Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
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Discussion of censorship, equity, and other concerns.
The bad news:COLUMBUS, Ind. — A group protesting “inappropriate” books in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. libraries took over the public comment section of Monday night’s school board meeting, taking full advantage of a new policy that allows the public to talk about any subject, whether or not it is on the agenda.
About 70 people attended Monday’s board meeting, with nearly 20 speaking during the time for public comment. Roughly half of these individuals offered their opinions on library materials, with some calling for the removal of “inappropriate” books and others pushing back against this request.
[The usual arguments ensued]
censors:
[b]Megan Johnson[/b] citing mental health of youth
[b]Eric Grow, who ran for the school board’s District 4 seat [/b]but was defeated by Dale Nowlin.
Grow has repeatedly expressed concerns about inappropriate materials in school libraries during the time for public comment at school board meetings and has been vocal about the subject on social media, creating a spreadsheet of books that he considers “problematic” and which BCSC school libraries, if any, contain copies of these titles.
“I’m a BCSC parent, I help run the ‘Grow Strong Schools’ community group and I’m here with the Bartholomew County chapter of Parents Rights in Education,” he said at Monday’s meeting. “Concerns of inappropriate content in our school libraries were brought to this body starting nearly two years ago. Parents came together and started combing catalogues. Examples were brought to these meetings, sent in emails, had in conversations, but the issue was never addressed by the board or admin(istration). We’ve since been compiling a running list of books with reviews, ratings and locations within BCSC libraries.”
Some of the books on the list are “fine,” he said, but others are “so bad it’s abusive for an institution with authority to put them in front of kids.”
In addition to the usual pr0n argument, he also has problems with diverse books
Grow’s booklist spreadsheet also features categories such as activism, “controversial cultural, political, social, historical or racial commentary,” “controversial/inflammatory religious commentary,” “alternate gender, sexual ideologies, dysmorphic,” social-emotional learning, critical race theory, diversity, equity and inclusion, and racism.
He added that the group has noticed that inappropriate books have been “disappearing from school catalogs.”
“While we are happy to see some of them go, this raises more foundational concerns,” Grow said. “Concerns of transparency and candor. Many questions immediately pop up that our community should know. What books were in our libraries, and why were they taken out? What criteria is being used to make the decision? Why is this being done quietly without addressing the issue?”
He asked for the matter to be addressed through community discussions with the board, with all sides being heard.
https://www.therepublic.com/2023/08/0...
However, other speakers argued that content that is viewed as objectionable by some should still be available to students, as it may be beneficial for those who feel alone or have been through difficult experiences that they need help navigating.
“Parents will sometimes disagree on what’s appropriate and what’s not, so the books that are there matter less than how the people, how the children in the school feel, how welcomed they feel, how seen they are,” said Jason Tracy. “One of the hard things that I’m sure every parent has gone through is the realization that you can’t protect your children from the things in the world that you see as awful. And for some parents, those are words, and sometimes it’s hate and it’s disdain for who someone really is.”
He added, “I am thankful that my daughters went to BCSC. I am thankful that one of my daughters, who is gay, survived. And I am thankful for the people I see here that are going to make sure that the kids that are there now also survive.”
Another individual spoke from the direct perspective of a gay, genderqueer person.
“I didn’t choose this for myself,” said Payton Emberton. “I didn’t want this for myself for a long time. I grew up in a strict, evangelical environment, and I hated myself for so long. And it wasn’t until I got exposure to media talking about queer issues that I finally began the process of accepting myself for who I am. Media talking about queer issues and the issues of our people is healing. We deserve to know our history and what our ancestors went through to get us to this point, the courage they had.”
During the time for board input and review at the meeting’s end, Nowlin said he would like to hear from individuals who’ve attempted to use BCSC’s official process for “getting inappropriate materials out of school libraries.”
“Let us know if that policy works,” he said.
Board member Logan Schulz said that he believes a different forum for public input would help address individuals’ concerns and added that he would like to form a committee on library materials to “establish a line.”
“I would encourage this board to form either the board itself, or a committee therein, to establish a public subcommittee that would allow for the book topic to be brought and any other legislation-induced topics that will come effective Jan. 1 so that that could be the outlet and means in which the public gets its feedback in and feels like it’s heard, has that conversation,” he said. “We can decide, what is appropriate? I have four children in elementary school; I would be very concerned if they heard some of the words that were here today.”
Schulz added that some books might be harmless for some students but harmful to others who already bear trauma.
Board member Jason Major also spoke of a desire for more means of engagement with the public on this topic.
https://www.therepublic.com/2023/08/0...
SHOCKING news from Carroll County, MarylandCCPS removes the 53 books under review from circulation in the media centers until the entire reconsideration process is complete
https://carrollcountyobserver.com/202...
Also shockingHempfield, Penn. school board approves new policy giving the public ability to review books before they hit the library shelves.
The amendment, which passed in a 7-1 vote, requires librarians to submit a public list of requested books for a 30-day review. That will allow residents to raise concerns about any of the proposed books.
School Director Jeanne Smith voted against the proposal; Diane Ciabattoni was absent.
The latest changes to the district’s policy around the selection of resource materials include defining sexual content as “offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate s---ual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated,” as well as ethnic intimidation.
It also lays out the additional step for librarians.
“In selecting resource materials for high school students, the selectors shall seek to prioritize the selection of materials which do not contain other s__ized content, even though permitted, such as visual depictions of nudity,” the proposed revisions read.
Once librarians post the list of requested books for 30-day review — which will be publicized as a report not requiring board action — district residents are able to comment. After a review period, the assistant superintendent would share whether those books would be purchased.
In addition to making changes to the district’s book policy, school directors also tweaked the policy for re-evaluating resource materials. That policy will now require that students placed on the reconsideration committee be 18 years old and have parent permission.
Censors who believe in this nonsense
Paula Cinti, vice chair of the Westmoreland County chapter of Mom’s For Liberty,
Suzanne Ward agreed, suggesting that having certain books in the school library makes her question sending her child to the district in future years.
Melissa Moyer suggested that school directors need to put aside their personal beliefs and politics.
“The false narratives must stop,” Ms. Moyer said. “No one is putting pornography or obscene material in the high school library. Our staff and librarians devote countless hours to carefully choose books from professional reviews and resources with relevancy and age appropriateness.”
Others stressed that one group of parents should not have the power to dictate what all students read by prohibiting certain books from being in school libraries.
Sakura Okuri touted the importance of children having access to different types of literature. He stressed that books are mirrors and windows that start conversations.
“If we really want to strive for the excellence of all the students … we need to give them every opportunity to have these discussions, every opportunity to see these books, to see these mirrors and to see these windows,” Mr. Okuri said. “By stifling that, what we’re doing is stifling their voices.”
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/we...
Beavercreek, OhioThere is a policy at Beavercreek City Schools that allows parents to request books be removed from the school library.
Beavercreek Superintendent Paul Otten told News Center 7′s Taylor Robertson that the policy, known as ‘challenging a book’ has been in place since before he came to the district eight years ago. However, Otten explained the process isn’t common.
“I want to say probably about five years ago was the last time that we remember seeing this process and then we had it again last year with a few books,” Otten said.
The intention of the policy is to allow parents to request books they do not want their children reading to be removed from the library.
“Then what the school district does as a result of that, is we have a team of educators that really take the time to look at the book, evaluate the book,” Otten said
According to Otten, the team is then able to recommend three different options to replace the book with to the school board. If the school board feels that the books aren’t appropriate, then they can remove them.
“Another option is we’re going to leave the book there, but a parent has the right to say, ‘my child shouldn’t be able to check out this book’ and we give them that opportunity,” Otten said.
https://www.whio.com/news/local/chall...
In North CarolinaI-SS board discusses revising policies, procedures for removing library books
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education on Monday continued to discuss the policy and procedures for removing school library books and other instructional materials. The discussion wasn’t on Monday’s agenda, but it was added after the board voted to include it as a discussion-only item.
Board policy No. 3200 addresses the selection of materials and board policy No. 3210 outlines the parental inspection of and objection to instructional materials.
“Parents have a right under federal law to inspect all instructional materials which will be used in connection with any survey, analysis or evaluation as part of any applicable federally funded programs,” according to Policy 3210.
Furthermore, it states that parents can submit an objection to the principal in writing. Next, the principal may establish a committee to review the objection.
“While input from the community may be sought, the board believes professional educators are in the best position to determine whether a particular instructional material is appropriate for the age and maturity of the students and for the subject matter being taught.”
“If the principal or the committee determines that any material violates constitutional or other legal rights of the parent or student, the principal or the committee shall either remove the material from instructional use or accommodate the particular student and parent.”
Vice Chair Mike Kubiniec, who led the discussion, said that nobody on the board knows what the district’s procedures are for having a book removed.
“We’ve never seen a copy. What we would like to see is a copy of those procedures,” he said. “There’s a misunderstanding and lack of trust (with the public).”
Kubiniec mentioned that the board approves school policies, but that Superintendent Jeff James is the one that implements procedures for the policies that they set in place.
If a parent challenges a book, then that parent would be informed of the procedures, the superintendent said. James told the board that he will give them a written copy of the procedures since it is a hot button topic in regards to the books and objectionable materials.
The superintendent recommended keeping the procedure that is in place. He said that the district needs a process that is not biased as reflected in earlier court cases.
James said that the district developed a robust policy, with the assistance of the school board attorney, to comply with federal and state laws.
He also pointed out that some books are abridged and don’t contain some of the graphic material contained in an original book. One safeguard, James mentioned, is simply asking the school for a report of what their child has checked out.
Board member Doug Knight voiced support to leave the procedure for removing books alone.
“Why change a policy? Why change a test – if you don’t have a metric that shows if it’s working?” Knight said.
He also added, “If we are going to take away a book, we better have a deliberate process that uses as much as we can the community standard—not just me and my friends as the standard.”
https://www.iredellfreenews.com/news-...
Hillsborough, Florida‘You can’t just come in and take any books’: Hillsborough County School Board discusses book removal
School Board Chair Nadia Combs said there has to be a well-defined process and a review before a book can be removed from schools.
“I think the most important thing is, there has to be a process,” Combs said. “You can’t just come in and take any books.”
Jessica Vaugh, a board member, is concerned some people are trying to have books removed based on their own convictions.
“If you just don’t want it for your one child, that’s parenting, but if you are trying to limit the access for other people’s children without a robust understanding of what they want, to me that is censorship,” she said.
Another board member, Stacy Hahn, is concerned that some books with offensive content are still available to students.
https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsboroug...
In Brainerd, MinnesotaSchool officials to review challenged library book
An ad hoc committee of school officials and community members will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, to discuss a challenge to Empire of Storms" by Sarah J. Maas.
Ten members of the public who spoke during the public forum portion of the School Board meeting Monday, Aug. 14, spoke either about books or in general terms about what they say is a declining academic environment in the district.
Nine of the speakers either spoke in favor of removing library books, criticized the board’s review policy or told the board current actions are driving families out of the district. Several quoted Biblical passages to make their point.
Rachel Kohn said books with explicit content have no business being in middle school libraries.
“School districts concerned with children will take it upon themselves to remove these books without a complicated review procedure involving nine people from the district having to spend meetings regarding it,” Kohn said.
Parent Nick Hillman said books that feature rape and other sexual crimes will teach children how to commit those crimes.
“‘So let’s just go ahead and set them up for failure’ should maybe be the School Board’s goal because it’s exactly the road that it’s heading down,” Hillman said.
Parent Mike Stanek, however, took to the microphone Monday to express his gratitude for the School Board members and ask people to let officials do their job.
“I’ve had conversations with each one of these people sitting in front of me, and I can tell you that they all care for kids; they do. Some may not agree, and that’s good,” Stanek said. “... The people sitting in front of us right now are doing the work that they were asked to do.”
Stanek said the review policy in place does what it is meant to do, as he used it himself in 2021 when he questioned materials used to teach his second grader.
“You know what I did? I looked at the policy, and I said, ‘Oh wait, I have to write a letter requesting challenging of this book.’ That’s what I did. Guess what happened? I got an email,” Stanek said, noting he was told the books would be laid out for him and others with concerns.
“Were there things that we found that we didn’t agree with? Yup. Guess what we did? We challenged them. Some stayed, some went,” he said. “... The policy is there. Follow the policy. Let it happen
Policy 606, which deals with resource selection and re-evaluation procedures, states anyone can express concerns about the appropriateness of resources in the ISD 181 educational program. An expression of concern is defined as a verbal or written statement of opposition to a resource requesting that it be excluded, included or restricted.
The school official who receives the concern is instructed to listen, discuss possible solutions and then direct the concern to the building principal or designee if it is unresolved. This is the point Murtha said many concerns are at right now.
Within three regular school days of receiving the concern, the principal or designee should inform the complainant of the re-evaluation of resources policy and arrange a meeting to discuss the concern further.
If the concern is not resolved, then the complainant can fill out a re-evaluation of the resource form and must submit it to the district within 30 days. The form is then submitted to the director of teaching and learning, who will organize and schedule a meeting to begin the review process.
The re-evaluation committee reviewing the material should be made up of the director teaching and learning, a District Advisory Committee member, a student and no fewer than five additional people form the following groups: school media specialists, teachers, administrators, content specialists and an expert in the field. The committee is then instructed to meet at least twice to review the material and make recommendations for change as needed.
Board members voted 4-2 in July to uphold the policy, with Randy Heidmann and DJ Dondelinger opposed, wanting to review the policy.
Heidmann, who sits on the board’s policy committee with Board Chair Kevin Boyles, told the board Monday, though, that the Minnesota State School Board Association plans to write a separate policy with policy 606 relating specifically to library books. The board’s current policy ecompasses all school materials, whether they be used in the curriculum or just available in the library. While there is no timeline for state officials to come up with the additional policy, board members hope it will help simplify the review process and make it easier to understand.
https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news...
In Brainerd, MinnesotaSchool officials to review challenged library book
An ad hoc committee of school officials and community members will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, to discuss a challenge to Empire of Storms" by Sarah J. Maas.
Ten members of the public who spoke during the public forum portion of the School Board meeting Monday, Aug. 14, spoke either about books or in general terms about what they say is a declining academic environment in the district.
Nine of the speakers either spoke in favor of removing library books, criticized the board’s review policy or told the board current actions are driving families out of the district. Several quoted Biblical passages to make their point.
Rachel Kohn said books with explicit content have no business being in middle school libraries.
“School districts concerned with children will take it upon themselves to remove these books without a complicated review procedure involving nine people from the district having to spend meetings regarding it,” Kohn said.
Parent Nick Hillman said books that feature rape and other sexual crimes will teach children how to commit those crimes.
“‘So let’s just go ahead and set them up for failure’ should maybe be the School Board’s goal because it’s exactly the road that it’s heading down,” Hillman said.
Parent Mike Stanek, however, took to the microphone Monday to express his gratitude for the School Board members and ask people to let officials do their job.
“I’ve had conversations with each one of these people sitting in front of me, and I can tell you that they all care for kids; they do. Some may not agree, and that’s good,” Stanek said. “... The people sitting in front of us right now are doing the work that they were asked to do.”
Stanek said the review policy in place does what it is meant to do, as he used it himself in 2021 when he questioned materials used to teach his second grader.
“You know what I did? I looked at the policy, and I said, ‘Oh wait, I have to write a letter requesting challenging of this book.’ That’s what I did. Guess what happened? I got an email,” Stanek said, noting he was told the books would be laid out for him and others with concerns.
“Were there things that we found that we didn’t agree with? Yup. Guess what we did? We challenged them. Some stayed, some went,” he said. “... The policy is there. Follow the policy. Let it happen
Policy 606, which deals with resource selection and re-evaluation procedures, states anyone can express concerns about the appropriateness of resources in the ISD 181 educational program. An expression of concern is defined as a verbal or written statement of opposition to a resource requesting that it be excluded, included or restricted.
The school official who receives the concern is instructed to listen, discuss possible solutions and then direct the concern to the building principal or designee if it is unresolved. This is the point Murtha said many concerns are at right now.
Within three regular school days of receiving the concern, the principal or designee should inform the complainant of the re-evaluation of resources policy and arrange a meeting to discuss the concern further.
If the concern is not resolved, then the complainant can fill out a re-evaluation of the resource form and must submit it to the district within 30 days. The form is then submitted to the director of teaching and learning, who will organize and schedule a meeting to begin the review process.
The re-evaluation committee reviewing the material should be made up of the director teaching and learning, a District Advisory Committee member, a student and no fewer than five additional people form the following groups: school media specialists, teachers, administrators, content specialists and an expert in the field. The committee is then instructed to meet at least twice to review the material and make recommendations for change as needed.
Board members voted 4-2 in July to uphold the policy, with Randy Heidmann and DJ Dondelinger opposed, wanting to review the policy.
Heidmann, who sits on the board’s policy committee with Board Chair Kevin Boyles, told the board Monday, though, that the Minnesota State School Board Association plans to write a separate policy with policy 606 relating specifically to library books. The board’s current policy ecompasses all school materials, whether they be used in the curriculum or just available in the library. While there is no timeline for state officials to come up with the additional policy, board members hope it will help simplify the review process and make it easier to understand.
https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news...
Mod
The Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are obviously huge and freaking hypocrites. Heather Stefanson said in the past that she was against book banning but expanding so called parental rights sounds exactly like DeSantis and company.
Yahoo news is picking up these stories! A Wyoming Public Library Board Fired Its Head Librarian After She Refused To Remove Books
In late July, the board of the Campbell County Public Library system in Wyoming voted 4 to 1 to terminate Terri Lesley, its longtime director.
For two years, the library board, with the assistance of conservative community members, had been trying to get Lesley to remove books they alleged were sexually inappropriate for minors. But Lesley refused — for fear of getting sued and her strong belief that a diverse collection of books is integral to a successful library.
“I believe the community is harmed by not having access to a wide variety of information,” Lesley said.
Lesley is adamant that LGBTQ-themed books belong in the library — even if certain parents don’t want their children reading them. She was also worried about being sued for violating the First Amendment which prohibits government-sanctioned censorship.
“They’ve manufactured this crisis,” she told HuffPost, speaking about the board in the aftermath of her dismissal. “Their claims have no substance and lack any credible support.”
In the spring of 2021, community members came to the library to complain about alleged sexual content in books in the teen and kid section, targeting titles like, “How Do You Make a Baby” by Anna Fiske, and “Doing It” by Hannah Witton. That June, a teen volunteer wrote a Pride Month blog post for the library celebrating LGBTQ authors, and some people living in Gillette pushed back, including a local official who said it was “harmful” to the community. And when the library hired Mikayla Oz, a children’s magician who happened to be transgender, for an event a month later, all hell broke loose.
“The magician was simply a well-renowned magician who was hired for a summer program,” said a long-time library staffer, who requested to remain anonymous due to fear of reprisal. “[Her] gender identity was irrelevant. But that was the match that lit the tinder box.”
How Do You Make a Baby?
Doing It!: Let's Talk About Sex
Oz received violent threats online and over the phone after her gender identity was posted on social media, according to The Associated Press. The threats prompted Oz to cancel her show; the library also posted on its Facebook page that Oz’s performance wouldn’t go on as planned because of safety concerns for staff and attendees.
From there, it spiraled into a familiar refrain among conservative culture warriors: The library, supposedly, was providing inappropriate materials to children ― and the librarians were the ones to blame.
Cue the usual arguments PLUS
One woman said during public comment that her personal survey of the teen section indicated that 60% of the books were “witchcraft,” while another said that the library had become an “indoctrination center.”
In October 2022, the library board voted to cut ties with the American Library Association.
According to Wyoming Public Media, after two years of chaotic library board meetings and input from the Liberty Council, a Florida-based right-wing organization, the library adopted a new collection development policy in June. The new policy no longer mentions the Freedom to Read or the Library Bill of Rights, ALA’s anti-censorship policies, but it does have a new section on removing “explicit” material in order to protect children.
Satisfied with the new policy, board members began asking Lesley to remove books they said were “egregious” and violated the new policy.
Lesley wouldn’t budge. “Public libraries are for everyone,” she said. “Our collection should serve all citizens of the community.”
But board members were dead set on removing books.
“I think they should go through and find the egregious stuff, they know what it is, they put it there,” said board member Sage Bear in response to Lesley’s concerns at the regular board meeting in late July.
Lesley was fired a few days later, after refusing to resign.
“They’ve done their best to steamroll me,” Lesley said about the library board. “They’ve seen me more as a pawn in this bigger game. It feels like they have a political agenda.”
Large swaths of the community were unhappy with Lesley’s removal.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/wyoming-pu...
Hamilton East library president, who pushed book review policy, is removed from boardNoblesville school board members voted Tuesday to appoint an English teacher to the Hamilton East Public Library Board, removing a fellow school board member from the library board: the president who was behind a push to remove "inappropriate" books from young adult sections.
Bill Kenley, an English teacher at Noblesville High School, will replace current HEPL Board President Laura Alerding. The school board's vote was 3-2, with Alerding and fellow board member Misti Ray dissenting.
Alerding was one of the library board members who voted for and helped develop the board’s collection development policy, a review of all youth books to move "inappropriate" content to the two library locations' adult sections.
"These appointments have traditionally been filled by educators, and it is unusual for a board member to hold one of the seats," Marnie Cooke, the district's spokeswoman, wrote in a statement. "While our board members typically take turns rotating committee assignments amongst themselves, a majority of the board has decided that this appointment should return to past practice and be held by an educator."
Alerding was appointed to the HEPL board after being elected to the school board in 2020. Her removal threatens the board's conservative majority, which last year saw four seats turn over, providing the votes to make changes to the library's shelving policy.
It's not clear what Kenley's position on the policy is. He's a 25-year teacher and a graduate of Noblesville High School.
HEPL board member Tiffanie Ditlevson declined to comment Tuesday evening on the failure to reappoint Alerding.
Ray Maddalone, who was appointed to the HEPL board last year, said he is sad to see Alerding go, emphasizing Alerding's oversight of the library director's review.
"I thought she was a perfect board member for the library board and I'm just disappointed," Maddalone said.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/l...
A new group, ‘Parenting with Pride’ aims to take on conservative Moms for Liberty in Florida schoolsAbout a dozen parents and supporters gathered outside Orange County Public Schools’ downtown headquarters to announce the start of Parenting with Pride, a new program launched by Equality Florida to combat conservative organizations like Moms for Liberty, which have pushed for new laws and policies that progressive activists fear have already begun to harm LGBTQ and minority students.
“This is what Florida families really look like,” said Brandon Wolf, spokesperson for Equality Florida as he gestured to the group of people with varying races, gender identities, sexualities and immigration statuses who had come to support the new initiative. “For years, parents and families just like the ones behind me have been under assault. … Politicians have waged war on these families turning their classrooms into political battlefields and descending school districts into utter chaos. But today marks a turning of the tide. Today marks a rise in the resistance against that agenda.”
A handful of parents spoke for the more than 1,000 families Wolf said have already joined the group across the state. They called for protection for LGBTQ students and teachers, an end to book bans and for the implementation of school curriculums that teach history truthfully.
Cassandra Brown, another parent and founder of nonprofit All About the Ballots, said parents should not have to fight for “common sense” policies like gun control, Medicaid expansion, rent control and adequate education, all of which could improve the lives of children and their families.
“Our state’s focus should be less on deciding which books our children are allowed to read and more on protecting these vital freedoms and providing these essential services for all of our children,” she said.
With Tuesday morning’s launch, Wolf said Parenting with Pride will work to keep families across the state informed of new laws, teach them about their rights, provide advocacy training and connect families harmed by new policies to organizations that can help.
The group also called on more parents across the state who believe in progressive policies in schools to not only join them but to attend school board meetings, support their local Parent-Teacher Associations, write to their legislators and vote for new representatives who will support their mission.
https://news.yahoo.com/parenting-prid...
Also fighting back in Florida are teachers, students, community members and Teamsters marched to Miami-Dade school board headquarters on Wednesday to protest Florida's recently enacted Black history standards in the statewide curriculum.Today's protest was organized by the Miami Center for Racial Justice, according to local ABC affiliate WPLG, and is also being attended by those affiliated with the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Marvin Dunn organized the protest, according to Deutsch. According to his profile on X, formerly Twitter, Dunn is a progressive Democrat and former naval officer-turned-historian and author who has been published extensively for his study of African history.
"DeSantis is not the boss of us!" Dunn wrote on X on Tuesday. "Show up!"
He described the protest, which was scheduled to take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., as individuals "raising their hands against Florida's new slavery standards." They reportedly marched 10 blocks, beginning at Booker T. Washington High School to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools administration building.
https://www.newsweek.com/teachers-ang...
And of course all this book banning is having the opposite effect from what the censors intend.. maybe?Iowa library has uptick in banned books checkouts
When Urbandale schools announced its book removal list, the local library saw an uptick in people checking out banned books, library director Nicholas Janning tells Axios.
The library has almost all of the 65 books the school district has banned. Newer titles like "Gender Queer" and "Lawn Boy" are frequently checked out and sometimes have wait lists, Janning says.
Other metro libraries that Axios reached out to, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston and Waukee, say they haven't experienced recent upticks.
https://www.axios.com/local/des-moine...
Go Vermont Lt. governor! Books banned in other states fuel Vermont lieutenant governor’s reading tour
— On a recent Sunday afternoon, Vermont’s lieutenant governor was at a local library, reading a book about two male penguins to a crowd of nearly two dozen. This was not the first stop for Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman nor would it be the last.
″ These bans often target books that feature LGBTQ+ characters; talk about gender and sexuality; highlight racial disparities; or talk about difficult issues such as substance abuse and cases of police violence,” Zuckerman, a Democrat, said in a statement when he announced the tour in June. “Students, teachers, and curious minds should be able to access materials that spark critical thinking, cover difficult topics, and appeal to diverse interests without fear of government interference.”
While Vermont hasn’t “fallen victim” to the trends in some other states, Zuckerman said that does not mean that books have not been challenged in this state. He said individuals have run for school board seats with the idea of curriculum management in mind and topics around race, and gender and identity have been elevated at school board meetings in recent years.
He hopes the book reading tour will highlight what he sees as the value of representation, free speech, open dialogue and the exchange of ideas.
Zuckerman was joined by three Vermont authors, who each read segments from other banned books, Monster and Where the Wild Things Are
https://apnews.com/article/banned-boo...
H.G. Bissinger ‘Friday Night Lights’ author slams ‘absolutely tragic’ Iowa book banH.G. “Buzz” Bissinger, the author of the bestselling nonfiction sports book “Friday Night Lights,” expressed his frustration with an Iowa city banning the title from school libraries, saying in a new interview that U.S. book bans have become worthy of comparison to Nazi Germany.
“America is a wonderful, great country. And one of the reasons it’s a wonderful, great country is that people have the right to choose. This is not Nazi Germany. This [banning books] is similar, and I hate that comparison. It is similar to the book-burnings in Nazi Germany,” Bissinger told The Gazette.
In the interview with The Gazette, Bissinger said he doesn’t understand why his book, which was adapted into a popular 2004 movie and NBC drama series, was banned.
“This use of AI is ridiculous,” he said. “There’s no s-x at all. I’ve never depicted a s-x act. I don’t know what the [expletive] they’re talking about. I purposely stayed away from that.”
“My book is being falsely depicted,” the author added. “The tragedy is, this is a great book for kids. It is a great book for teenage males because they don’t like to read anything. But they devour this book, and I know because I’ve had over 30 years of emails telling me that.”
Bissinger said, “The idea that this book has been banned is totally against what our society is and should be, freedom of speech and the ability of kids to choose what they want to read. Absolutely tragic. Not just my book, but all the books they cited.”
Bissinger speculated that “Friday Night Lights” might come under fire because of its frank discussions of race and racism.
“There are now elements of our society who believe that it’s in their interest to shield kids and to shield readers from anything that puts a certain perspective on the United States,” he said. “So unless it’s totally glowing, unless the problems of this country are absolutely put under the rug and not acknowledged, it’s going to be banned.”
“Kids are supposed to learn. Not just learn the classics, but they’re supposed to learn about elements of our society. And by the way, the book is not all negative. The book does celebrate the beauty of high school football. And that’s part of the reason for the success of the book. It’s magical,” he added.
https://thehill.com/homenews/educatio...
These people will never be happy with anything!Level-funding of Prattville library infuriates book-challenging group
Even level-funding the library has upset members of Clean Up Prattville, the group challenging the inclusion of certain books.
hile the Autauga-Prattville Public Library is in the midst of an unprecedented book challenging campaign, Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie proposed a budget Wednesday that would level-fund the library.
The budget, posted to the city’s official website on Wednesday, includes $355,000 to the library, exactly the same as the current budget.
But even level-funding the library has upset members of Clean Up Prattville, the group challenging the inclusion of certain books in the children’s section that include gender ideology and LGBTQ representation, as well as books in the young adult section that contain some sexual content.
“The library continues to violate state law and basic human decency by providing children access to ....
There are 11 more books currently being reviewed by library staff as the group continues to challenge books. Those challenged titles have not yet been released, but the group appears to be trending toward challenging books in the young adult section of the library.
The group has been constantly appearing before the Prattville City Council and Autauga County Commission and has been consistent in warning officials that they should take action or face consequences at the ballot box.
Meanwhile, other residents, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, have urged officials not to honor the challenges.
This budget appears to be nothing more than business as usual for the city. Gillespie told library board officials earlier this month that the city could “find the money” to provide more shelving if needed to appropriately separate books meant for 16- to 18-year-olds from books meant for 12- to 15-year-olds. At this point, however, the library board has not publicly asked for shelving or announced a decision to create a whole new section in the library. Instead, the library board discussed updating the “teen” label already in use to mean “appropriate for readers 16-18” while the “tween” label would be used for books appropriate for children ages 12-15.
The group has said at times that it is not seeking to defund the library, but at other times members have clearly called for a partial or complete defunding of the library, or a hold on funding until the library changes policies to meet the group’s demands.
But any reduction in local funding for the library could lead to a loss of state aid, which is Library Director Andrew Foster confirmed at the August board meeting is almost entirely responsible for purchasing new materials.
The state funding is controlled by the Alabama Public Library Service, which requires member libraries to be level-funded by the local government or risk losing some or all of its state funding, depending on how much the local funding is reduced.
Although the group’s concerns are hyper-focused in Prattville, the group is working to expand statewide, and has caught the attention of ALGOP Chairman John Wahl.
Wahl is also the District 5 board member overseeing the Alabama Public Library Service, and has joined the group in calling for the APLS to cut any ties to the American Library Association.
The MFLs are active in the county.
Conservative media has suggested state librarian Nancy Pack, head of the APLS, was involved in the Madison library’s temporary cancellation of the event as well as the Millbrook Library turning the event away after she spoke at the Prattville library board meeting of calling the two libraries to inquire about the events.
Pack has denied asking either library to cancel the events.
The conservative group Eagle Forum has also joined in, with a representative speaking at the Prattville library board meeting, and one woman supposedly representing a group of moms in Foley has brought complaints there, saying what she found int he library was “sick and disgusting.” The books being challenged there are also mostly LGBTQ-related.
Three state representatives were in tow at the APLS board meeting, all freshmen— Rick Rehm, R-Dothan; Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, and Bill Lamb, R-Tuscaloosa— foreshadowing a potential push in the statehouse in the 2024 session.
https://www.alreporter.com/2023/08/17...
And finally, an example of what happens when the state bans books! Ironic that in the 1950s, the U.S. waged war on Communism but if the extremists have their way, this is where the U.S. is headed:Hong Kong Seeks Public Help in Purging Library Books
An invitation from Hong Kong authorities for citizens to report public library books that “endanger national security” has sent chills through the port city, analysts and some residents say. Some worry authorities are adopting tactics similar to those used in China and during the Cultural Revolution, others say the move will only further harm the city’s already tarnished image as a place that’s no longer free.
No data was provided on how many books had been removed, but hundreds of titles are reported to have been gotten rid of according to Hong Kong’s Ming Pao newspaper, which has been tracking the purge.
In July, the government took the campaign one step further by inviting library users to help rid shelves of books violating the security law and setting up new channels for such reporting, including through emails and online or paper forms.
The law penalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with penalties as severe as life imprisonment.
Chen Daoyin, a political scientist formerly with the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law who now lives abroad, says the move shows how Hong Kong is learning from China.
China “recently passed an anti-spying law. It encourages children to report on parents; pedestrians, teachers, students and spouses to report on each other; and passengers to report on taxi drivers,” Chen said. “It’s going back to the Cultural Revolution days.”
“The government entities might go along with the policy, but individuals (who work there) might not cooperate, so that’s why they want people to report,” he told VOA in a telephone interview.
A search this week through catalogs on HKPL’s website found no results for works by some pro-democracy activists and lawmakers, works by a satirical cartoonist or books about Hong Kong’s anti-extradition law protests and only two results about the June 4, 1989, crackdown on demonstrators on Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
But bookshelves at one big library this reporter visited still contained books that could be considered by Beijing to be problematic as they promote political reform in China. They were placed in obscure places.
“It’s a weak people’s way of rebelling – by not abiding. Hong Kong people are used to freedoms, they will naturally not obey, albeit in small ways,” Chen said.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which runs Hong Kong’s 71 libraries and 12 others that are mobile, would not answer VOA’s questions on how many reports have been made by the public since the channels were set up.
It did provide a written response.
“Freedom of speech and publication is protected under the Basic Law [Hong Kong’s mini constitution] .. it is the Government’s duty and responsibility to safeguard national security and effectively prevent any act or activity endangering national security, as well as to promote positive values and desirable notions,” the response said.
“Therefore,” it continued, “the Government shall ensure that all public library materials are in full compliance with the laws of Hong Kong, not contrary to the interests of national security, and serve the interests of Hong Kong.”
Library patrons interviewed this week said they will not use the channels.
“Different people’s voices should be heard. Of course, some could be jarring noise to you, but that’s natural. Even in a jungle, you hear different voices. Crows might not sound nice, but even they need to yell. You can’t forbid it from talking,” she said.
A young man said he no longer goes to the library or even large bookstores for “sensitive books.” Instead, he gets them from small, independently run shops.
“This is of course not good. If you don’t have these books, then how can you say you’re a free society?” he asked.
He lamented that even cooking, travel and nonpolitical books written by democracy advocates have been removed. A look in the catalog, however, showed some such books were still there, suggesting the process of review may be fluid and ongoing.
A Hong Kong mother, rushing off with her child, said she was not worried that having fewer books in the library, meant her child would grow up not knowing history.
“Parents can supplement their children’s knowledge,” she said.
However, Chen, the political scientist, said the same knowledge gaps seen among mainlanders will likely occur in Hong Kong if the current trend continues.
“Hong Kong will become more mainlandized. … In the mainland, those born after 1990 don’t know about the 1989 protests in Tiananmen Square or the June 4 crackdown, in which hundreds and perhaps thousands of protesters were killed by troops. Hong Kong will definitely become like this,” he said.
https://www.voanews.com/a/hong-kong-s...
Manybooks wrote: "https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manito...The Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are obviously huge and freaking hypo..."
Yes they want you to think parental rights is a good thing but it leads to bad things like book bans. There are Democrats in my state that support parental rights in education.
"Felicita Ovadje doesn't have children, but she worries about the content of some of the books children have access to in schools. Ovadje wants schools to work collaboratively with parents to help raise their children."
She shouldn't have a say! I don't bother the school districts with my opinions on what books kids should read, I bother the Attorney General and the state senators and representatives.
That's not what they want! They don't want to co-parent with the school.
No time for specifics but you can read the news at this link. Plus interesting analysis on how Chat GPT identified explicit content (or not, actually).https://literaryactivism.substack.com...
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I certainly do at least partially blame gun ownership rah rah rah politicians and catering to and enabling and condoning homophobic hatred politicians like Ron deSantis and company for this. And I also hope that just because the despicable monster who shot Laura Ann Carlton is dead, there will be still be further investigations and consequences. Furthermore, the full name of the perpetrator needs to be made public and if he had any supporters and accomplices, their names as well.
But what is it with the USA in particular and that far too many clearly unhinged "people" seem to think that guns and violence are acceptable and that if I do not agree with someone I should somehow have the right to attack and even kill said someone.
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Lots going on this week and not much of it is good. I've been busy but I did read that devastating news in California. Most of the objectors to LGBTQ content cry about how it offends their Christian values. I don't see how it is Christian to kill someone.
Good news in Galway, New YorkGalway school board overwhelmingly votes against banning two books
The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives
Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience
The books are “The 57 Bus,” which has been part of Galway’s English curriculum for 10th grade and honors ninth grade, and “Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience,” which was assigned as summer reading for the first time this year for incoming ninth graders.
In each case, a separate person filed a complaint, saying the book wasn’t appropriate for the age level to which it was assigned. Students whose families objected to the books were allowed to read an alternative book, but in each case, the complainant wanted the book removed for everyone.
Galway district educators convened a curriculum review committee for each complaint. Those committees — made up of teachers and administrators — recommended rejecting the complaints. Then Superintendent Brita Donovan read the books and made the final decision. She also rejected the complaints.
Both complainants then appealed to the school board.
The teacher offered to allow the student related to the complainant to choose any other poetry anthology instead of “Ink Knows No Border,” Donovan said.
“If there are objections, our teachers will always give an alternative assignment,” she said. “We do have a way because we do honor our parents and their beliefs and we want to partner with our parents. So there are things in place.”
If the school board had voted to sustain the complaints, the books would have been no longer taught in the English class curriculum,
https://www.timesunion.com/education/...
Down in AlabamaThe Alabama Public Library Service Board voted earlier this month to request an opinion from Attorney General Steve Marshall’s Office, asking what authority the board has to regulate content in local libraries.
APLS Board Director Nancy Pack says that the request is being sent to the AG’s office Monday afternoon.
This stems from a group of Prattville parents who are concerned over certain books in the children’s section. That includes Hannah Rees, who has three children.
Group members asked the APLS Board at their Aug. 10 meeting to consider their concerns with content and cut ties with the American Library Association, saying overall, that organization doesn’t align with Alabama values.
“We’re hoping we can create new policies in Alabama that reflect protecting our children and the values of our community. It’s not about censorship, it’s not about book banning. We absolutely don’t want that,” Rees said.
APLS Board Director Nancy Pack says the board does not have any official ties with the American Library Association nor do they receive funding from them.
Pack said in a statement about the ongoing issue:
“Public Libraries strive for neutrality and providing equal access to reliable information with differing viewpoints. Censorship in libraries presents a complex challenge as we aim to uphold the freedom of thought and provide a diverse range of perspectives for Alabamians, while also respecting community values and sensitivities. Finding that right balance between ensuring access to information and addressing various concerns is a critical endeavor.”
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth also weighed in on the issue.
“It’s something we’re certainly going to look into,” Ainsworth said. “I’ve got twin boys, 13, and a daughter, 11, so as a parent, I think you got to be real careful what we expose children to.”
The APLS’s next Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 13 in Montgomery. Rees says the group plans to have parents from across the state attend.
https://www.wrbl.com/news/alabama-new...
Summary and update on South Florida, more official restricted lists. I.E. the dumbing down of education listshttps://www.miamiherald.com/news/loca...
In Lee County Florida School library book permission slip rule causing grumbles among parents
The Lee County district explained that anytime a child goes to the media center, an alert will pop up regardless of what they’re checking out.
Madison Myer is a college student who called the new rule censorship.
“Having to go through this just to read a book, especially if you’re 17 or 18 years old,” she said.
Lee County School Board member Armor Persons sees the new rule as a parent’s right.
“We’re giving the choice to the parent,” Persons said during a recent board meeting.
School board member Debbie Jordan explained that parents have always had the right to restrict certain books from their children.
“But now it flipped flopped. Now if you want your child to read, you must say I want them to be able to read,” Jordan said.
The majority of students find the required permission slip a nuisance.
“Every time I want to read a book, you just go read a book; you don’t have to bring it up to your family,” explained Madison Myer.
Many parents said it’s unnecessary.
School districts are also giving parents the choice to not allow their kids to check out any books at all.
If a parent doesn’t sign the form, Jordan said they will have limited access to what they can receive from the library.
https://nbc-2.com/news/2023/08/14/sch...
New law in Indiana shifts school library control to parentsThe Legislative act requires public and charter schools to keep a catalog of their library materials for public review. The statute is designed to keep harmful material out of school libaries.
Jasper State Senator Mark Messmer believes the new rule puts more power in the hands of parents. Messmer also feels the updated measure standardizes schools with private businesses in giving out what would be considered harmful material…
However, the new law does NOT apply to libraries outside of school buildings.
https://www.wzdm.com/2023/08/22/new-i...
Authors discuss how it feels to have their books banned in Floridahttps://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/20...
Back to AlabamaCity of Foley evaluating policies after concerns over library offerings for children and teens
Censor Stephanie Williams vs. librarian
Williams spoke to a librarian who told her children under 12 had to be accompanied by adults.
Williams followed up with a letter to the city asking for change. She suggested giving book ratings similar to the movie industry so parents would be aware of what their children were reading.
Library director John Jackson told 1819 News his concern is the constitutional rights of the library's visitors. He also said he believes the offerings in the Foley Library reflect people in the diverse community.
“The most common opposition to restricting access by minors (persons less than 18 years, or the age of majority) to sexually explicit material is that it violates their First Amendment or free speech rights,” Williams responded in the letter. “While this may withstand challenge as to adults, it is a specious argument on its face as to minors who are treated differently under the law. They do not possess the same rights and privileges afforded to adults. Minors, or children, cannot purchase or consume in public alcohol or cigarettes; they cannot operate a motor vehicle subject to local/state age restrictions; they cannot execute contracts or own certain classes of property or be sued; they cannot vote; they cannot consent to most medical treatment; they are treated differently in criminal matters.”
The City responded with a letter pointing out a policy requiring children 15 and younger to be accompanied by an adult to check out a book.
“The City of Foley and the Foley Public Library recognize the concerns that parents and other members of the public have about the intellectual growth of their children,” the letter read. “This includes concerns about the material being read by children and about the free access to information guaranteed to Americans. Some parents may want their children to have access to some of these books and others may not. It is the parent’s prerogative and duty to decide what material is suitable for their children at any given stage in their lives.”
The letter also stated that a policy of the Baldwin County Library Cooperative is to offer books with a variety of views.
“The City of Foley leadership wants to ensure the Foley Public Library is a safe place that provides information to all members of its diverse community,” the letter stated. “We do this by taking steps to continually empower all families to uphold their beliefs for their children.”
The policy also states, “The presence of material in the library must not be construed as a personal endorsement of their contents by any member of the staff, the Library Board, or the County Commission.”
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the City is evaluating policies.
https://1819news.com/news/item/city-o...
Over in Texas where they also want book ratings, Federal Judge Alan D. Albright heard the first round of oral arguments in Austin, Tex., on a motion to block HB 900, Texas’s controversial new book rating law. But with Texas attorneys filing a motion to dismiss the case just days earlier, on August 16, Albright said he would need more time before ruling on either motion. The judge has set a second hearing for August 28, adding that he would rule before the law is set to take effect on September 1.Bookstores vs. censors and Texas Law
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
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https://www.miamiherald.com/news/loca...
In Lee County ..."
You are going to get students having to resort to stealing books of their parents are intolerant or just forgetful, and I for one, would totally support this type of student behaviour (and frankly, if I were a student affected by such undemocratic overreaching, I would definitely consider thievery in order to get the books I want and need to read).
In Pennsylvania, ‘It’s a small number of people who are very loud’: Local libraries grapple with book challenges, bans"Coincidentally, there is often a spike in circulation of a book if it becomes controversial on a national or local level, said Tracy Trotter, director of the Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe.
When “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale” was banned by a Tennessee school board last year, Trotter noticed an increase in the number of patrons checking out the book.
The same jump in interest occurred at the Murrysville Community Library when Franklin Regional’s school board voted in March 2022 to continue using “Persepolis” in ninth grade classrooms. A parent raised concerns about the literature, a graphic novel that recounts the author’s experience growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.
Library Director Amy Riegner suspects the spike in circulation occurred because parents were curious about the book’s content and wanted to decide for themselves if it was worth banning.
Coronado agreed that curiosity plays a role in these spikes.
One patron challenged a selection of books included in the Ligonier Valley Library’s Pride Month display but later admitted they had not read them. The patron heard from the news or a friend that the books were controversial, Coronado said.
After Coronado explained why the library carried the books — citing that they were “award winners multiple times over” — the patron had a change of heart, Coronado said.
Although no parents challenged the availability of “Persepolis” at the Murrysville library, Riegner said book challenges at local school districts create a stressful situation for community libraries.
“We’re caught in the crossfire here, but we stick to our tenets,” Riegner said. “We live in a democratic society. We try to provide materials for all walks of life.”
Riegner acknowledged that patrons will inevitably disapprove of some content in the library.
“Some people may like (our book selections). Some people may not like them,” Riegner said. “We’re a public institution, so we will expect complaints from time to time.”
For Beth Mellor, listening to these complaints is essential.
“Our libraries are community-facing,” said Mellor, director of Oakmont Carnegie Library. “When you are dealing with children, it is so important that you know what’s going on and that you listen.”
The Oakmont library keeps a record of what types of content parents do not want their child to read, Mellor said. This prevents the child from checking out a book that goes against the parent’s wishes.
Oakmont Carnegie Library has seen five book challenges since Mellor became director in 2010. She said some patrons have found content in 1800s books that comes across as offensive today, but the majority of the complaints surround LGBTQ content.
Patrons who have challenged books have always respected the library’s assessment of the complaint, she added.
“We don’t force anyone to read anything, and we really try to reach a balanced collection,” Mellor said. “We do take input from the community on our collection.”
Challenges limited
From her experience with the Westmoreland Library Network, Andrews said the number of book challenges seen across the county is outweighed by local school districts and libraries in other parts of the state.
“I don’t believe we are seeing the volume that other libraries in the nation are experiencing,” Andrews said.
She added that book challenges are not inherently wrong as long as patrons and staff follow the library’s reconsideration policy.
Library directors from the Murrysville Community Library, the Scottdale Public Library, the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe, the Norwin Public Library, the Vandergrift Public Library, the Leechburg Public Library and the Peoples Library in New Kensington said they have had few or no official book challenges in recent years.
The Leechburg Public Library has not experienced any challenges in recent years and does not have a need for a reconsideration policy, said director Patti Kalsnick.
“If people don’t want to read (certain books), they won’t read them,” she said.
A ban on book bans?
State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-East Norriton, a lifelong "bookworm," is discouraged by the number of book bans taking place in school districts and libraries across the state.
"It is unconstitutional to infringe upon the type of information that is publicly available to anybody who frequents their library," Cappelletti said. "It is an abomination to me that we are such an important cornerstone — as a state, as a commonwealth — in the history of America, including being the birthplace of the country's first library, (but) we would then attempt to censor materials in those places."
Cappelletti proposed legislation that would require libraries to adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which states that books should not be removed from the library for "partisan or doctrinal disapproval."
It also would require libraries to develop a written statement that prohibits them from banning books or other materials.
Libraries that do not comply with the legislation would be denied state funding, according to the proposed legislation, which is based on a similar bill signed in June in Illinois, the first state to outlaw book banning.
Cappelletti hopes to finish the legislation language by the time the Senate resumes its session in September. She has gathered seven co-sponsors since announcing the proposal July 10.
https://triblive.com/local/westmorela...
And Georgia proves that parents don't want books banned. CUMMING, Ga. (AP) — When Allison Strickland urged a suburban Atlanta school board in June to remove four books from school libraries, she was following a path cleared by Georgia’s Republican lawmakers.
But after the bitterly debated Georgia law took effect Jan. 1, The Associated Press found few book challengers are using it.
One key element restraining complaints: The law only allows parents of current students to challenge books.
But while fights are ongoing in Forsyth County, where Strickland was protesting, at least 15 other large Georgia districts surveyed by AP said they have received no demands to remove books under the law.
Georgia conservatives last year aimed to ease book challenges. But lawmakers knew a parents-only restriction would also limit them.
“We are not going to turn this bill into a weapon for every taxpayer to harass the school system,” said state Rep. James Burchett, a Republican from Waycross, during a 2022 hearing.
Still, some books are disappearing. Kasey Meehan, PEN America’s Freedom to Read director, said some schools are removing books even before parents ask. That’s happened in Forsyth County, where documents obtained by AP show a librarian “weeded” two books Strickland was protesting from another high school’s library, just before they were challenged there.
https://news.yahoo.com/georgia-made-e...
SALINE COUNTY, Ark. – The Saline County Quorum Court voted to pass an amendment Monday night that hands over the library board’s authority to the county judge.The move is said to be one that could put library director Patty Hector’s job on the chopping block.
KARK 4 News has reported on the story for months, ever since a state law passed this legislative session dealing with books said to be obscene in the kid’s section of libraries.
The law changes the state code for endangering the welfare of a minor to include s__ual material and removes protection for library workers. The county also passed a resolution to ensure books found to be obscene for children are relocated away from the children’s section, into another part of the library.
Saline County Library Alliance Organizer Bailey Morgan said this is a political attack on Hector because she has fought to protect books focused on things like LGBTQ+ and race in place for children.
The ordinance has been supported by Saline County Republicans for months now. Mary Lewis told KARK 4 News the goal is to protect children, and Hector is one of the first concerns in the process of ensuring that protection.
“She has not followed the directions of the quorum court,” Lewis said, “She needs to shape up or ship out.”
Both sides of the issue believe the other has political motives. Morgan said there is no question whether the issue is political.
“Where I think the line really drawn is, is it partisan?” he said.
Lewis said Hector’s fight to protect these books over children shows where her priority is.
“I think it is her own political agenda to carry on the agenda and disseminate the liberal left agenda to the rest of the country… to small town USA,” Lewis said.
One major concern for everyone against the ordinance was that the amendment would just be the first step in eventually defunding the library.
One quorum court member who supported the measure Monday night went on the record and promised everyone he would oppose both that and banning books if that is ever up for a decision.
https://www.kark.com/news/politics/sa...
Rutherford County, Tenn. Library System considers banning two booksMany school districts across Middle Tennessee have worked to remove numerous books and graphic novels from libraries, but now the debate is going beyond schools.
“Could you imagine a policeman coming through the library and somebody saying, ‘I want this out of our library?'” said Bill Shacklett. “Is that what we want?”
“There are some implications for when we try to flesh this out; there might be some unintended consequences,” he said to councilmembers. “What do we expect the public to do?”
Despite those concerns, councilmembers voted to approve the new ordinance that “promotes public decency, maintains family-friendly environments in public places, and protects against harm to minors,” according to the first page of the document.
Now, that ordinance is having an impact on the Rutherford County Library System.
On Monday, Aug. 28, the library board will consider withdrawing two books from shelves.
This Book Is Gay
Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/...
Ohio- Troy schools remove two books, keep seven after resident’s complaintBooks deal with sexual identity or gender identity; one was completely removed, another will only be at high schoo
The Troy City Schools are removing two books, one each from the high school and junior high school libraries, following a district committee review of a resident’s complaint about nine titles and explicit content.
The complaint was filed with the Board of Education at a June meeting by resident Bob Eyink. He listed nine books available at the Troy High School library, Troy Junior High School library and Van Cleve School sixth-grade building library.
“I want to thank the teachers and parents that make Troy schools great. Parents need to be aware of and involved in moral topics and activities that affect their children at school,” Eyink said in a statement he read to the school board. “I am submitting a ‘Request for Review’ of nine books in the high school, junior high and VanCleve libraries.”
The filing set into motion the district’s written policy for review of instructional materials. The process included the formation of a review committee that included seven teachers, two librarians, one principal and one central office staff member.
The policy requires the committee to include the following guidelines while reviewing the challenged materials:
* The appropriateness of the material for the age and maturity level of the students with whom it is being used;
* The accuracy of the material;
* The objectivity of the material;
* The use being made of the material.
The resident was notified of the decision earlier this month. An appeal is possible, but nothing had been filed as of Thursday, said Chris Piper, Troy schools superintendent.
He said this is the first challenge he has seen while at Troy schools and has not had challenges filed at any other district where he has worked.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local...
Unfortunately but unsurprising, Katherine Rinderle, the teacher who chose to read My Shadow Is Purple, has been fired.numerous media outlets are reporting on the story
Katy ISD (Texas)Starting this year, Katy ISD parents to be notified whenever child checks out library book
At the last board meeting, Katy ISD members also voted on the topic regarding when a book is taken out of circulation
multiple students and activists are already speaking out against any efforts to restrict LGBTQ+ groups on campuses.
This discussion comes as board members have also gotten much attention for their stances on books.
At the last board meeting, members voted that if any two of them take issue with a book, it will be automatically taken out of circulation and put up for a vote on removal.
Also, starting this year, parents and guardians will be notified anytime their child checks out a library book.
"You learn who you are, and you learn what you want to do in your life, and a lot of time those central conversations involve our gender and who we like and what things we want to be involved in," recent graduate Logan McLean said. "If the district can restrict that, that is a restriction on our First Amendment and our ability to express ourselves."
https://abc13.com/katy-isd-gender-flu...
Back to Tenn.
Parents sue Williamson County School Board over decision to keep books with ‘obscene materials’ in schools
The lawsuit was filed on Friday, however, the board met on Monday for the first time since the filing.
The plaintiffs in the case claim the board is allowing books that “create p____graphic visual images wholly inappropriate for middle school students, high school students, or any age or level of maturity.”
“I think the really important stipulation here is we need to trust the professionals that you all oversee and have hired. We need to trust our librarians to make determinations around what is educationally valuable, what is age appropriate when there is a challenge that comes from the community,” said one speaker during the June 19 board meeting.
The suit points to the June 19 board meeting as the reason behind the lawsuit. During that meeting, the Board focused on five books, including:
“Perks of Being a Wallflower”
“Where the Crawdads Sing”
“Speak”
“The Field Guide to the North American Teenager”
“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/...
GOOD news... The Arlington, Virginia public library (Washington, DC suburb) has been and is still hosting a banned authors series of author talks.
Jerry Craft
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Art Spiegelman Sept. 21
Alison Bechdel
Gene Luen Yang
THIS news comes straight from the horse's mouth so to speak... my oldest cousin who works at the library.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/arling...
https://arlingtonva.libcal.com/event/...
Virginia is one of the anti-"Critical Race Theory" states.
More news from yesterdayThe library in Branson Missouri was set to close in 2024 but thanks to EveryLibrary it is now the nation's newest Library District instead.
The Taney Hills Community Library has been serving the Branson area for almost 90 years as a local small nonprofit.
Unfortunately, the cost of doing business as a non-profit Library exceeded their fundraising and endowment capabilities.
The leadership team knew it was important to go to the voters to ask for a tax levy to fund a true public library and with assistance from EveryLibrary and active organizing and campaigning, they succeeded -- by 47 votes.
EveryLibrary is proud to work with libraries in communities like Branson to ensure that library services thrive. We consulted closely with the existing Community Library leadership team and the new library board, made a direct donation to the ballot committee, and helped them plan and execute a winning campaign.
https://www.everylibrary.org/
Some goodish news from TexasGranbury ISD board to vote on discipline for member who entered school library over summer break to personally review books
The district has already taken action to remove several books with LGBTQ themes and characters, but Karen Lowery took it upon herself to review more titles.
Karen Lowery is accused of violating district policy by going to Granbury High School’s library without permission and personally looking through books to see if they should be removed.
Granbury ISD got attention for removing books last spring after ProPublica shared a secret recording of Superintendent Dr. Jeremey Glenn talking about the district being conservative.
“If it’s not what you believe, you better hide it because it ain’t changing,” Glenn is heard saying on that tape, justifying his desire to remove LGBTQ-focused books from the school's libraries.
“It’s the transgender, LGBTQ and the sex — sexuality — in books,” Glenn said in that recording. “That’s what the governor has said that he will prosecute people for, and that’s what we’re pulling out.”
Lowery campaigned on the same issue Glenn was recorded speaking to -- but she didn’t think the district was going far enough, and had expressed concerns about what books remained in libraries.
Video that Granbury ISD released this week through an open records request shows Lowery and another woman, who the district said is not an employee or parent, walking into a dark library around 9 a.m. on August 2 while school was still out of session for summer break.
Their planning for the visit began weeks earlier.
WFAA obtained a recording of a July meeting between Lowery, school board member Melanie Graft and their attorney, along with Glenn and school board president Barbara Herrington. The meeting was to discuss training that Graft and Lowery said wasn’t properly documented, as well as library books and curriculums.
[Karen was told to make an appointment to go into the school and never did.]
Both Lowery and the district declined interviews Tuesday, but in a text Lowery said that her “long-term goal remains the same, to protect the hearts and minds of children in GISD.”
Wednesday's meeting, where her peers will vote on whether to discipline her, will also be the first time Lowery will speak publicly about what happened and share her version of events from August 2.
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/edu...
In Douglas Colorado4 books face calls to be banned from Douglas County Public Libraries!!
Four books centering around LGBTQ themes are facing calls to be banned from Douglas County Libraries.
The controversy surrounds a picture book called "The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish," and three young adult books: All Boys Aren't Blue" "This Book Is Gay" and "Jack of Hearts
LOCAL NEWS
4 books face calls to be banned from Douglas County Public Libraries
colorado
BY OLIVIA YOUNG
UPDATED ON: AUGUST 23, 2023 / 9:13 AM / CBS COLORADO
Four books centering around LGBTQ themes are facing calls to be banned from Douglas County Libraries.
The controversy surrounds a picture book called "The Hips on The Drag Queen Go Swish Swish Swish," and three young adult books: "All Boys Aren't Blue," "This Book Is Gay," and "Jack of Hearts (and other parts)."
dougco-book-ban-4vo-transfer-frame-623.jpg
CBS
"The issue with these books are the themes and suggestive nature, s__al elements, that are portrayed in these books, and the question of, 'Well, why is this something that should be in the library catalog?'" said Aaron Wood, Founder of the Christian men's group Freedom Fathers.
Wood is leading the charge against the books. While former librarian Jessica Fredrickson says the efforts are censorship, motivated by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
We don't ban books in America right?" Fredrickson said, "I think the freedom to read is a First Amendment right and banning books is very dangerous and it's a slippery slope."
"Banning books is not what this is about," said Wood, "those books will still be available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble and whatnot. This is about as a community we fund the library through our tax dollars and the library should hold a higher standard."
Fredrickson says it's important kids have access to affirming literature.
"There is nothing to hide about being queer or gay or lesbian or bi or transgender. That is an identity worth celebrating," she said.
But Wood says his concern doesn't come from the LGBTQ themes.
"It still is destructive to position these things in front of young children who are impressionable and they're forming a worldview and do we want to pervert that worldview with sexual obscenities?" Wood asked.
The three young adult books are shelved in the adult section of the library. All four books currently have a waitlist.
"What is demand telling us? Do people in the county actually want to read these books?" Executive Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk said.
Pasicznyuk has already looked at the request and decided not to remove the books.
"I looked at each of those options in turn and I couldn't find any rationale that would allow me to do that for the customer," Pasicznyuk said.
Now the question will go to the Library Board of Trustees, for the first time in library history. Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. the board will meet at the Parker library to decide whether the books will be removed.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news...
In an about face, 2 days before school starts, Arkansas dropped AP African American history. That's just ridiculous. There are 8 senior citizens out there who can tell anyone and have told everyone what really happened in history. I've seen some of the news footage and recreations of the experience of the Little Rock Nine. The governor now sure sounds a lot like the governor back in the 50s.____
Just 48 hours before the first day of school, the Arkansas Department of Education announced that Advanced Placement African American studies would not count towards graduation.
The department said it's reviewing the course for possible indoctrination. As Josie Lenora from member station KUAR in Little Rock reports, the course is still in its pilot stage.
Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders went on Fox News to explain her administration's decision to prioritize AP African American studies.
SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: We cannot perpetuate a lie to our students and push this propaganda leftist agenda teaching our kids to hate America and hate one another.
Sanders is not pointing to anything specific in the AP African American curriculum. The Arkansas Department of Education notified teachers that they deleted the course code for AP African American studies. That means students can't get graduation credit for taking it.
The governor's alma mater, Little Rock Central High School, is known for its robust AP offerings. That's where senior Jack Baker took the pilot course last school year. He says it's a straightforward history class which encourages students to think about different ideas.
"We were offered alternative perspectives, and we were not told that this was somehow, like, immediately correct. It was more discussion based and, like, viewpoint oriented."
The class was also a positive experience for senior Sarah Tarawally. She said she never felt hatred towards America while studying the course. She said she enjoyed learning about different historical figures like Sojourner Truth and local civil rights activist Daisy Bates.
"Showing up to class, it made it fun. It made it easy because you were learning something you've never learned before. It wasn't just bookwork. It wasn't just talking about history. It was something that engaged everyone."
The pilot AP African American studies curriculum has four units, starting with ancient Africa, covering the slave trade, the Civil War and finishing with the civil rights movement. Last year 60 schools across the country offered the pilot course to students. This year the class is expanding to hundreds more. Democratic State Senator Linda Chesterfield said she did not have a Black history class when she was growing up in a segregated school. So when she became a teacher, she had to incorporate African American history into her social studies curriculum on her own. She says she wanted all of her students to feel included in U.S. history.
She asked Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva to explain the decision to scrap the AP African American studies course.
"I sent this text to Secretary Oliva, and I ask him very simply, why doesn't my history count? And his response was, we're working on getting some information together on that."
The Arkansas Department of Education echoed this in a statement. They said they are reviewing the class materials to see if they contain so-called critical race theory or indoctrination. The College Board, which offers the AP class, says there's nothing in any of its courses that is about indoctrination. Brandi Waters helped design the AP African American studies course. It's still a young discipline, even though it's been around for about 70 years.
"What we're really trying to do is to showcase how much has been discovered by this field since its inception and to prepare students to see that broader world through their own perspectives."
Six schools that plan to offer the pilot course this year said they will still do so, but only as a local elective and not as an official AP class.
NPR story
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/22/119528...
And in Florida,Escambia School Board seeks to toss parents, authors' lawsuit over banned books
The Escambia County School Board on Monday urged a federal judge to toss out a lawsuit filed by authors, a publishing company, parents and a non-profit organization challenging the removal or restriction of books in school libraries.
The lawsuit, filed in May amid widespread controversy in Florida and other states about restricting school books, alleges the Escambia board has violated First Amendment and equal-protection rights and has disproportionately targeted books about racial minorities and LGBTQ people.
But in a 36-page motion filed Monday in federal court in Pensacola, the school board argued that it has authority to decide what books will be allowed in schools and that a new state law helps shield it from the allegations.
“I don't blame them. They want to be right. They are falling in line to Tallahassee, and in some respects — that's their job. I was expecting this. I was prepared for this. But it does not mean that it's over," said Lindsay Durtschi, an Escambia County Public Schools parent and plaintiff in the lawsuit.
In part, the school board contended that the plaintiffs don’t have legal standing to pursue the case. It said, for example, that removal or restriction of books from school libraries does not create a “constitutional injury” to the authors who are plaintiffs.
“The board has not inhibited or prohibited the author plaintiffs’ ability to write, market, and sell their books, even to the board’s students,” the motion said. “The mere fact that their books have been removed or restricted from the board’s shelves does not give the author plaintiffs standing to challenge the board’s decisions and their claims should be dismissed with prejudice.”
Also, it described as “moot” the arguments of parents who are plaintiffs. That is because the new state law (HB 1069), which took effect July 1, allows parents to request appointment of a special magistrate if they object to school-board book decisions. The magistrate would make recommendations to the State Board of Education, which would make a final decision.
The motion said that because the new law “now takes final decision-making authority out of the (school) board’s hands, there is no possibility of the alleged violations recurring; and, because the law now allows the parent plaintiffs and their associational representatives to seek review by a special magistrate, the effects of the violation have been eradicated because no final decision as to the removed books currently exists, thus removing any finality regarding the status of the removed books.”
As far as the books that have already been restricted or removed prior to HB 1069 taking effect on July 1, Durtschi said she has received no assurance that those books would ever be placed back on the shelves or reconsidered. The removed books, some by authors that her fourth-grade daughter reads regularly, are still inaccessible to her.
The lawsuit, which was revised last month, includes as plaintiffs five authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House, parents of schoolchildren including Durtschi and the free-speech group PEN America. It details a series of examples of the school board removing or restricting library books after receiving complaints — with the board, at least in some cases, going against the recommendations of review committees.
“These restrictions and removals have disproportionately targeted books by or about people of color and/or LGBTQ people, and have prescribed an orthodoxy of opinion that violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments,” the lawsuit said, referring to 14th Amendment equal-protection rights.
The lawsuit also said the “First Amendment bars a school district from removing books from school libraries, or restricting access to such books, based on political or ideological disagreement with the ideas they express. Plaintiffs bring this lawsuit because that is exactly what is happening in Escambia County. Books are being ordered removed from libraries, or subject to restricted access within those libraries, based on ideologically-driven efforts to push certain ideas out of schools.”
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, a former state appeals-court judge appointed to the federal bench by former President Donald Trump. Wetherell has not scheduled a hearing in the case, according to an online docket.
Durtschi still stands behind the idea that the school board is exercising viewpoint censorship. As the district eventually moves forward with evaluating a list of challenged books that has grown to over 200, Durtschi said the district's "community standards" will need to be reflective of the students that the county serves at large. In the meantime, she will continue fighting.
https://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/...
Mod
Mod
Honestly, I do not know which is worse, that "education" minister Bill Hogan is intent on pushing through his "pronouns" bill or the fact that the comments on the CBC website with the most upvotes support this horror.
Honestly, I hope that students where teachers will not (or cannot use) their preferred pronouns will simply stop acknowledging these teachers, will just not react to them being called by the wrong pronouns, will engage in a rebellion of silence, mutism and not following any orders etc. given with pronouns they do not want. Yes, I know the teachers have no choice, but if the students en masse simply refuse to acknowledge them and will not follow any directions unless their preferred pronouns are used in class, if enough students do this, Hogan will hopefully have to face a real and ridiculously stupid (on their heads) educational crisis and one he and his supporters richly and totally deserve.
N.B. is close enough to drive to in 2 days but this hateful policy makes me not to want to go there. Students will hopefully come up with names like Jackie/Jacky, Bobbie/Bobby, even my name was once masculine and Courtney and some other popular girls' names were used as boys' names. A clever child can argue that's their name and corresponding gender is male and hopefully teacher will go along with it. If I were my younger cousins, having children now, I'd give them gender neutral names just in case and/or family names. I'd go with Tone (Tony/Toni), Robbie, Pat, Sammy, as official given names. (Variations on family names).
Mod
Please do not trash the entire province just because the government is vile. Mount Allison University for example (where I did my undergraduate degree) has just opened its gender affirming care program (that was previously only open to its students) to the public (and Hogan and Higg's attitudes are also causing a split in the party).
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...
A lot going on as the new school year begins..."A Forsyth County, Georgia elementary principal has apologized to parents for a guest author who told fifth-graders that the subject of his book was "gay."
On Monday, Marc Tyler Nobleman visited Sharon Elementary School to talk about his book, Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman
The picture book is an examination of the life of writer Bill Finger, who helped invent Batman but was left out of the hero's origin story until after his death.
At some point during his talk with the students, Noblemen mentioned that Finger was "gay," Sharon Elementary School Principal Brian Nelson said in his letter to parents.
"This is not subject matter that we were aware that he was including nor content we would have approved for our students," Nelson wrote.
The principal apologized and said that "action was taken to ensure that this was not included in Nobleman's subsequent speeches."
__________________________________
Hooray for the author for being bold, daring and honest with the students. Boo to the principal for apologizing!
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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NCAC believes that an effective book challenge procedure helps ensure that the district continues to uphold the rights of its students to free inquiry and free expression, while ensuring that all parties feel that their concerns have been heard and considered by the district.
https://ncac.org/news/book-review-pol...