A parent who objected to one of the titles in an eighth-grade classroom collection has recruited a group of parents to search for other “objectionable” titles in the teacher’s collection. I’m the school’s librarian, and I’m afraid those parents may be heading my way next.
Let’s deal with the classroom situation first. No parent should be allowed to paw through a teacher’s classroom for any reason. Where was the school administrator? There should be a reconsideration policy in place for classroom libraries. If your school or district doesn’t have one, I’d encourage the school board to develop one. Then a parent who objects to a book has a stated path to follow.
Now, let’s examine your fears regarding the same thing happening in the library. No library is immune from parents who are on a witch hunt. Express your fears to your principal, and let her know that you need her support. If parents show up in the library, let them know that they need to make an appointment so that you have time to spend with them. If they say they just want to look around, simply tell them that this isn’t a convenient time because you’re expecting a class. By the way, I can’t imagine that there’s any school nowadays that allows parents to roam the building unannounced. I would hope that the library is locked after school hours. If not, now’s the time to begin locking it.
Just a reminder: Do you have a selection policy? What about a reconsideration policy? Is there a policy regarding visitors in the school and library? These policies are your best protection.
I handle all of the collection development for a very small community library. My library director has told me to stop purchasing graphic novels. Plus, he says he’s going to move these titles from the children’s room to the adult section. When I asked him what prompted his decision, he just said, “A library isn’t about comic books.” I always thought our community was fairly liberal. Plus, I purchased graphic novels because our kids were asking for them. What should I do?
I would recommend asking your library director the following questions: Has he received a specific complaint? Does he think that graphic novels are “comic books”? And if that’s the case, what’s wrong with comic books? How does he plan to explain to young readers the sudden disappearance of an entire collection of popular titles? My guess is that he hasn’t thought these things through, and he’s simply responding to one loud citizen.
Here are some things you can do: first, introduce your director to a few graphic novels of exceptional literary merit. Next, suggest that the library sponsor a program about children’s literature for parents. Let your young patrons do the teaching. Make sure to invite all types of young readers to take part in the session, including kids who are attracted to graphic novels. Even parents who are likely to complain about graphic novels will beam if their child is invited to participate. Just remember that the only way to solve a problem is to talk about it. When such talks happen openly and publicly, then everyone is a winner.
Our town has had a few problems at the local shopping mall with gang-related crimes, which have sparked daily letters to the newspaper. One writer wants all books that deal with gangs removed from our public and school libraries. The public library has refused to go along with that scheme, but it looks like our school superintendent agrees with it. How should my fellow school librarians and I respond to him?
Respond in the same way you would with any book challenge. Gather supportive reviews, statements, etc., and remind the superintendent of your selection policies. Let the superintendent and school board know that reading books about gangs may help students express their fears. What most adults, including some superintendents, don’t realize is that the real danger is in not talking about it.
Remember that many parents aren’t equipped to discuss “tough topics” with their kids. Maybe they need the guidance of a good school librarian. The names of recommended books about gangs as well as discussion questions for students could be posted on your school’s Web site. Maybe if you suggest that idea to the superintendent, he’ll change his mind.