The Library Bill of Rights: These basic principles are a great guide for libraries and librarians to follow to ensure intellectual freedom to all of their users. I believe as for any Bill of Rights there are multiple ways to interpret the information and as for the Library Bill of Rights, depending on the type of library different interpretations or policies may need to be adjusted to meet the needs of the patrons or learners. However, all people deserve the right to be readers and libraries are responsible for providing diverse resources to all readers.
Intellectual Freedom: I believe that it is important to educate students on intellectual freedom and provide them with adequate materials and resources to further their knowledge and enjoyment purposes. I find that it is very conflicting for school libraries to give students complete intellectual freedom due to the many restrictions that are placed on schools and their funding resources. Appendix E6. in National School Library Standards: for Learners, School Librarians and School Libraries. discusses the challenges due to filtering Internet access in school. However, filtered access is better than no access (AASL, 2018).
Censorship: I feel that if a reader dislikes the language the author uses in a book, then they should either abandon the book or try to look past the language. Authors use a particular language in their writing to convey many things such as culture, mood, tone, to build the image of a character, and more. By replacing the author’s language with words that are considered more appropriate, I feel that you are changing their writing and story. I can see why some authors would be offended by the Clean Reader app. Sci-fi author, Chuck Wendig, made a statement to readers who preferred the censored version of his work: "You may say, 'But I want to read your books, just without all that nasty business.' To which I say, 'then I don't want you reading my books. Nothing personal, but I wrote the thing the way I wrote the thing. If that troubles you, then I don't want you reading it.”(Starr, 2018) I agree, if I was an author and people were using an app to change the wording of my work, I’d rather them not read any of my writing at all.
Book Banning/Challenging: I feel that it is important to have age appropriate books in a school library. We live in a very diverse society, and it is important to educate our students on diversity and the challenges that one may face. I feel that many books are challenged or banned because they touch base on topics that may make some feel uncomfortable because they are not educated on the topic or they do not feel comfortable educating their children on the topic. Knowing that the Henning School District has no policy addressing selection or reconsideration of library materials (Pekoll, 2016) made me question my own school’s policy. While interviewing my school’s librarian I learned that our district library selection policy has been the same for the past thirty years. What! With so many changes and advances, how could this even be possible. My librarian said that many others in the district were also concerned with this and they were currently in the process of revamping the reconsideration process and making needed changes.
References:
American Association of School Librarians. (2018). National school library standards: for learners, school librarians and school libraries. Chicago: American Library Association.
Pekoll, K. (2016). This one summer banned in Henning, MN [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.oif.ala.org/one-summer-banned-henning-mn/
Starr, M. (2018). Clean Reader: The app that censors rude words from ebooks. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/culture/clean-reader-the-app-that-censors-rude-words-from-ebooks/
Librarian Interview
I interviewed my school’s librarian, Leigh Chapman, and she has been the librarian at Rockport Heights Elementary for the past 12 years. These are her responses to the following questions:
PREVIOUS CHALLENGES: We have not had a book challenge at our particular school, but within the district at local schools….some were at the elementary level, but more so in the middle school and high school. No books have been pulled from the elementary libraries.
RESTRICTIONS: I do have some restrictions, however, there are also modifications depending on the reader. However, typically the lower grades must check out books on the short shelves containing picture books and small chapter books. I use the American Library Association standards, and look at length and content. Older grades have access to the more challenging books, but they can look at the short shelves as well.
LABELING: The older books are labeled for AR since we previously used that program school wide. However, since we no longer use AR, the newer books are not. I give students free choice, therefore, I no longer label the books. I want to encourage students to choose good fit books. They are grouped for levels/age range around the room. Series books are all together, graphic novels, and then it is based on authors.
TRANSPARENCY: Both can be found in the Board Documents located on the district website. The library’s selection policy has been around for 30 years, and the library’s reconsideration process is currently being revamped.
SELF-CENSORSHIP: There are some books that I see appropriate for the grade levels, even though I might not agree with the book or content it’s not my place to censor them. Certain books such as the Mark Twain Award Nominees are always added to the library’s collection. This is part of our policy with the Board Documents, if the book is nominated it is to be part of the library's collection.
My Reflection: I feel that the librarians in my district have a lot of freedom when it comes to their collections. I also feel that they are supported by the community, parents, and administrators. Policies are set in place and are provided to set guidelines for school libraries so that they meet library and school standards. I believe that by following these policies, the materials in school libraries are less likely to be challenged. I believe that my librarian does a great job on making sure all students are represented in the library and that they have freedom to choose the books they want and are introduced to a variety of resources and materials that are easily accessible and age appropriate.