Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
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Discussion of censorship, equity, and other concerns.
Terrible news from ArkansasBill to regulate availability of certain books in Arkansas libraries on its way to governor's desk
State Senate approved amended bill in 24-5 vote
After concurring with a House amendment, the Senate voted 24-5 to give final approval to Senate Bill 81 by Sen Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro.
The measure also would create an offense for “furnishing a harmful item to a minor” and strike a defense from state law intended to protect librarians from criminal prosecution under obscenity laws.
Sullivan told a Senate committee on Monday the amendment made to the bill in the House was a “good amendment.” House sponsor Rep. Justin Gonzales, R-Okolona, has said the amendment was intended to make clarifying changes.
Under the amended bill, committees of librarians and legislative panels could require a school or public library to “relocate” challenged books within their library rather than “remove” them. Gonzales has said librarians would have to place these books in a part of the library not accessible to children.
Sullivan has said the bill would not create a list of banned books and noted a librarian would have to knowingly distribute material deemed obscene by a court before they could be prosecuted.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2...
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Texas lawmakers debate which books belong in school librariesLocal efforts to remove books from school libraries are now moving to a statewide stage during Texas’ 88th legislative session. Lawmakers have filed bills to create uniform standards for which books should be available in public school libraries. One is from State Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, who filed House Bill 900. His legislation is a priority bill for Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, which means it has a better chance of passing.
Patterson said the goal of the bill is to remove sexually explicit material from school libraries. His involvement in this issue began over a year ago in Frisco.
“HB 900 is the result of 18 months worth of work on this issue, where I worked with grassroots moms, predominantly in my district, to try to remove sexually explicit materials in schools,” he told KUT.
Patterson, who is a Frisco ISD parent, challenged more than two dozen books in that district’s school libraries including Damsel, All Boys Aren't Blue, and The Handmaid's Tale: A Graphic Novel. He described the local process for challenging books as cumbersome and said the district did not take the issue seriously enough. (That is a claim the FISD superintendent has pushed back on.) So, Patterson decided to file legislation to create statewide standards for libraries in K-12 public schools.
“We have to step up now to protect our kids," he said. "And, we're going to pass a statewide standard for the first time in the state of Texas.”
But what exactly constitutes sexually explicit material? Patterson said just mentioning sex does not make the content explicit, but if there are graphic depictions of sex, that’s another story.
Gender Queer: A Memoir
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
But during the hearing, two Austin-area Democrats raised concerns that the language in HB 900 is too broad and could have unintended consequences. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa pointed out that language in the bill that seeks to exclude books considered “pervasively vulgar” from school libraries could mean some of her son’s favorite book series would no longer be available, such as The Adventures of Captain Underpants and Fart Quest, “It’s books like these that are lacking in sophistication and talk about bodily function that inspires him to read,” she said.
Patterson responded that he would work with Hinojosa on the bill’s language. Patterson also faced extensive questions over the bill’s terminology from State Rep. James Talarico, who worried classic books, such as Lonesome Dove, could be deemed sexually explicit material. Talarico also offered to collaborate on making the bill's language more narrow.
Critics of HB 900 at the hearing also raised concerns that it would have a disproportionate impact on books featuring LGBTQ+ characters. Patterson told KUT that is not his intent.
The Texas Freedom Network, a progressive group, has criticized Patterson's bill.
"Irresponsible calls to censor books because they don’t align with certain individuals’ personal views is a misguided use of political power," TFN Political Director Carisa Lopez said in a press release.
Patterson’s measure would require the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to develop school library standards that would need approval from the State Board of Education. It would then mandate library book vendors rate books as either “sexually explicit” or “sexually relevant” based on those new standards.
Sexually explicit material wouldn’t be allowed in school libraries at all. Students would need the permission of a parent or guardian to access sexually relevant materials. Patterson said if someone is concerned that a vendor did not rate a book properly, they could ask the Texas Education Agency to take action. And, if a vendor does not rate books appropriately, they could be banned from selling materials to school districts.
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Patterson said his book has legal protections for librarians as well as schools, because he said often they may not be aware of sexually explicit materials in their collections.
“I want to be very, very clear. This falls on the book vendors,” he said. “That's why we are forcing them to rate the books. That's why they are the ones that are going to be held responsible financially if they do provide this material to our public schools.”
But Robinson and Calzada are still worried that this type of legislation could negatively impact librarians.
“There are already processes in place as librarians curate their collection and they make the decision to place books for their student groups within specific sections of the library,” Robinson said.
https://www.kut.org/education/2023-03...
Also bad news from North DakotaNorth Dakota book ban bills advance
The Senate adopted amendments and in a veto-proof 39-7 vote passed House Bill 1205 by House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson.
The bill goes back to the House of Representatives for concurrence on Senate amendments. If the House doesn't concur, a conference committee of representatives and senators will reconcile differences.
https://www.inforum.com/news/north-da...
In Anchorage, they're still trying to justify banning Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a HumanLibrary Advisory Board members point to Alaska statute in circumventing review process on controversial book.
Libraries in the Anchorage School District have the book in a “professional collection” only, and it is not available for access by students, according to district officials.
“I’m making a formal request to have legal — outside of the Library Advisory Board — take a peek at it, take a peek at the code and give us an opinion,” Library Advisory Board Member Doug Weimann said. “These are recorded meetings and I just want to go on record as saying that I have serious concerns about us potentially doing things that are breaking the code.”
The code in this case is a section of municipal code that outlines performances and exhibitions harmful to minors and a state statute centered on unlawful exploitation of minors.
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/202...
A couple of stories from Virginia about how one school district has banned 14 books _________________
A Virginia school district’s new superintendent decided Wednesday to remove 14 books from school libraries and donate them to the county government’s public library system.
Taylor, the superintendent, reasons in a memo issued Wednesday that the definition of instructional materials “includes library resources” in Spotsylvania County Public Schools libraries—and so those books are subject to parental and committee review.
Following the parental complaint made by Petersen, the Spotsylvania school district appointed a committee of school staff members to review the 14 books.
Taylor notes in his memo that, regardless of the explicit content, the staff committee suggested that all 14 of the books remain in school libraries.
But Taylor disagreed with those findings, writing that it is “indisputable” that the 14 books contain graphic content as defined by Virginia law.
The superintendent also noted the difficulty of creating controlled spaces in each school library to store said books that would be reviewed and curated from among over 300,000 books in the Spotsylvania school system’s library for students to check out upon request with parental permission.
His reasoning:
"I find that none of the 14 books listed above truly needs to be included in any SCPS school library. So, having met with the complainant [Petersen], it is my decision and direction on our further course of action as a division … that all 14 of the books listed above are to be excluded from our SCPS school libraries. All copies of these books are to be removed from our libraries and delivered to the School Board Office, and I will recommend that they be declared surplus property and donated to a public library."
The 14 “young adult” novels to be removed from libraries in Spotsylvania County Public Schools by order of Superintendent Mark Taylor, on the job since Nov. 1, include:
“All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto” by George Johnson
“Like a Love Story” by Abdi Nazemian
“Dime” by E. R. Frank
“Sold” by Patricia McCormick
“Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Perez
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
“America” by E. R. Frank
“Looking for Alaska” by John Green
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
“Water for Elephants” by Sarah Gruen
“Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe” by Preston Norton
“More Happy Than Not” by Adam Silvera
“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
“Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult
It is not clear whether the Spotylvania County government’s library system would accept copies of the 14 books from the school system, or place restrictions on minors’ access to them if it does. A committee of school district staff consulted by Taylor had defended the 14 titles.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/03/2...
https://fredericksburg.com/news/local...
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Did you get that? 14 books have been removed from a school library system because ONE person complained!
Also back to Central York, Pa. again. The one that started all this mess.'Why can't we have our own mind?': Central York speaks out on book ban
"Led by Superintendent Peter Aiken, Central York officials outlined two policies that the school board is expected to vote on April 17. The first would lay out a specific sequence of events allowing parents to submit written challenges to books used in the classroom. The second would require all teaching materials to be approved by the school board.
A third policy, which hasn't yet been written and would not be considered at next month's school board meeting, would govern complaints from parents about library materials.
he latest book ban prompted a student-led protest, including the circulation of a petition to reverse the ban. Some students have opted to wear red, the color of the "Push" book cover, to register their opposition to censorship.
Angry and hurt: Gabriel, one of dozens of people who spoke out at the meeting, said she felt angry and hurt when she heard the book was removed.
“A book was banned that stars a main character that looks like me,” she said, adding she may not have the experiences, but she can generally relate.
Gabriel said students should be involved in these decisions, noting that the policies the school district is considering don't allow for that.
Process not 'fool-proof': Aiken, meanwhile, asked for patience and grace as the district figures out its next steps.
“If nothing else, we were going to follow a process this time,” he said. “Was it a fool-proof process? No.”
As Central York's policy currently sits, challenges must be submitted in writing to the building principal and assistant superintendent, who will meet with the teacher and department chairperson to review the material. The challenge can be escalated to a review committee, made up of administrators and staff, to inspect the material. The final escalation steps could be moving the complaint to the superintendent and to the board.
“That [policy] will not be used going forward,” board member Amy Milsten said Monday night.
No policy for library books: The policy and curriculum committee members discussed the issue before the meeting. Board member Vickie Guth pointed out during the curriculum and policy meeting that material policy review is about resource materials but doesn’t specifically apply to libraries.
“How do you deal with the complaint because it doesn’t fit into things defined by policy 109?” Guth said.
Resident Marie Damiano said that while this policy wasn't supposed to about library materials, it was used to ban two books.
She said when there isn’t a policy for a specific event, another policy that states the administration or superintendent can deal with the matter at their discretion, bring it to the board and decide on how to proceed. From her understanding, Aiken and his staff did what they thought was right, even if there was no specific policy.
After some discussion on the regulations and policy, the committee settled on creating a policy for library materials that are not used in the classroom curriculum. They will try to get that new policy done quickly, with an administrative regulation that the board can approve but not write. Guth said this has to be fast-tracked because it will remain “an open-ended issue until it’s resolved.”
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From [Aiken's] vantage point, these books should not be read independently by students. Aiken noted that he'd like to seek input from a social worker or counselor on the value of challenged books. Aiken said the review committee, which was made up of two administrators, two teachers and a librarian, did not include a social worker or counselor. He said in hindsight, that could have helped.
“We’re going to attempt to make this right,” he said.
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Noah Riek, a Central graduate and board member Rebecca Riek's son, pointed out that Hitler's "Mein Kampf" is currently on the shelves of the library — a fact confirmed by the school's online library catalog.
But Riek wasn't speaking in favor of removing "Mein Kampf."
Instead, he said, difficult texts help students understand humanity and see the world more clearly."
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/ne...
The ban in Spotsylvania might be a moot point as there is talk of eliminating school libraries, and other programs, lay off teachers and librarians due to budgetary considerations. (or so they say)."SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Spotsylvania County Public Schools could lay off over 120 staff members and eliminate all school libraries if they do not get the funding they are requesting.
The presentation states the district needs the board of supervisors to provide $21,854,908 to fully fund them, though they may be able to get that down to as low as $8 million.
If they don't get this funding, the district is considering laying off 60 teachers and 63 librarians and eliminating all school libraries altogether.
“If we end up with the whole gap with the state and the county, then that gap is more than 5 % of the whole budget," Taylor said at the meeting.
He repeatedly said he did not want to make any of these cuts, though he was met with boos from the crowd when he said there have been some school districts that have gotten rid of libraries.
Every seat in the meeting room was taken, with standing room only space, as teachers, librarians, parents, and others involved in the school district packed the building and voiced their vehement displeasure with the proposed cuts.
Kathryn Dyson is a librarian at Courthouse Road Elementary School, and was tearful when considering whether or not she will soon be without a job.
“This is a gut punch. This is my 31st year teaching, and I never thought my job for students I love so much would be in the line. To take away books from children and close libraries is unfathomable," Dyson said, fighting back tears.
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The school board members were most opposed to the cutting of libraries.
“As far as the libraries go, that’s just not an option for me," said April Gillespie, the vice chair who represents the Berkeley District. "We struggle with internet services. How would we have access to books?"
https://wjla.com/news/local/spotsylva...
https://wjla.com/news/local/spotsylva...
The ban in Spotsylvania might be a moot point as there is talk of eliminating school libraries, and other programs, lay off teachers and librarians due to budgetary considerations. (or so they say)."SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Spotsylvania County Public Schools could lay off over 120 staff members and eliminate all school libraries if they do not get the funding they are requesting.
The presentation states the district needs the board of supervisors to provide $21,854,908 to fully fund them, though they may be able to get that down to as low as $8 million.
If they don't get this funding, the district is considering laying off 60 teachers and 63 librarians and eliminating all school libraries altogether.
“If we end up with the whole gap with the state and the county, then that gap is more than 5 % of the whole budget," Taylor said at the meeting.
He repeatedly said he did not want to make any of these cuts, though he was met with boos from the crowd when he said there have been some school districts that have gotten rid of libraries.
Every seat in the meeting room was taken, with standing room only space, as teachers, librarians, parents, and others involved in the school district packed the building and voiced their vehement displeasure with the proposed cuts.
Kathryn Dyson is a librarian at Courthouse Road Elementary School, and was tearful when considering whether or not she will soon be without a job.
“This is a gut punch. This is my 31st year teaching, and I never thought my job for students I love so much would be in the line. To take away books from children and close libraries is unfathomable," Dyson said, fighting back tears.
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The school board members were most opposed to the cutting of libraries.
“As far as the libraries go, that’s just not an option for me," said April Gillespie, the vice chair who represents the Berkeley District. "We struggle with internet services. How would we have access to books?"
https://wjla.com/news/local/spotsylva...
https://wjla.com/news/local/spotsylva...
It's happening here now too, one of the most liberal states in the country and probably in the region. A Republican Representative introduced a watered down version of the "Don't Say Gay" bill and the anti-CRT bills started in Florida and spread elsewhere. Of course we don't stand for this nonsense here and it will never pass. There's one or two, maybe three particular communities where they'd support it but certainly not in the more populated areas. The acolytes of the deeply, deeply conservative outgoing Bishop would support it too. "The "Parents' Bill of Rights Act," sponsored by Republican Rep. Patricia Morgan, calls it a "fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care of their minor children." It's not as specifically worded as Florida's "Parental Rights in Education Act," which explicitly bans teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation to young children, but there are strong parallels.
Specifically, the bill states that parents have the right to remove their children from sex education classes — a right parents already have — and can object to curriculums because of "beliefs regarding morality, sex and religion, or the belief that such materials are harmful."
"Information on a "child's health, well-being and education" should not be withheld from parents."
Morgan is also sponsoring a similar, shorter bill that says the government cannot "infringe on the fundamental rights" outlined above.
The morning before the measure was to be heard, eight lawmakers on the House Education Committee released a statement saying the bill is among a set of proposals motivated by "political interference orchestrated by divisive out-of-state groups aimed at pushing our society and our schools backward toward prejudice."
"While the groups promoting these ideas may be vocal and are trying to cloak these bills in a veil of ‘individual freedom’ and ‘parental rights,’ we understand that most Rhode Islanders aren’t interested in becoming a state where we deny the basic rights of LGBTQ students, ban books and prohibit educators from teaching about the wrongs that have occurred in history," the lawmakers said.
Morgan is also spearheading another bill with echoes of the conservative agenda in education, one attempting to govern teaching on race, ethnicity, religion and gender.
In response to lawmakers' statement denouncing her bills, Morgan said she is "not interested in ideological narratives that divide our children and hamper their intellectual growth."
"I agree that our children deserve to go to schools where their learning is not limited by political interference orchestrated by divisive out-of-state groups, and I encourage all members of the General Assembly to take that to heart," she added. "Sadly, it appears that the members who are opposing these bills have not read them."
"Morgan's bills attracted a barrage of critical testimony, including from Representatives Jason Knight and Carol McEntee, who called them "an attack on public educators by a small minority looking to spread a vile agenda that is both racist and anti-LGBTQIA."
Providence City Council members Miguel Sanchez and Shelley Peterson also wrote a joint letter in opposition to the bill that would limit teaching on race and other matters of identity. Both called the bill "deeply concerning" and warned that it would ban "the presentation of historical events and figures in a way that acknowledges oppression and victimization."
https://www.providencejournal.com/sto...
We know what happens next! Books get banned, teachers remove their classroom libraries, teachers and librarians are stripped of their professional roles.
One community where my BFF lives (mostly wealthy shore town) is trying to redefine "adult entertainment" but town solicitors are advising the town council against amending the definition for legal reasons. It's too broad and vague.
They all stop short of specifically banning books but we know how that goes from other states.
In the Rochester, NY area, the Hilton Central School District announced they have received a request to re-evaluate an LGBTQ+ book that is in the high school’s library. This Book Is GayAccording to the district, they will be assembling a Special Review Committee to review the book. The committee will then recommend the school board on the book’s status in the school."
"District officials outlined the process of assembling the committee — they ask residents in the Hilton School District to volunteer to serve on the committee by completing a form emailed to parents. If they receive over three volunteers, they will hold a lottery to select who will serve."
“This Book is Gay” has been the subject of bomb threats that were sent recently to the Hilton Central School District. Since then, the threats have been confirmed to be hoaxes."
"However, some members of the Hilton community expressed concerns about the safety of their children. Some residents even expressed concerns about “This Book is Gay” — with some saying that the book teaches kids not to be afraid of who they are while others say the content inside the book is inappropriate."
https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/e...
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Manybooks wrote: "I guess Patricia Morgan is not really a Republican or right wing but a actually a Communist, since that Parents' Bill of Rights Act totally smack not of individualism but of enforced collectivism (..."She's very conservative in an old school way from what I've read. She's not the worst of the bunch. They're also saying "RI H5859
This act would prevent the state or any governmental entity from infringing on the fundamental rights of parents in the upbringing of their children. This act would take effect upon passage."
It's bipartisan actually.
In contrast, there is a newish bill passed in 2021 to mandate civics education in middle and high school. I was shocked there wasn't because I had to take civics as an honors student in junior high.
They can start by reading What Can a Citizen Do?
Another day and more attempts to control ideas. The most egregious being from Missouri. "In Spring Branch, Texas, school board to have sole control over book ban process, removing parents, teachers, librarians" (emphasis mine)
n a 4-3 vote Monday night, the board decided that the first two levels in the process of challenging library materials would be temporarily suspended for the remainder of the school year. The decision means parents, teachers and librarians are excluded from weighing in.
Now, residents will go directly to the board with grievances about books they want under review.
Chris Earnest, board president, said during the meeting that the proposal originated to help administration officials with the influx of book challenges by the board reviewing lower-level books that are quick and easy.
But the administration later suggested that the school board take over all of the book challenges from all grade levels.
While explaining the background to the board, Earnest said the root of the decision would come down to “whether it be those lower-level books like we originally thought of, or as the administration has suggested to us, that we take every single one of them and deal with them as we can lay out a schedule to do so.”
Superintendent Jennifer Blaine said district administrators asked the board for assistance on the reviews during a discussion following a closed session.
She said: "My No. 1 responsibility is to make sure our students are educated at the highest levels in a safe and secure environment.” she said. “But I cannot and will not ask my entire academic staff, principals of campuses, teachers, librarians and anybody else that has to serve on one of these committees out of instructional time to hear book challenges.”
Before the board's vote, more than 20 Spring Branch residents spoke in either support of or opposition to the proposal."
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news...
This is the most outrageous, inappropriate action I've seen yet!"MO lawmakers move to strip public library funding in retaliation over book ban lawsuit
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/polit...
"Missouri House gives initial approval to $45.6 billion state budget that defunds libraries"
https://www.kcur.org/politics-electio...
Missouri lawmakers late Thursday evening moved to strip state funding from public libraries in retaliation for a lawsuit challenging a new state law that bans certain materials in school libraries. The proposal, approved close to midnight by the House Budget Committee, would cut the entire $4.5 million in state aid that libraries were slated to get next year. The proposed library cut, along with other changes to the state’s roughly $50 billion budget, will now head to the full Missouri House. “They are seeking to overturn that law that was unanimously supported by the House,” said state Rep. Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican and chair of the committee who proposed the cut. “I don’t think we should subsidize that.” Smith’s cut was in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, on behalf of the Missouri Library Association and Missouri Association of School Librarians, challenging a state law passed last year that bans sexually explicit material from schools. The suit argues the law infringes on students’ First Amendment rights. The Missouri Library Association and the ACLU of Missouri on Thursday pushed back on Smith’s claim that the state was subsidizing the lawsuit, telling The Star that the ACLU was representing both library groups pro bono. “Our rural libraries rely the most heavily on this funding to serve their communities, and they will be crippled by this drastic budget cut,” the library association said in a statement Thursday.
Tom Bastian, a spokesperson for the ACLU of Missouri, in a statement Thursday said the budget cut would punish Missouri library patrons, calling it “abhorrent.” “If the members of the committee are concerned about preserving taxpayer funds, they should stop enacting laws they know do not meet constitutional muster, not burden local governments in a misguided effort to silence organizations who object to the legislature’s overreach,” the statement said. State Rep. Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican, commended Smith for the cut earlier this week, saying it sent a message that lawmakers were unhappy with the lawsuit. “Shame on libraries for doing what they’re doing,” he said. State Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, said the budget cut would hurt people who use public libraries as a vital resource, including to apply for jobs. “By cutting this funding, we’re literally tying the hands of one of the most important resources in our communities,” she said.
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/polit...
"The lawsuit seeks to overturn a state law passed last session that bans sexually explicit material from schools and has resulted in school districts pulling books from their shelves.
“I don't think we should subsidize that effort, so we're going to take out the funding,” Smith said.
Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis, sought to restore that funding on Tuesday.
“I don't think it's appropriate for us to defund state aid to public libraries, because we're mad that libraries are suing to question what turned into a book ban passed by this state,” Merideth said."
https://www.kcur.org/politics-electio...
Another community defunding libraries is Madisonville, Louisiana "Madisonville father of four steps up to defend libraries amid proposed bans, reshelving
Jonathan Varnado, a 41-year-old father of four from Madisonville, had not planned to speak at a recent St. Tammany Parish Library Board of Control meeting — it was only the second meeting he'd attended since learning of efforts by some parish residents to restrict some library material.
But the lifelong library patron, who found respite in books even during a combat deployment in Iraq, says he felt compelled to speak up.
He pointed to his T-shirt, which pictured a book he had loved as a child, "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." That book is too intense for his younger children, Varnado told the board, "but as a parent, I get to make the decision....I don't want that decision to be made for me."
Varnado grew up in rural St. Helena Parish, where he visited the lone library frequently, a practice that's continued wherever he's lived. He takes his 8- and 9-year sons on regular library visits that are considered a treat. "I don't want them to see books as broccoli," he said.
He uses the Madisonville branch as a work space on Fridays when classes aren't held at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he teaches criminal justice.
The St. Tammany Library Alliance is a group to oppose the narrative of you know what "obscene" materials available to young children in the library.
https://www.nola.com/news/northshore/...
Opinions on book bans: As 'culture wars' hit Louisiana libraries, parents share their beliefs
Staff report Mar 31, 2023 Updated 2 hrs ago
Proposed book bans and re-shelving pushes have increased at libraries across Louisiana. Some say it's how "culture wars" are playing out in many places nationwide.
Parents have weighed in on the debate with some showing support for the changes while others say they are "horrified" by the discussions.
https://www.nola.com/news/opinions-on...
More follow-up stories at the bottom
And in Michigan, parents want "obscene" books removed from school libraries, say district policy is 'dead end'"Chippewa Valley Schools (CVS) has been embroiled in controversy for months, as parents allege titles in several of its libraries contain profanity or (view spoiler) Parents have used CVS school board meetings to request that any "obscene" books be removed.
In response to the concerns, CVS unveiled an online opt-out form, where parents can request that their child’s access to certain library materials be restricted. However, some feel the efforts are still not enough.
Some told the board that the opt-out process is only creating further obstacles for parents, as it is "impossible" for them to know the entire contents of a school library.
One mother agreed with that stance, saying that any arguments to remove the “obscene” books are coming from “a place of privilege.” However, father Louis Miles told the board that the issue of age-appropriateness is being ignored.
"Parents say CVS leadership has stressed the need to keep all books available in order to protect the district’s population of “vulnerable” students."
For a library book to be selected, CVS says it must be considered age-appropriate for "the grade and interest level" at which it will be used. The district forms committees based on a case-by-case basis to review any challenged titles, however, the decision to remove a book ultimately rests with the superintendent."
https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/pa...
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It really isn't impossible to know the entire contents of a school library. Check subject headings! Check review sites and then check the library catalog to see if the library has those books ... OR.... trust your own kids to read what they like and want!
Florida has hit a new low. Their newest parental rights in education bill does, among other things, require libraries pull books from shelves within five days if someone objects to the content. Someone. Anyone. 1 person. "The bill, FL HB1069 (23R), would broaden the state’s prohibition on teaching about sexual identity and gender orientation from kindergarten through third grade to pre-K through eighth grade."
"HB 1069 also adds to legislation passed by Republicans last year to increase transparency about what books are available to students.
The bill aims to expand Florida law to require that books facing objections for being pornographic, harmful to minors, or describe or depict sexual activity must be pulled within five days and remain out of circulation for the duration of the challenge.
It also expands school board jurisdiction to classroom libraries. The bill would allow a parent who disagrees with a district’s ruling on a book challenge to appeal the state education commissioner to appoint a special magistrate to hear the dispute."
"With the 77-35 vote that saw House Democrats in opposition, the legislation is on the cusp of passing the Legislature but is awaiting a final committee hearing in the Senate. Two Republicans — State Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera (R-Coral Gables) and Rep. Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) — crossed party lines and voted against the bill.
“For those who think our schools should be some sort of social justice experiment, I challenge you this: I don’t agree with any of it, but when 100 percent of our children are proficient in reading, and 100 percent of our children are proficient in math, then there is time for all of this silliness,” said state Rep. Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay). “You want to know what hurts children? It’s the fact that they can’t read, it’s the fact that they can’t do math.”
"Democrats argue that the bill is too vague and could lead to parents challenging a large number of books that would then be kept off the shelves. They pointed to challenges to media that have played out across the state such as the Ruby Bridges movie being called out by a parent in Pinellas County, where it remains unavailable to other students in the district."
"The Senate parental rights bill, FL SB1320 (23R), is slated for a second and final hearing before the chamber’s Fiscal Policy committee, although no date has been set as of yet."
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03...
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)- For months, State Superintendent Ryan Walters has claimed [obscene books are] running rampant through Oklahoma schools, but the State Department of Education’s spokesman refused to provide News 4 with a list specifying which schools had [such content] on their shelves.After the March 23 State Department of Education Board meeting, Supt. Walters was asked what schools in particular are carrying pornography on their shelves.
“I think if it’s in one school library, if it’s in one classroom, it’s too much,” he replied. “What I’m telling you is we’re getting this on a weekly basis of examples of those type of books. I just rolled out a few that we could pick fairly quickly, so it’s hard to tell, but one is too many.”
News 4 requested a list of information from the State Department of Education (OSDE) on Sunday.
We wanted to know what specific schools have been found in violation, who the teachers are facing disciplinary action for having such books in their classrooms, and what districts are potentially facing a downgrade in accreditation for allowing the books to be present.
An OSDE spokesperson, Justin Holcomb then called News 4 with a response Wednesday morning.
He explained over the phone inappropriate reading material had been found in Oklahoma City and Tulsa Public Schools.
Holcomb added Superintendent Walters’ administration has found several books children should not be allowed to read while in school.
News 4 asked that information be sent via email for quoting purposes.
Holcomb proceeded to say he thought a phone conversation would be suffice, but that he’d send a written statement to fulfill the request.
“The books mentioned were found throughout Oklahoma, primarily in Tulsa Public Schools. The introduced rule will make it to where parents get to decide which books are allowed in school,” said Holcomb via text.
News 4 hopped back on a call with Holcomb to ask why a list of specific schools were not provided.
Holcomb said OSDE didn’t want to rehash the past and “drag them through the mud” since everything had already been handled.
He claims the books have since been turned over to OSDE.
He did provide News 4 with a few other districts including Oklahoma City, Owasso, Bixby, and Stillwater.
Holcomb then suggested News 4 do their own research to find the answers to our questions since what we were looking for has already been “riddled” through the press.
He added it would be a “waste of taxpayer dollars” for him to do a deep dive into News 4’s request.
Holcomb suggested News 4 also research the information online because it was publicly available.
He sent News 4 an article from July 2022 that was written by a Tulsa news station not affiliated with KFOR.
News 4 is unable to cite information found by a non-affiliated media outlet and Holcomb was made aware.
Even then, the news article did not present specific schools in violation, just school districts.
The request was ultimately not fulfilled after going back and forth with Holcomb."
News 4 reached out to the five school districts in question of recently having inappropriate materials within their schools and received a response from four of them.
An Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) representative said they have never received a formal complaint from OSDE while Supt. Walters has been in office.
There was a complaint made by Supt. Walters on Twitter when a right-wing profile made claims of a book called Let’s Talk About It being offered in the OKC school district.
“This book that has been allowed in the Oklahoma City Public Schools that was uncovered by Libs of TikTok [a right wing propaganda story hour] called Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Humanis grossly inappropriate for our kids,” Supt. Walters started the video off with.
OKCPS told KFOR the book in question was available to students from January 2022 to May 2022.
The book was removed last August during former State Supt. Joy Hofmeister’s time in office.
An internal OKCPS audit was done which resulted in the book being removed.
The screenshot that circulated around social media showing OKCPS had the book on shelves was from a digital catalogue.
The OKCPS representative said it did pop up in the catalogue, but it wasn’t offered to students at the time.
When the book was available, there was only one copy in one school library.
That one copy was checked out once by an 18-year-old student, according to OKCPS.
The school district said they have yet to see a “banned book” list from the OSDE.
OKCPS also told News 4 Supt. Walters has only ever been in one of their schools since taking office.
It wasn’t to review their books, but rather to read one to a group of Heronville Elementary students on March 2.
Stillwater Public Schools has never had to review a book until this school year, according to the district.
They said they have received a number of complaints, but so far, only one has been “valid.”
The book in question was called 17 Guides To Sex In Our Body . The book was only offered in the middle school parent section.
The book was meant to act as a resource to parents who needed to brush up on their anatomy when going over those topics with their children.
SPS said that book hasn’t been on their shelves in years though. It was showing up on their digital catalogue, but it was not available.
SPS also told KFOR Supt. Walters has not visited their district since taking office nor has he or the OSDE spoken with any of their administrative staff.
They have also not been provided with a “banned books” list.
As soon as one comes out, SPS said they’re more than happy to comply, but right now there isn’t such a list that exists so they’re not sure which books are deemed “inappropriate” in the state’s eyes.
News 4 also spoke with Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller.
He admitted two of their books, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl plus 13 Reasons Why were reviewed after receiving a patron complaint.
After a thorough investigation, the school district voted to keep these books on their shelves.
There’s one copy of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl . There are two copies of Thirteen Reasons Why.
Since the books have been made available, no one has checked out either.
13 Reasons Why is also only offered to their high schoolers.
Supt. Miller said he never received a formal complaint from OSDE about either book.
He told KFOR this was solely an internal investigation. There was no direction or guidance provided by the OSDE.
Supt. Miller said their school district is being forced to walk a thin line on reading materials because of the recent conversations had at the OSDE.
He added there are students in his districts, ages 18 and 19 who are enrolled in AP classes that contain content suitable for adults.
Those books, including the two that were reviewed by a Review Committee have been “re-coated” as mature.
That means those books labeled “mature” can only be checked out by a student 18 years or older.
Anyone younger must have parental consent to check out those books.
Supt. Miller also said BPS parents have access to their district’s full catalogue of reading materials and have the ability to control the reading materials their student can view.
Unfortunately, Supt. Miller said that tool has yet to be used.
News 4 asked Supt. Miller about the claims of p___ n their shelves to which he stated they have never allowed those types of books in.
Their libraries are actively reviewing any and all books that come through their system.
BPS wants to make sure they’re meeting “community standards.”
The double edged sword to that: Supt. Miller said they don’t want to leave out parts of the community just because it doesn’t meet standards.
Supt. Miller told KFOR Supt. Walters hasn’t been to their district so far.
Since Supt. Walters was sworn into office, Supt. Miller said there has been no communication from the OSDE to their school district and the “support has lessened since his arrival.”
Supt. Miller went on to say Critical Race Theory doesn’t exist and p___ in schools doesn’t exist.
“[Supt. Walters] is creating an issue that doesn’t exist,” Supt. Miller said.
News 4 spoke with a Tulsa Public Schools Media Relations representative who said she was thrown off by KFOR’s inquiry into the situation because OSDE hasn’t made them aware of any recent complaints.
She said Supt. Walters visited their school district once while he was campaigning for office, but has not been been by since becoming State Superintendent.
All four school districts tell News 4 there hasn’t been a list provided explaining which books cannot be available."
https://kfor.com/news/local/osde-clai...
Weeding out one story that surely is an April Fool's Day joke, I do wish the rest of these were tricks. Judy Blume has the most buzzworthy quotes against censorship, picked up by major media outlets! There is some good news. A federal judge in Oklahoma temporarily struck down the drag ban, stating it infringes on First Amendment rights and if they're going to protect kids by banning "obscene" stuff, do it within the Constitutional law. Yes this law would have shut down many, many theater productions including Shakespeare, troops with actors playing women (vice versa?).
More good news from Texas of all places.
Llano County ordered to return removed books to its library system by federal court
In a civil court case against Llano County, a federal court partially granted a preliminary injunction, ordering the return of books previously removed from the county’s library system.
According to court documents, the county must also update the library system’s searchable catalog to reflect that the books were available for checkout and keep them from removing any more books.
On Oct. 28, a lawsuit brought by Llano County residents was brought against their county government and library system in connection to “removed” books at the public libraries.
https://www.kxan.com/llano-county/lla...
It also says books from OverDrive are a moot point because OD is shutting down to begin with.
Just how bad is it in Texas? The great Texan novel Lonesome Dove would be banned under the new law. Fans of the novel are not pleased. It's very much an adult book so I don't know if it's in schools. Maybe high school?"Texas lawmakers’ attempts to ban school library books deemed inappropriate for kids spur confusion — and concerns
Patterson told members of the House Public Education Committee that the aim of his bill is simple: If a book has sexually explicit content, it has no home on any bookshelf in any of Texas’ nearly 9,000 K-12 campuses.
To many of those who would be affected by the bill, the legislation is anything but simple.
Legal experts, librarians and some parents have raised concerns that the bill’s language is vague and broad enough to ensnare books that are not inappropriate. They worry those titles’ absences from shelves could restrict the learning and growth of students whose experiences may not be reflected in the books that would remain.
Among other things, House Bill 900 — deemed a priority of Speaker Dade Phelan — would require a mandatory school library standard, ratings by book vendors before they sell them to schools and banning some books that portray sexual conduct, as well as parental consent to access library materials that include sexual content that is allowed under the bill. The Public Education Committee advanced the bill Wednesday, the same day a Senate bill that limits school library books was debated in a committee meeting in the upper chamber.
Proponents of such measures say schools are infested with inappropriate books that deal with matters that are better discussed at home — if at all. Opponents fear the books that will end up being targeted will be those that explore race; sexual orientation and gender identity; and unique, traumatic experiences that a student may not be comfortable discussing but could read about in a book. Other bills would make it easier to charge municipal librarians with crimes for allow."
"“There’s a lot of ways that these bills that are plainly aimed at attacking LGBTQ+ youth, and educators are going to sweep much broader,” said Paige Duggins-Clay, a legal analyst at the Intercultural Development Research Association, a San Antonio education nonprofit. “Just the fact that we are debating these issues and debating the humanity and the dignity of queer youth is causing a lot of harm.”
Patterson did not respond to interview requests sent via email, but denied such characterizations.
“This is not a fight about silencing minority voices and this is not an argument about race or gender, or religion or political ideology,” Patterson said at the beginning of the hearing. “There is one common denominator in the books that we’re addressing with this bill."
Under HB 900, any entity that sells books to schools in the state will have to give every title that has references or depictions of sex one of two designations (view spoiler)
The bill defines (view spoiler)
Vendors will not be able to sell to districts or to open-enrollment charters any books they deem to have “sexually explicit material.” Students wanting to check out “sexually relevant” material would have to get parental approval.
And by September, vendors will have to retroactively give every book they’ve sold to school districts in the past one of those two labels. The same list will be required to be submitted annually for books sold during the preceding year.
The rating requirement and its deadline will “create a state of chaos” that will hinder business in the state and limit the quantity of material that will be going into school libraries, said Shirley Robinson, executive director of the Texas Library Association.
Vendors range from independent local shops to big-time companies and stores like Amazon or Walmart, Robinson said.
“We’re all trying to get at the same thing, which is to make sure that librarians and parents are partnering together for the best interest of our students,” she said. “Where it starts to get really difficult is in some of the specific requirements of these bills that do not take into consideration how broad the state of Texas is.”
School boards have typically set policy that helps support library standards at the district level, serving as a sort of first line of defense to help ensure that materials are appropriate, Robinson said. There are also policies that inform specific situations — such as when a book needs to be replaced — as well as policies for people to contest the availability of particular books.
“There are so many processes and policies that are in place that are in accordance with our state and federal statutes that already comply with the Texas penal code,” Robinson said, adding she and her colleagues “are trying to figure out” how HB 900 would change those.
But librarians and educators say the bill’s definitions could be interpreted any number of ways. And that some books that have literary, scientific or other value could be unfairly deemed sexually explicit.
Some librarians worry the legislation will keep important literature away from kids, which could exacerbate mental health issues the COVID-19 pandemic already worsened, they say. The disruptions caused by the pandemic — such as school closures and social isolation — affected students throughout the country. Without books that reflect their experiences, youth from marginalized communities may feel further isolated.
But some librarians fear speaking out because they’re scared of potential backlash.
“The concern here is that they are trying to go to a one-size-fits-all solution for libraries,” said Lucy Podmore of the Texas Association of School Librarians. “Librarians know that campus needs vary from campus to campus. "
"Current standards don’t require campuses to have certified librarians, individuals required to have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in library or information science, at least two years of classroom instruction experience and certification. HB 900 does not create a mandate that campus librarians be certified."
Senate Bill 13, a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, has some key differences from HB 900.
The bill would require that parents have access to a list of school library materials a child has obtained.
Districts will be required to notify parents who opt in each time their child obtains a library material from the school library, including the title, author and genre.
Similar to HB 900, the Senate pitch would create new library standards — although a bit differently. The state library commission would submit proposed standards to the education board for approval or disapproval.
The standards would prohibit material deemed harmful and require a commitment to limit children’s exposure to "obscene materials."
School systems would be required to adhere to the standards.
"Sen. Angela Paxton of McKinney, who filed the bill, said during a Senate committee hearing this week that an amended version of the legislation bars content that meets the Federal Communications Commission’s definition of indecent material, which has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Additionally, she said the new SB 13 would make it clear the bill’s standards for the library commission apply to school libraries, not all libraries. "
"It would also remove from state law the ability of teachers or librarians to argue that material has educational value as a way to defend themselves against criminal charges. That would pave the way for educators to be prosecuted when accused of selling, distributing or displaying materials deemed harmful to a minor.
Some people testifying before the Senate panel pushed back on that portion of the bill and expressed fear that subjective interpretations of what is and isn’t harmful could be applied unevenly and unfairly, with little recourse for librarians and teachers."
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/...
In Montgomery County, Maryland"parents will no longer be notified when LGBTQ+ books are read or discussed in schools across the county, communication they used to send out so parents could decide whether to keep their kids inside the classroom for it.
The change comes two months after Montgomery County Schools leaders added several new LGBTQ+ inclusive books to their pre-K through fifth grade curriculum, with one new book for each grade level.
Lindsey Smith with Moms for Liberty in Montgomery County says it makes parents like herself feel like they are left in the dark.
“Some of these kids are in kindergarten. My 3-year-old ... they want me to tell him what a drag queen is at three,” Smith said.
Students and families may not opt out of engaging with any instructional materials, other than 'Family Life and Human Sexuality Unit of Instruction' which is specifically permitted by Maryland law as such, teachers will not send home letters to inform families when inclusive books are read in the future.
Parent advocates we spoke with celebrated the move as “hugely impactful” for students and staff.
Local LGBTQ+ support groups like Pasha Ripley, the co-founder of Parasol Patrol, agree. She says having the books in the classroom makes a difference in representation.
“I think that if the parents expect to be informed when LGBTQ+ plus books are being read, I don't understand what the difference is with the other books they read with lots of crime like Tom Sawyer they don’t get notified when those are read so it seems very discriminatory.”
Parents like Smith say it’s simply unsettling for them.
“A lot of parents feel like they are being pushed out of their kids' schools when these books come out and you actually start reading them, a lot of us have concerns about these board members making decisions and a lot of parents feel like their voices have been silenced,” Smith said.
MCPS says they are not requiring teachers to use any of the new reading materials.
https://wjla.com/news/local/battle-bo...
Food for thought from a librarian:"You can't ban their books and read yours too"
https://www.statesman.com/story/news/...
"No matter who is browsing through a school or public library’s collection, they should find things they will like (that other people might hate), and they should find things they will hate (that other people might like). You cannot have one without the other because these are public libraries and libraries in public schools, and that means we provide materials for everyone in the public. Everyone ought to know that we are not the “private library only for a few people that only has things they like and nothing that will challenge their views or upset them.” There are people in our community who disagree with each other, and they all have a right to find what they are looking for through our collection.
As one of your cataloging librarians, I am no exception to this rule. I come across new books that I am glad to see enter our collection and I also come across some books that frankly make me want to throw them in the trash. As a matter of integrity and dedication to the institution I work for, however, I promise that those books don’t end up in the trash. They go on our shelves along with all the books I like because it is not my place to tell our guests that they shouldn’t read or watch something made available to the public if that is what they choose. The existence of books I dislike in our library guarantees a place in our collection for the books that I am happy to see, and that is something that everyone should realize applies to their favorite books, movies and other library resources. It’s all delicately balanced.
....
People who want to see books banned think they can have their cake and eat it too; they think they can ban the books they hate and have a “public” library filled only with books they like, and I’m telling them now that it won’t work out for them. If they manage to force a library to ban books they hate, what’s going to stop another group of people from calling their favorite things “obscene” and having those thrown out too? I mean, they’ve already said it was OK to ban books, so why not their books? Opinions are personal and no single viewpoint is universally shared, so it’s all or nothing.
Compromise the integrity of the public library and the whole structure collapses. Yes, there will be no books you hate, and there will be no books you like, because there will be no more library. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that there is a good portion of anti-education/anti-intellectual individuals in the book-banning crowd who think that that would be some kind of dream come true. But if that’s their sentiment, then I think we really need to ask ourselves if they should be the ones we listen to when we’re contemplating how to run a library."
David Ruano is the technical services and cataloging librarian at the Pflugerville Public Library.
Idaho is determined to censor books no matter what. The latest story I have is dated 3/31. Perhaps Kathryn has a newer one.BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho libraries and schools soon could be sued for allowing minors to obtain books, films and other media that depict sexual content deemed “harmful” for kids.
The Legislature on Friday advanced the bill to Gov. Brad Little. The bill would allow the guardian of a child who was able to obtain “harmful” material from a library to claim $2,500 in statutory damages for each instance the material was obtained.
Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise, said the bill would create age-appropriate separations between library material. It requires that library officials take “reasonable” steps to restrict access of material to minors to avoid liability, according to the legislation.
But opponents said the bill’s definition of “harmful” material is too broad. Parents should be responsible for ensuring their kids don’t access inappropriate content, they said, and the civil “bounty” could be abused.
Sen. Geoff Schroeder, R-Mountain Home, said Thursday that he supports the intent of the bill, but he opposed the enforcement mechanism.
“My objection to this bill is a $2,500 bounty for a private right of action for what could be construed as an innocent mistake by a librarian or library board,” Schroeder, a prosecuting attorney, told the full Senate.
“Harmful” material, according to the bill, (view spoiler)
“Sexual conduct” under the law includes (view spoiler)
Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, said there’s no pornography in libraries and highlighted the reference to “homosexuality” in content that would be considered “harmful.”
“There are people that are trying to ban books with LGBTQ themes,” Wintrow told the Senate. “I think that’s what this is about.”
"Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, who chairs the education committee, told the full House on Friday that a recent decision by the Ada County Board of Commissioners demonstrates how conflicts over books should be handled. The commissioners rejected a petition to dissolve the Meridian Library District by people who objected to books.
“Does this mean that the Ada County commissioners want pornography or harmful material in the hands of children? Absolutely not,” Yamamoto said Friday. “They listened to thousands of people. … And they said that one of the possible solutions was the May 16 Meridian library trustee election, and there you go.”
Gregory Taylor, a teacher librarian at Boise’s Hillsdale Junior High School, told the education committee that a librarian’s job is helping people find books relevant to their everyday lives.
“No one standard could ever match all needs and tastes,” Taylor told the committee. “Responsible parents know what their children are reading, and they take the time to make those thoughtful decisions about which books their kids read. Let other families make their own choices.”
After the House Education Committee rejected the first version of the bill, sponsors, Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, and Sen. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins, crafted new legislation that reduced the penalty.
Instead of going back to the education committee, House GOP leadership directed the new version to the House State Affairs Committee, where it overwhelmingly advanced."
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2023/03...
Librarians try to prevail in ArkansasHead of Central Arkansas Library System pledges to defend employees who might be charged under new state law
The Central Arkansas Library System's executive director has pledged that the library system will defend employees who might be charged under a new state law that exposes library personnel to criminal charges for "knowingly" distributing material found to be obscene.
Senate Bill 81, which Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed on Thursday, removes existing language from state law that shields library personnel as well as school employees from prosecution for disseminating obscene material.
A person who loans out from a public library material found to be obscene could be charged with a Class D felony under the law. The legislation also creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for knowingly furnishing a "harmful item" to a minor.
Additionally, it establishes parameters for citizens to challenge the appropriateness of material available to the public that is held in school or public libraries. Successful challenges could result in material being relocated to an area not accessible to minors.
Decisions not to relocate the challenged material could be appealed to a school district's board, in the case of a school library, or the governing body of a city or county, in the case of municipal or county libraries.
Central Arkansas Library System Executive Director Nate Coulter's statements came before Sanders' office announced on Friday that the governor had signed into law SB81 along with many other pieces of legislation the day before.
have assured our staff that it will be CALS' policy to defend any of our employees who might be subjected to charges arising out of this misguided law," he added.
Elaborating on SB81 at the library system's board meeting Thursday, Coulter said he was operating under the assumption that the legislation will go into effect and the library system will have to "operate under its burdens, and we'll do what we have to do to comply with it."
SB81 stipulates that each municipal and county library "shall have a written policy to establish guidelines for the selection, relocation, and retention of physical materials that are available to the public," and goes on to set requirements for the process of addressing challenged material.
....
Coulter on Thursday told library system board members that the organization's request for reconsideration policy and collection development policy will have to be reviewed because of the legislation.
Existing language in state law says school districts must have a written policy for addressing challenged material. SB81 tweaks that language and sets new requirements for the challenge process.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2...
Connecticut was founded by Puritans and it's showing."Westport parent wants Staples library books removed, altered
This Book Is Gay
Gender Queer: A Memoir
Flamer
The books have been in the Staples library for as little as under two years, for "Flamer" and nearly eight years, for "This Book is Gay."
Superintendent Thomas Scarice said this is the first time in over 20 years that this process has been implemented.
This process is called the Superintendent’s Review Committee, and Scarice said, "Per BOE Policy 1312.1, the committee is appointed by the superintendent and composed of faculty, administrators and three community members, all chosen by the superintendent, or by their position."
A chair is also named to facilitate the process that eventually leads to a final recommendation by Scarice, who is Elaine Whitney, former school board member.
Reports from Administrative Assistant Kimberly Strazza show "This Book is Gay" was checked out by five students at the Staples High School library prior to September 2022, and by three students after. "Gender Queer" was checked out by one student prior and by one after; and "Flamer" was checked out by one student prior and has not been checked out since.
The first meeting was held on March 22, where one parent, who is the complainant, and faculty members presented perspectives about the books, Scarice said. The committee also asked follow up questions.
"Since this is the first time I've experienced this process, or the first time in the district for over 20 years," Scarice said, "I can only speculate that the committee will either support the complainant's perspective and make a recommendation to me, or not support the complainant's perspective."
The parent noted they read all of "Flamer," most of "Gender Queer" and all of "This Book is Gay."
For "This Book is Gay," the parent said, "I object to this entire book."
The parent said the book reinforces stereotypes, and objected to depictions of sex. The parent said the book "does not belong in a school library."
For "Flamer," the parent complained the book also contains depictions of sex, and added they do not like its the use of a slur typically used for gay people.
In the complaint about "Gender Queer," the parent called the images and content "beyond graphic and belong in a [adult] magazine not a high school library."
The parent recommended in the complaint that each book be withdrawn from all students, except for "Flamer," which they added can be sent back to the appropriate department for reevaluation or only allow those 18 and older to read it.
In the "Flamer" complaint, the parent removing some content.
"I actually think if changes were made to this book ... the book would be good," the parent wrote.
According to a BOE document called "Recap of meeting with parent in fall," the parent requests having books removed, having pages removed and a private reading room.
The document outlines the reasons for each book being in the library based on BOE policy.
For "Gender Queer," it says the book reflects on "the variety of roles individuals may play within the context of society, irrespective of origin or sex."
It says it will "be appropriate to the varied interests, abilities, and levels of maturity of students in form, structure, and content" and "be based upon critical review in educational and professional journals, in current periodicals, or through professional analysis."
The reasons for "This Book is Gay" include "enrich and support the curriculum," "place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice" and "be based upon critical review in educational and professional journals, in current periodicals, or through professional analysis."
And for "Flamer," it says "place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice," "be appropriate to the varied interests, abilities, and levels of maturity of students in form, structure, and content" and "be based upon critical review in educational and professional journals, in current periodicals, or through professional analysis."
https://www.ctinsider.com/westport/ar...
e superintendent of a Virginia school district last week proposed a sweeping solution: Get rid of school libraries altogether.Mark Taylor, who leads the district in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, suggested at a school board meeting on March 27 that eliminating libraries would be a cost-reduction measure, saving $4.2 million in anticipation of $18 million in budget cuts.
But parents were out in force at the meeting, and many decried the idea of cutting libraries, saying they are essential and eliminating them would be a disservice to children. None of the parents or community members were officially allowed to speak at the public meeting, but some stood in the back of the room holding signs with slogans such as “We Deserve Better” and “Fund our Schools!”
And just hours after the raucous meeting, veteran board member Dawn Shelley accused Taylor of using money-saving as a ruse to get rid of books.
“I think they think, ‘Well, if we remove the libraries, then we don’t have to deal with those books,’” she said in an interview with Stateline.
Another school board member, Nicole Cole, in a separate interview, agreed that closing libraries “is a further attack on our educators, our teachers and it’s banning books.”
Neither Taylor, nor the chair of the school board, returned calls seeking comment. But Taylor told a local television reporter that libraries are not necessarily vital, since “whole libraries are available on an app” on kids’ cellphones. [Yes with FUNDING! E-books are CRAZY expensive for a license]
One day after the meeting, Taylor ruled that 14 books that had been challenged by a parent as inappropriate and containing “sexually explicit” content must be removed from school libraries and declared “surplus” property. The 14 include Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye,” as well as “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen, a historical novel set in a Great Depression circus, and “Nineteen Minutes,” by Jody Picoult, which is about a school shooting. Taylor suggested the books be donated to other libraries.
According to the local Free Lance-Star newspaper, all the books had been declared appropriate for high school ages after reviews by committees that included parents. But the parent making the initial complaint, the paper said, had appealed that decision."
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/e...
Mod
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — Idaho libraries and schools soon could be sued..."
So basically, Astrid Lindgren in the Swedish original and in German translation would be deemed as pornographic, as would many of the Astrid Lindgren films as they all how brief scenes of nudity.
But honestly, many Nativity scenes would also be deemed unacceptable since the infant Jesus is often depicted nude or almost nude.
So sick of puritanic garbage and how much power puritanicals have!! And what a laughing stock this has made America globally and also rightfully so!!
Mod
Mark Taylor, who leads the district in Spotsylvania County, Virginia,..."
Let's face it, keeping children illiterate and uneducated and only having books available to and for wealthy children will make a nice army of uncritical goose steppers.
Manybooks wrote: "So basically, Astrid Lindgren in the Swedish original and in German translation would be deemed as pornographic, as would many of the Astrid Lindgren films as they all how brief scenes of nudity.But honestly, many Nativity scenes would also be deemed unacceptable since the infant Jesus is often depicted nude or almost nude.
In Texas, yes. In other places? Maybe not because they do have a definition. I put it in spoilers so no one has to read it if they don't want to and so the ads don't go crazy and so hopefully I don't get kicked off GoodReads.
yes the movies with nudity are banned in the U.S.or given an R rating for nudity. The British Merchant Ivory period dramas tend to feature nudity and a few R-rated movies but definitely none for children.
And it's not just the U.S. that's fighting the fight. It's happening in Ireland with the same kind of special interest groups. I'm not entirely surprised given that Ireland is a predominately Catholic country. I was surprised they have special interest groups though.Story from the Irish Times:
Public library staff have been issued with instructions to secure buildings, alert gardaí and avoid commenting to the media in response to rising numbers of protesters seeking to remove “offensive” LGBTQ+ books aimed at young people.
In recent weeks, groups of campaigners have been entering libraries and targeting what they describe as inappropriate books aimed at 12- to 17-year-olds which, they say, promote “gender ideology and p____graphy”.
This Book Is Gay
What's the T? The Guide to All Things Trans and/or Nonbinary
Yay! You're Gay! Now What?: A Gay Boy's Guide to Life
Sex Ed: An Inclusive Teenage Guide to Sex and Relationships
Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher
Heartstopper: Volume One
Groups by the name of the Irish Education Alliance, Parents’ Rights Alliance and Lawyers for Justice claim these books and others violate child protection legislation. They have advised followers to enter public libraries, ask librarians to show them LGBTQ+ books in the aged 12-17 section and take photos of relevant books with “inappropriate” reading materials which “violate” the Children First Act (2015).
Library management recently informed staff in a memo that any child moving up an age group from, for example, child membership to the 12-14 category, requires signed consent from a parent which must be recorded on library IT systems.
In addition, any teenager who joins the library is automatically placed in the child membership (under 12) category in the absence of parental consent. The move has prompted disquiet among staff in some libraries who argue that the move is restricting young people’s choice of books and a response to recent protests by “thought police” campaigners.
“It’s like I went to bed in Dublin and woke up in Florida,” said one library staff member, who said they would not comply with the requirement. “Imagine the indignity of a teenager having to choose books from the child section.”
However, the LGMA said it has always been the case that parental consent is required for library membership for under 18s.
“The new library management IT system was recently updated and now includes functionality to reaffirm consent in line with age categories,” the spokeswoman said.
Campaigners, meanwhile, are advising followers to report “offending” books to local garda stations and to ask for reports to be filed. There have already been several cases lodged with Lusk, Balbriggan, Swords and Pearse Street stations in Dublin as well as in other areas."
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/ed...
Sound familiar?
The debate over parental rights in education i.e. anti-CRT and anti-sex ed has reached the southern corner of RI. In a rural, wealthy area, the Republican dominated school board appointed a new member when one left over the woman who got the second most votes. He's crusading for the usual rhetoric coming from the southern states. I'm not sure he's not a transplant but it sounds as if he's lived in RI awhile and been involved in education. The debate so far is whether this move is illegal and not about the education.
The story comes from the Providence Journal but is behind a paywall and I don't have my password handy at the moment. I really dislike the new owner. The paper was easier to access before Gannett bought it.
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I am actually not all that surprised, as Ireland is kind of a problematic outlier in Western Europe, with a lot of Catholic based book bans and special interest groups (but then again, there are also quite a number of special interest groups in Ireland fighting against this).
Manybooks wrote: "My question is this. How long before book banning states will make it illegal and punishable for "banned books" to even be in people's homes and that parents who use "banned books" with their child..."It probably already is. Illegal distribution of obscene material to a minor is punishable by a hefty fine in several states like Florida. Other states have proposed snitch hotlines where people can rat out law breakers. Booksellers have only been challenged once, in Virginia and B&N won that one. It's also been challenged but not in court at a Target. It depends on whether the law ONLY applies to libraries.
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Well, I would let MY children read what they want and if the GESTAPO wants to arrest me, I would both gladly go to jail and also keep calling everyone involved in my arrest loudly viscously GESTAPO over and over and over again and publicly.
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Glad there are repercussions, and that even a conservative college is cutting ties. And honestly, calling the statue of David controversial is silly and caters to the lowest of the low denominator, but I guess that is what Florida and other similar states are seemingly all about.
I remember when we were shown the statue of David in class (I think it might have been grade seven) on an overhead projector. Our teacher (at the demand of a new and very stodgy, anal principal) very reluctantly let parents know and three of my classmates unfortunately had to sit in the school library for that class (and thankfully said principal did not last and ended up being fired at the end of the year, to be replaced by someone much more intelligent and less willing to cater to parental puritanism). And just to say that the three students felt majorly embarrassed at being singled out and were also really furious at their parents about this (and so were we, including our teacher, who also handed out photocopied pictures of and notes on David for us, and enough of these so we could also share the handouts with the classmates being denied by their parents, which we very gladly and also rather overtly did).
Another funny story from my undergraduate days! I got an official note in my mailbox that I had a "problematic" postcard I needed to pick up in person. It was handed to me in an official and opaque envelope labeled something like "controversial" and when I opened the envelope and took out the postcard, lo and behold, it was basically a picture of the statue of David, but not the entire statue, mind you, just the nether regions, just David's phallus (which my brother had sent to me from Florence), pretty funny, and I did stick it up on my wall in residence.
SNL made fun of the David controversy on Saturday night.I have a couple of related stories from Oklahoma where politicians are pitted against parents! The Oklahoma Sec. of Ed., Ryan Walters, claims there's you know what in the school libraries, however, the school districts claim otherwise and haven't had any complaints from parents. Walters e-mailed other government officials images of the obscene content. None were happy. Ryan Walters has also made inflammatory comments about liberals and wants to ban all books about LGBTQ+ people.
.
"The images are from graphic novels similar to what Owasso parent Tim Reiland raised red flags about last fall.
"I lobbied my board and the superintendents to try and remove the [filth]" he said.
In his case, his daughter made him aware of graphic novel with graphic content that administrators vanquished.
"The assistant superintendent did remove the book and they reviewed all the graphic novels," he said.
But when Reiland tried to change school policy to make sure things like that didn't get on the shelves in the first place...
"What I received in response was, 'Well we talked to the lawyer, and it’s not illegal,' so they weren’t going to do anything about it," he said.
Reiland dug in his heels, and after a lengthy battle, eventually got the policy changed.
"They cannot bring in graphic novels that have graphic imagery inside of them," he said.
Meanwhile, back at the Capitol...
"The man has demonstrated that he’s unfit for this office and he should step down," said Rep. Waldron.
Sec. Walter's email was met with mixed reactions, with some none too pleased to get it.
"If it's [you know what] he’s the one who’s spreading it and it's his obsession with these fringe issues," said Rep. Waldron.
While others thought it clearly made a point.
"Without that email, you can say the word and it means a number of different things to a number of different people, but with that email, there is no doubt what he’s talking about," said Rep. McDugle.
Monday, Sec. Walters issued a press release saying that the materials sent out correspond with an updated administrative rule passed by the State Board of Education that prohibits pr0n material and sexualized content in school libraries.
"...my office and the parents of Oklahoma have put the far left on notice," said Walters.
But Tuesday, there was a press release from the Attorney General's Office stating that "Oklahoma law does not give the State Board of Education the ability to make administrative rules without proper direction from the state Legislature..."
https://ktul.com/news/local/oklahoma-...
After being prodded by a state lawmaker to produce evidence of his claims that there are obscene books in Oklahoma’s public schools, State Superintendent Ryan Walters alleged that he found four titles containing explicit materials in districts across the state.
In most cases, districts accused of having these books said the titles are not available in their schools.
In a Monday letter to state lawmakers, Walters also highlighted more than 100 additional books that he said don’t belong in schools. Most of the books center on LGBTQ issues.
Flamer
Owasso Public Schools spokesman Jordan Korphage said one copy of the book is available at the district’s high school after the title went through a review process earlier this year. The review was an “extensive” self-audit of about 6,300 titles on school library shelves, Korphage said.
Representatives for the Tulsa and Bixby districts said they don’t have copies of the book.
Gender Queer: A Memoir
A district spokeswoman said Tulsa schools don’t have the book.
“There are literally zero adults in our schools arguing against students having access to age-appropriate books,” TPS spokeswoman Emma Garrett Nelson said. “This is a debate Ryan Walters is having with himself.”
Lawn Boy (possibly still being confused with Lawn Boy)
Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human
Bye Bye Binary (board book)
Téo's Tutu (picture book)
Miss Rita, Mystery Reader (picture book)
Different Kinds of Fruit (middle grades)
He cites these books as “questionable” and says they have no place in schools. It’s not clear whether any of these titles can be found in Oklahoma public schools.
PLUS all 190 titles on this year’s Rainbow Book List, which is a collection of diverse stories about the LGBTQ youth experience. The list, compiled by a group affiliated with the American Library Association, includes books for preschoolers and young adults and kids of all ages in between.
Ryan doesn’t specify in which districts.
The State Board of Education recently approved agency rules that would allow the governing body to downgrade the accreditation status of schools found to have library materials deemed [obscene].
When reached Monday afternoon, officials with Bixby Public Schools said “Flamer” was voluntarily pulled from the district’s shelves a year ago by a library media specialist.
In addition to having policies outlining how to challenge a book’s inclusion in the district’s library collection, Superintendent Rob Miller said, the district’s librarians have labeled several titles such as “The Bluest Eye” as mature, requiring a student to either be at least 18 or enrolled in an Advanced Placement course in order to check them out.
Along with an ongoing internal review of titles that could be considered controversial or inappropriate for certain ages, Bixby Public Schools implemented an option last year to allow parents complete control over what titles their child may check out from a school library. However, to date, no parents have utilized that option, Miller said.
“To continue to beat the drum that we’re not doing anything is simply incorrect and unfair,” Miller said, noting that his district has not received any direct communication from the Oklahoma State Department of Education about book concerns. “Our media specialists have been tasked with and are embracing the responsibility to do this.”
Walters is seeking further review of these books, said State Department of Education spokesman Justin Holcomb. He does not specify that any of these titles are in public schools.
Walters’ letter comes as Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, has requested that the newly elected state superintendent come before the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education to answer lawmakers’ questions. McBride has said he’d like to see proof of Walters’ claims.
McBride said Monday that he still wants details on where the obscene books were found, what the State Department of Education did in response and how the districts in question handled the matter.
“(Walters) sent out the emails last week, but (he) has yet to have the name of a school that it was found in and what was the response of the school district,” McBride said. “Those are the things that we’re wanting to hear, not just, ‘Would you want this in Oklahoma schools?’ Well, heck no, we don’t want that in Oklahoma schools.”
https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/edu...
The OK Attorney General says "New Oklahoma rules on school library books, transgender students should be void"
Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the opinion Tuesday, contending no state agency has the authority to create administrative rules without the state Legislature first enacting a related law.
Rather than building upon a specific law the Legislature had passed, Walters developed his own rules to ban sexualized content from school libraries .... Schools that failed to comply risked a downgrade of their accreditation status.
Any rules a state agency creates without direction from the Legislature are unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
“Whether I agree or disagree with any particular rule in question is irrelevant if the Board does not have the proper authority to issue those rules,” Drummond said in a statement. “The Legislature is vested with policymaking authority. I will not allow any state agency, board or commission to usurp the Legislature’s rightful role, even if they have the best of intentions.”
State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said he disagrees with the attorney general's opinion.
Despite the attorney general appearing to warn such action might be unlawful, Walters said the legality of his rules weren't in question.
"We've had great conversation with the attorney general's office," Walters said after the board approved the rules on March 23. "We haven't seen any issues in the rules we've currently proposed or have been working on."
The rules drew considerable public interest. The state Education Department received hundreds of pages of public comment and hours of in-person remarks.
Some Oklahomans urged the state Board of Education to approve the rules to protect children's innocence and uphold parents' rights. Others cautioned against perceived book banning and warned transgender or nonbinary students could be put at risk if a school reported their gender identity without their consent.
Drummond issued the opinion after state Rep. Mark McBride questioned whether the state Board of Education would violate the Oklahoma Constitution by enacting administrative rules without prompting from the Legislature.
McBride, R-Moore, said on Monday he hopes Walters will meet with lawmakers to "answer some legitimate questions" on the attorney general's stance and school library book content.
https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/...
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Today's news from IndianaIndiana lawmakers debate bill allowing parents to challenge “obscene and harmful” library materials
House lawmakers are stripping language from one Senate bill to make it a vehicle for another
"Republican state lawmakers agreed with those concerns, saying the book removal process “isn’t working” at the local level and now warrants statewide legislative action to require “transparency between schools, libraries and communities.”
The proposal under consideration is similar to the controversial Senate Bill 12. Rather than hearing that measure, however, House lawmakers are seeking to insert provisions from the bill into another.
The House Education Committee on Wednesday completely stripped language in Senate Bill 380, which dealt with graduation rates.
Legislators are now weighing an amendment authored by Rep. Becky Cash, R-Zionsville, that seeks to create a new process for parents to request the removal of books alleged to be obscene or harmful to minors from school and public libraries.
Language in the proposal would also remove “educational purposes” as a reason that public schools and libraries could claim legal protection for sharing “harmful material” with underage students.
Democrats — along with school and library officials — pushed back, arguing the amendment could lead to the removal of anything one parent deems to be unsuitable over the objection of other parents.
“I don’t believe that removing materials protects children,” said Diane Rogers, librarian at Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center in Indianapolis and vice president of the Indiana Library Federation. “Giving children the opportunity to read about the world and think about that world is far safer than having them actually experience it in real life.”
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana additionally maintained that the amendment’s “vagueness” is “almost certainly meant to ban books about LGBTQ topics and sex education.”
The committee is expected to vote on the amendment and the bill on Monday. If approved, the legislation will move to the full House.
School and public libraries would need to have in place a process for parents and community members to request review of certain works that are alleged to be “obscene” or “harmful to minors,” according to Cash’s proposed amendment. Those terms have very specific definitions in state law though that a challenge would have to meet.
An appeals process must also be established if officials don’t agree with the request. A local prosecutor would then be able to consider legal action, but only after those internal school and district processes have been “exhausted.”
Each school or public library would additionally have to publish books in its collection online or make hardcopies available upon request.
Cash emphasized that her proposal does not require public libraries “to remove any books or materials,” but allows for the “re-shelving” of those works in different areas of the library. But it would require removal in school libraries.
“It’s a whole community — there’s not going to be one parent that gets to dictate to an entire school board … that’s just a false narrative,” said Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne. “But if enough parents were to come in and the board agrees, then it probably is obscene or sexual in nature enough for that community. I don’t know why that process is such a threat.”
Lawmakers aren’t seeking to change Indiana’s decades-old statutory definitions. Republicans held, too, that they aren’t seeking to have classic novels or books “where someone has two moms or two dads.”
But Democrats on the committee repeatedly pointed out that while some parents view certain materials as harmful or obscene, others might disagree.
Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, argued, too, that the proposed amendment could overburden the prosecutorial system and school boards, as well as threaten First Amendment rights.
“We are not the court of appeals for parents unhappy with school board decisions,” DeLaney said. “But if we were, we would want evidence: what parent, what school, what book, what process? Not this vague discontent."
Under the proposal, a local prosecutor could decide to charge a public librarian, or a K-12 staff member, for giving “harmful” material to minors, meaning they could not argue in court that the material has educational value.
They could still argue that the material has literary, artistic, political or scientific value as a whole, however.
If charged, a person could face a Level 6 felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 2.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Many school officials who testified Wednesday said their districts already have such processes in place. Cash maintained her amendment makes those options more visible.
Cash said “thousands of parents” have complained to her about obscene material in school libraries in Indiana. When asked to elaborate, she declined to name any specific school districts where problems persist.
Meanwhile, Rep. Jake Teshka, R-South Bend, refrained from giving examples of specific titles or authors of books that he — or his constituents — consider to be unacceptable for minors. But he did read a passage from a book that he considered prurient.
State law, though, requires the book or material “as a whole” to be harmful — not a few pages or passages.
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2...
Slightly good news from Idaho: Idaho Gov. Little vetoes 'harmful material' in libraries billIdaho Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday vetoed HB 314, a bill aimed at restricting minors from accessing 'harmful materials' in school and community libraries.
However, he only vetoed it because of financial reasons. He SUPPORTS the intent behind the bill.
"This legislation makes sweeping, blanket assumptions on materials that could be determined as 'harmful to minors' in a local library, and it will force one interpretation of that phrase onto all the patrons of the library," Little wrote. "Allowing any parent, regardless of intention, to collect $2,500 in automatic fines creates a library bound system that will only increase the costs local libraries incur, particularly rural libraries. These costs will be forced onto property taxpayers of Idaho or cause the libraries to close to minors altogether."
Read his whole letter
https://gov.idaho.gov/wp-content/uplo...
https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/loc...
I think these Mainers must be spending too much time in Florida.Maine School District Pulls Books From Libraries as Complaints Pile Up
"A school district in Maine approved a temporary removal of eight books from its libraries following complaints about inappropriate content. While the Bonny Eagle school district ordinarily keeps challenged books on shelves while a superintendent reviews them, the Maine School Administrative District board voted on Monday to bypass its own policy and immediately pull the eight titles, the Portland Press Herald reports.
Discussion of book reviews or removals was not initially on the agenda, but after hearing from public commenters, the board voted to discuss removing the books at the end of its meeting.
Although the temporary removal prevailed, board members shared a range of opinions about the removals, with some clearly concerned about the content and strongly in favor of removal, while others were concerned about bypassing their usual review policy.
“This is a safety issue and I have no problem pulling them for now to review them,” board member Lyndsey Atkinson said. "Just based on some of the graphic verbiage that was used whether it was out of context or not, I think it warrants a pivot for now to at least review them.”
Maine typically used to see about one book challenged every year, the Press Herald reports, but 2022 brought 12 challenges and there were eight in the first two months of 2023 alone.
Superintendent Clay Gleason doesn’t expect the review to be complete until the end of the school year.
Bonny Eagle is one of the largest school districts in the state, serving 3,500 students from Buxton, Hollis, Limington, Standish and Frye Island.
Choke (adult)
Juliet Takes a Breath
Lucky (adult memoir)
Push
The Art of Racing in the Rain (adult)
The Boy Toy (adult women's fiction)
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Later Gator (adult cozy mystery)
https://www.pressherald.com/2023/04/0...
Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Novel removed from school libraries in Indian River County.The news station said the book was removed from the Vero Beach High School library after a parent group expressed concerns.
“We think true history absolutely needs to be taught, the Holocaust, the Anne Frank diary,” Jennifer Pippin, who chairs the Indian River County chapter of Moms For Liberty, told WPTV.
Pippin argues that in one graphic scene in the book, Frank asks a friend to expose themselves to one another.
In another scene, Pippin said Frank walks along nude statues that are sexually explicit.
Dr. Kyra Schafte, the director of academic compliance and equity for the district told WPTV that the original “Diary of Anne Frank” is still in school libraries in Indian River County.
The news station reported that the graphic adaptation was removed after it was brought to the attention of the principal. It was later determined that some of its text did not contribute to the themes of Holocaust education.
“When districts address Holocaust education, it does so without denying or minimizing the events of Holocaust education,” Schafte told WPTV.
Pippin told the news station that her group has about 250 titles they plan to challenge in the future.
Indian River County recently created a “District Objection Committee.” It’s made up of a mixture of parents appointed by school board members and district employees.
The committee will meet if there are formal challenges for books to be removed district-wide."
https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/flo...
That scene was not all that objectionable and it wasn't genitals it was breasts. Nude statues I do not remember. I wrote a long list of content I thought they must find objectionable and statues was not on it.
Juno Dawson says America’s Teens Have Bigger Problems Than Her Bookcommentary from Rolling Stone magazine
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/...
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The news station said the book was removed from the Vero Beach High School library after..."
If I were teaching and anything about the Holocaust were banned, I would as a person of German origin simply ignore this and gladly go to jail, but I would not go to jail quietly and would raise so much of a ruckus and call the banners and the lawmakers Nazis and worse over and over and over again and also very much publicly. I would be their very worst nightmare.
But really, why are Jewish groups in the USA allowing this to happen and not fighting back with tooth and nail? These book banning Nazis must be stopped (and shamed).
Anne Frank's diary the graphic novel was banned based on sexual content. The Diary of Anne Frank and Holocaust education are still available in Indian River County as per the article. Whether that is true or not I can't say. The graphic novel is fine for high school where it was found. These people haven't n Mom's For Liberty have a serious problem in regards to their obsession with nudity being sexual and therefore bad even when that nudity is in art. Their preoccupation with the issue of obscene content is frankly disturbing. They're making things harder than needs be and thus bringing attention to these books they want to ban! What's the fastest way to get a teenager to do something? Forbid it.
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So for Moms for Liberty a newly born infant is immediately pornographic since he or she comes into the world naked.
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https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4...
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Out of the Blue (other topics)The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink (other topics)
My Rainbow (other topics)
Butt or Face? Volume 3: Super Gross Butts (other topics)
The Day the Books Disappeared (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jodi Picoult (other topics)Sarah J. Maas (other topics)
Ellen Hopkins (other topics)
Jodi Picoult (other topics)
Scott Stuart (other topics)
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Orange County school board discusses book policy to meet state guidelines
Of course, nobody wants anything inappropriate in our classrooms. The question is, who gets to decide?" Karen Castor Dentel of the Orange County School Board said.
The state says books in the classroom and on library shelves have to be age-appropriate, have educational value and of course, have no pornography. Several Orange County School Board members say the latest effort including stringent oversight is throttling teachers.
"We are fearful of the DOE. And what a sorry place to be that we can't trust the agency that's supposed to be looking out for us,” Castor Dentel said.
"We're making it so difficult to have those aspirational and inspirational leaders in our classrooms,” Pam Gould with the Orange County School Board said.
As the discussion went on, one board member supported the effort to scrutinize classroom content.
"Where a teacher selects something she felt it was OK, but it's pushing one view instead of allowing two views to be shown,” school board member Alicia Farrant said.
Guiding the district through the effort is Superintendent Maria Vazquez.
"I want to make sure our teachers are making decisions with the appropriate information, so they don't face sanctions on their license,” Vazquez said.
There will be another work session in a week. The rules will be up for a vote in early May.
https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-...