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 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@mylist.net> wrote:
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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@oldsaybrookschools.org>
To: CASL <casl-l@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?)

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@yahoo.com>
To: CASL <casl-l@mylist.net>, Christine Bairos <cbairos@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@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?)

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@mylist.net
https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loretta Sullivan <b59lgian@mpspride.org>
To: Christine Bairos <cbairos@oldsaybrookschools.org>
Cc: CASL <casl-l@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






For all other technology assistance (including laptops and iPads), go to the IT 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@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?)

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@mylist.net
https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lauren Yansick <yansickl@shermanschool.com>
To: Loretta Sullivan <b59lgian@mpspride.org>
Cc: Christine Bairos <cbairos@oldsaybrookschools.org>, CASL <casl-l@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@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






For all other technology assistance (including laptops and iPads), go to the IT 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@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?)

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@mylist.net
https://mylist.net/listinfo/casl-l
_______________________________________________
CASL-L mailing list
CASL-L@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@region16ct.org>
To: CASL-L <CASL-L@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

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