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@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
"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@mylist.net> on behalf of Emily Boisvert <ebov@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 
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https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l


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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




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