherman School*
> "Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back
> the right one." - Neil Gaiman
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Jodie D'Alexander" <jdalexander at region16ct.org>
> To: CASL-L <CASL-L at mylist.net>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:05:26 -0400
> Subject: [CASL-L] Cricuit
> Good Morning,
>
> Does anyone use Cricuit Cutting Machine in their library?  What would be
> your advice for someone looking to purchase one?  (model, tools, blades,
> easy press, vinyl, paper, pens, etc.).
>
> What do you use yours for?  Do you think it's a good investment?  Any
> resources you'd recommend (YouTube or Instagram accounts to follow, online
> trainings)?
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
>
>
> *Mrs. Jodie D’Alexander*
> *Library Media Specialist*
> Advisory/Senior Capstone Project*  co-Advisor*
> Woodland Student Book Club * co-Advisor*
> *Woodland Regional High School*
> *Connecticut Association of Schools- 2025 High School of the Year*
> 135 Back Rimmon Road
> Beacon Falls, CT  06403
> (203) 881-5551  ext. 7241
>
> *"The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the
> library." - Albert Einstein*
>
> _______________________________________________
> CASL-L mailing list
> CASL-L at mylist.net
> https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
>
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