Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
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Discussion of censorship, equity, and other concerns.
Kelly Jensen also reports:South Carolina State Department of Education will be considering four more titles on November 21. Three of the titles the committee will review this week all come from the complaint of a single parent; one of those titles is a literature textbook.
While draconian book ban laws are currently on hold in Texas and in Iowa, state-sanctioned book banning laws passed in Idaho, Tennessee , and, as mentioned above, South Carolina this year. Tennessee’s law is playing out district by district, with Wilson County Schools banning nearly 400 titles this month and Rutherford County banning 150."
Florida-still in denial about the First Amendment and what constitutes a ban.Florida state, local school boards respond to nation's top publishers in book ban lawsuit
https://www.yahoo.com/news/florida-st...
The Volusia County School Board Friday responded to a lawsuit filed by the country's largest book publishers challenging Florida's book removal provisions of HB 1069 claiming it was only following state law, among other defenses.
The Florida State Board of Education filed a motion to dismiss. The Volusia County and Orange County school boards each filed an answer and affirmative defenses.
Both responses were nearly identical and listed six affirmative defenses:
Plaintiffs lack standing to bring their claims and specifically incorporate and adopt any arguments on standing made by the Volusia County School Board and Orange County School Board defendants’ co-defendants.
Volusia County School Board and Orange County School Board defendants allege that they are not proper defendants. Instead, the respective school districts, rather than board members, are the proper parties.
“Plaintiffs have failed to state a cause of action against” the Volusia County School Board and Orange County School Board defendants.
Removal of any materials from Volusia County or Orange County public schools “was for the sole purpose of complying with Florida law.”
Volusia County School Board and Orange County School Board defendants are not subject to liability because “there is no policy, procedure, or custom in place, or decision made by a final decision maker or any of the board members.”
The plaintiff’s claims against the Volusia County School Board and Orange County School Board defendants “are barred by the Eleventh Amendment (which does not allow individuals to file suit in federal court against states they don’t reside in) and sovereign immunity.”
The Florida Department of Education filed a motion to dismiss all claims against the state defendants.
The state argued that the complaint is “the definition of a shotgun pleading,” a lawsuit that fails to provide the other party with clear notice of the claims or enough information to respond.
Additionally, it notes that the plaintiffs did not identify which school districts removed which books or what relevance the alleged removals have against each defendant.
“Because the reader of this complaint ‘must speculate as to which factual allegations pertain to which county,’ it is a shotgun pleading, and the court should dismiss it,” the response said.
The state also argued that the plaintiffs lack standing to sue the State defendants because any harm from the alleged injury can be traced back to specific school districts’ actions — not the State Department of Education, which “only” has a “general ‘supervisory authority’ over school districts.”
Additionally, the state argued that plaintiffs didn’t identify a reason for the federal court to interpret a state statute.
Lastly, the state claimed that HB 1069 does not violate First Amendment freedoms. It argued that the selection of books in public school libraries is government speech and therefore not subject to the First Amendment; that the government has “no First Amendment obligation to provide benefits such as public-school libraries;” and that the First Amendment allows restriction of student speech during school-sponsored activities.
AlabamaHuntsville Library moves challenged books after updating policy
https://www.alreporter.com/2024/11/20...
The relocated books include one with non-s--ual cartoonish nudity and one about gender identity with no nudity or s--ually explicit content.
Book challengers in Huntsville finally got their way Tuesday as the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library moved several books to adult sections of the library.
The board in July voted narrowly not to move “All Boys Aren’t Blue” after a discussion on how its s---ally explicit passages fit into the work as a whole. The book is classified for adults and teens 16 years and older, but the library section for older teens includes works recommended for teens ages 12 to 17.
Policies have been updated at the library system since then, however, and a list showing the status of the library’s statement of concern resolutions shows that 10 challenged books have been moved since then, some of them specifically referencing a reevaluation due to revised policies.
One of those books is “Naked: Not Your Average Sex Encyclopedia” a sex education book designed for older teens that may have been moved out of the young adult section under former policies. The library had previously moved two other sex education books, “Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships and Being a Human” and “Sex Plus: Learning, Loving and Enjoying Your Body,” before the policy changes.
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Another s-x education book, “Sex Education: A Guide to Life,” had previously been challenged and the status shows that only after reevaluating the book based on new policies to move to the adult nonfiction for sexually explicit content.
One of the most controversial s-x education books in libraries has also been moved. “It’s Perfectly Normal,” a 1994 book designed to teach children entering adolescence about s-xual development using cartoonish illustration that include s-- and nudity, has also been moved to the adult nonfiction section.
The books moved go beyond s--ually explicit content though. “The Big Bath House” has been moved to the international media center in adult fiction for nudity. The picture book depicts the author’s memory of attending a communal bath house in Japan, where women of all ages and body types are using the facility. The illustrations are cartoonish and scant in detail.
The book “Melissa,” meanwhile, has been recommended for placement in young adult fiction for “non-s--ual nudity.” The book tells the story of a transgender fourth grader dealing with their identity as well as school life. It was the most challenged book from 2018 to 2020 according to the American Library Association. The recommendation for placement in the young adult section could still be appealed by the challenger.
The library has also moved a book with no apparent sexually explicit content or nudity: “It Feels Good to be Yourself: A Book about Gender Identity.” The status of the statement of concern shows that the library has moved the book to the “Adult Nonfiction — Parenting” section “due to need for parental guidance to discuss terms and vocabulary.”
The library also moved three books from author Ellen Hopkins for sexually explicit content: “Tricks,” “Crank,” and “Identical.” The graphic novel “Fine: A Comic About Gender” has been moved to the adult graphic novel section for nudity. The graphic novel “Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure” has been moved to the adult graphic novel section for nudity and s--ually explicit content.
Only one challenge was denied: a patron had filed a statement concern about the children’s book “Worm Loves Worm” which depicts two worms getting married. At one point in the book, the worms can’t decide who should be the groom and who the bride and decide to each be both bride and groom. Real earthworms are hermaphrodites.
“A Family is a Family is a Family,” a book about different types of families including ones with two dads or moms, had been challenged but the status of the challenge shows that the challenger did not complete the requirements to contest the book.
Two other challenged books were not on the library shelves but found within the library’s digital resources through Hoopla and Libby, which the library says it has limited control over.
There are still two challenges currently remaining: “This Book is Gay” and “Being You: A First Conversation about Gender.” [a board book for families!]
Just a reminder how we're only a half step away from here.Taliban govt clearing 'un-Islamic' books from Afghanistan shelves
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news...
"We have not banned books from any specific country or person, but we study the books and we block those that are contradictory to religion, sharia or the government, or if they have photos of living things," said Mohammad Sediq Khademi, an official with the Herat department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV).
"Any books that are against religion, faith, sect, sharia... we will not allow them," the 38-year-old told AFP, adding the evaluations of imported books started some three months ago.
Images of living things -- barred under some interpretations of Islam -- are restricted according to a recent "vice and virtue" law that codifies rules imposed since the Taliban returned to power, but the regulations have been unevenly enforced.
Importers have been advised of which books to avoid, and when books are deemed unsuitable, they are given the option of returning them and getting their money back, Khademi said.
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Authorities have not gone from shop to shop checking for banned books, an official with the provincial information department and a Herat bookseller said, asking not to be named.
However, some books have been removed from Herat libraries and Kabul bookstores...
All that complaining about Sharia law was really just a quibble about which Holy Book to use.
The news is unlikely to get better. Maryland
Carroll County bans more books
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/11/...
Paywalled but Google says
"Carroll school officials remove 5 more books from library shelves, bringing total to 26 this year."
I did see the story on my phone so maybe you can get it. The list contained adult books from the Game of Thrones series and the popular series by Sarah J. Maas, I think.
Texas no surprise here. What's the point of having librarians and why did they spend a fortune on their education to have their knowledge overturned by untrained lawmakers?https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/...
State Board of Education says it wants more control over public school library books
A majority of the panel voted to call on the Texas Legislature to pass a state law giving members the authority to determine age-appropriate books for students.
A majority on the Republican-dominated State Board of Education said Thursday that it wanted more control over whether school library books are considered s--ually explicit or not.
Ten members on the board responsible for determining what Texas' 5.5 million public schoolchildren learn in the classroom voted to call on the Texas Legislature, which convenes in January, to pass a state law granting them authority to determine what books are appropriate for school-age children. Local school districts currently manage that process.
Republican members said granting the board control would alleviate the state’s more than 1,200 public school districts of the burdensome task. They also said it could offer a solution to a recent court ruling stopping Texas from fully enforcing a state law requiring booksellers to rate their materials for appropriateness — based on books' depictions or references to s-x — before selling them to school libraries.
“This board knows how to vet material. We have processes. We know how to do that. We can create a transparent process to do that work,” Florence Republican board member Tom Maynard said. “We'd get lots more emails, I know, but I think it's work that … really needs to be done.”
The board, which has shifted further to the political right in recent years, will formally ask the Legislature to grant it “discretion to create rules, procedures and timelines” for the book review process and amend current state law, known as House Bill 900, to streamline the process, according to the recommendation proposed on Thursday.
The proposal received immediate pushback from some of the board’s Democrats, who argued that the process should remain under the purview of local school districts.
Republican Aaron Kinsey, chair of the board, said the book review process could mirror how the body oversees instructional materials, an undertaking that includes using outside reviewers to help sort through school lessons.
Evelyn Brooks, a Frisco Republican, said she supports establishing uniform guidelines for all school districts to follow when selecting books for their libraries.
“They could have their own communities involved in what they want in their libraries, but the standard has been set to alleviate confusion,” Brooks said. “There is a lot of confusion at the board meetings, even though the law is very straightforward. It's just been a very muddy area.”
Under House Bill 900, books are considered "s--ually relevant" if the material describes or portrays s--ual activity and is part of the required school curriculum. Books are considered “s--ually explicit” if the material describing or portraying s--ual behavior is not part of the required curriculum and portrayed in a “patently offensive way,” defined by the state as going against “current community standards of decency.”
Schools are required to remove “s--ually explicit” books from library shelves, while students seeking to check out books with a "s--ually relevant" rating require parental consent.
... [C] onservative advocates have still shown up to State Board of Education meetings in recent months to raise complaints about the presence of such materials in their school libraries and what they describe as inaction by local school districts.
The discussion over what entities should control the book review process comes as Texas officials have sought to exert more control over what materials children are exposed to in public schools. The state has passed legislation limiting how schools can talk about America’s history of racism and its diversity, while proposing other bills to ban classroom instruction about s--ual orientation and gender identity.
Ahead of the legislative session, Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco has already filed House Bill 183, a bill that would grant the State Board of Education its wish by giving the curriculum-setting body the authority to prohibit school districts from using library materials it considers “inappropriate” or “s--ually explicit.”
South Carolina continues to ban booksBan upheld for 7 books; classics like 'Romeo & Juliet' stay in SC school libraries
https://wpde.com/news/local/book-ban-...
Last month, the Instructional Materials Committee recommended removing seven out of the 10 challenged books from all public school libraries. Those books include "Normal People" by Sally Rooney, "Ugly Love" by Colleen Hoover, "Damsel" by Elana Arnold and four books from "The Court of Thorns and Roses" series by Sara Maas.
The State Board of Education voted to unanimously uphold the recommendation to permanently remove the seven books from school libraries and agreed that "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, "1984" by George Orwell and "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee should stay.
The committee also considered the removal of four more books on Thursday.
The committee voted to keep "HMH Into Literature Grade 8." The decision will be up for final approval at the next full State Board of Education meeting on December 3.
The committee also voted to keep "Crank by Ellen Hopkins" in schools but only grant access to students whose parents opt-in to allow it.
The committee voted to hold the decision on "Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes" and "The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros" until the complainant provides specific quotes from the text.
Why on earth would you ban The House on Mango Street, for heavens' sake?
I've never read Bronx Masquerade, but now I feel as if I have to.
Texas as usualKaty ISD has Banned 34 Books Since August 2024
Removals include at least 6 titles featured on past AP English exams.
https://www.txftrp.org/katy_isd_bans_...
QNPoohBear wrote: "Texas as usualKaty ISD has Banned 34 Books Since August 2024
Removals include at least 6 titles featured on past AP English exams.
https://www.txftrp.org/katy_isd_bans_..."
How thoughtful of them to dumb down the entire district.
ArkansasThe book challenge nonsense in Crawford County Library System (AR) is already costing nearly HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. The county is threatening to defund the library.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2...
Paywalled
South Carolina2 York County library trustees have resigned. It's just the board's latest upheaval.
Pro-library, anti-censorship members
On Nov. 14, the Board of Trustees meets for the first time minus two members, including its former chairwoman, Anne Witte. She resigned, as well as board member Charles Robinson following a pair of contentious meetings in October about restricting books in the children's section of the five county libraries with questionable content.
Last year York County Council reduced the size of the board from 10 members to seven. Along with other resignations, that has left Wendi Michael as the only board member with more than 1 1/2 years of experience on the panel.
"Board members who did not complete their annual performance appraisal on (the library director), indicating they did not know enough ... now take a majority point and demand telling her how the library will be run," Robinson wrote in his resignation letter. "This is totally unfair, unacceptable."
York's library board members had wanted more clarity from the state Attorney General's office on how libraries should proceed. In the meantime, that led to a discussion on a moratorium on purchasing such books until direction is provided by the state.
In June, the state General Assembly prohibited libraries from offering "any books or materials that appeal to the prurient interest of children under the age of 13 in children's book sections."
A motion passed but was opposed by Witte and Robinson because they said the vote would prevent the library system from buying any children's books.
A special meeting was called a week later, on Oct. 16, with the trustees in the 4-3 majority claiming the vote was specific to books containing sexually explicit content.
Both Witte and Robinson indicated they'd had enough of the contention on the board in resignation letters at the end of October.
"I do not have the appetite nor stomach for the conflict, division, and political agendas which are becoming the norm," Witte wrote. "I am not willing to continue engaging with the divisive rhetoric and actions of our current board who seek to limit representation on library shelves. Regardless of how it is framed, it is censorship and it is antithetical to the mission of the library board."
Robinson said the board is failing to provide library staff with clear direction.
"This has caused confusion and does not enable professionals to operate with their best performance of duty," he wrote. "Furthermore, this now creates a toxic atmosphere which is intolerable!"
One parent complaint was all it took to get a book banned in schools in Horry County, South Carolina. https://www.wmbfnews.com/2024/11/15/h...
Indiana where this guy has no idea how AP college level courses workhttps://wrbiradio.com/patrons-call-fo...
Several patrons addressed the Decatur County Community School Board last week, upset that a student was reportedly asked to read a book in her AP English class that they consider p---graphic.
The people spoke on behalf of the South Decatur High School student and her parents, saying the book titled “Blindness” by Jose Saramago contains perverse and graphic speech that high school students should not be exposed to.
One of the speakers said the Indiana Attorney General’s office has a program called “Eyes on Education” that allows parents and others to file a complaint.
Another speaker said the teacher encourages cursing in class.
There was no action taken, but school board president Todd Mauer thanked the speakers for voicing their opinions on the matter.
https://www.aol.com/locals-call-schoo...
Local resident Joshua Smith spoke on behalf of his brother Adam Smith and niece, a junior at SDHS. Smith said his brother found his daughter [Smith's niece and SDHS student] crying in her bedroom on the evening of Sept. 15. When he asked what was wrong, she purportedly handed him the book "Blindness." The following day, Adam reportedly asked that his daughter not read "p--n" at school and asked that she be removed from the class or he would pull her from the school. Smith said his brother spoke with the school's secretary, principal and the class teacher.
Smith read a couple of graphic, s--ually explicit passages from the book aloud.
Crystal Smith read a letter from the student stating that she preferred to read "1984," but was outvoted in the class. Her letter said this content had nothing to do with maturity level and called for the school board to "remove p--- from Decatur County Schools."
"Blindness" is a 1995 novel by the Portuguese author José Saramago. According to Wikipedia, Saramago received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998, and "Blindness" was one of his works noted by the committee when announcing the award.
The book was adapted into a rated R film of the same name in 2008. Local and final public commenter Melissa Meltzer pointed to this rating saying even the movie industry realizes that this content is unsuitable for minors.
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' As far the argument that [the student] was in a college-level course, she was not enrolled in college. Therefore, the course is subject to public high school requirements, not vice versa."
Meltzer called for the teacher's suspension without pay due to immorality until her curriculum is thoroughly investigated for inappropriate materials.
House Enrolled Act 1447 requires school districts to establish procedures to publish their school library catalogs and to set up a process for a parent or community member to request removal of obscene or harmful material.
It is up to school leadership to decide whether the material qualifies as obscene or objectionable, only the former being a reason to remove the book.
The state of Iowa is finalizing their new book banning rule statewidehttps://www.kcrg.com/2024/11/13/iowa-...
Don't say gay, don't read anything about s-e-x.
https://www.kcrg.com/2024/11/13/iowa-...
The Iowa State Board of Education is finalizing the process that schools will use to ban books that depict s-x acts from school libraries.
The proposed rules have come together as the state works to implement a new law on library materials that also bans instruction on gender identity and s--ual orientation for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Educators have been waiting on guidance on these rules since Republicans passed the law in 2023.
The state Board of Education paused its work to clarify how the law would work after a federal court issued an injunction and stopped the law from taking effect. Further court action lifted the pause and the law is in effect.
At the state board of education meeting Wednesday in Des Moines, we got an insight into these proposals.
One change: Districts must update an online list of available books in their libraries twice a year.
For districts that share libraries for multiple grades, administrators must enact physical and technological controls to make sure students only have access to age-appropriate materials.
There are still penalties for districts that don’t comply with the law; but Thomas Mayes, the department’s attorney, says the board wants to give districts an opportunity to fix problems first.
”If a book is brought to the department’s attention, the library materials brought to the library’s attention, and the district voluntarily corrects, that should be encouraged," he said. “And the rule builds a path forward.”
Districts are still prohibited from teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through sixth grade.
The ACLU of Iowa is continuing its lawsuit against the law and is asking for a new injunction.
VirginiaSamuels Public Library is still under fire and a new board wants to create a newly appointed board to make decisions for the library.
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/lo...
Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees President Melody Hotek believes the lack of book banning prompted supervisors to pursue a new system that would give them another chance.
“We feel like their ultimate goal is to dismantle the library,” Hotek said. “It’s very clear and obvious to the public that we talk to on a daily basis at the library that they have a personal agenda for this and the real issue how they can remove books.”
However, Supervisor Richard Jamieson recently presented a report that said there’s an imbalance and “governing issues” associated with the library.
The 2023 Library Debrief and Research Sub-committee final report reflected Jamieson’s statements that despite the library being dominantly funded by the public, management is mainly private. The current 15-board member includes one representative from the county.
“Longstanding productive partnership between Samuels and the county has evolved into a substantial imbalance,” Jamieson said. “We have a situation that taxpayers fund but doesn't buy the governance of the body.”
Supervisor Vicky Cook also agreed it’s time to have board members appointed to replace the existing board.
“The library should be folded in with the other departments and nonprofits,” she said. “Costs are going to go up and we have to get our arms around it.”
Holtek and other library members argue the current makeup is an exact representation of taxpayers.
“It's very disheartening because the board members are all tax paying citizens of this county and are selected because of their expertise that will help govern this board,” Holtek added.
The library’s executive director Erin Rooney said they’re still in the process of reviewing all of the complaints. If the board is approved, she said, “we’ll do the best we can to make sure we’re still functioning.”
Supervisors are expected to meet Tuesday night to discuss making the public aware of the proposed plans. If passed, the new board will have five appointed members with different term limits.
m=onsite&itm_campaign=premiumroadblock&gca-cat=p&slug=restricted&redirect=true&offer=W-FV&gnt-eid=controlUm no.
New Jersey
The Warren County Public Library Commission (NJ) wants to implement Moms For Liberty’s “review” site BookLooks into the professional library selection process.
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/phillip...
at least one book celebrating LGBTQ+ identity has been pulled from Germantown, Wisconsin, schools in addition to posters celebrating queer heroes through history being pulled.PAYWALLED
https://subscribe.jsonline.com/restri...
Livingston Parish, Louisiana (Amanda Jones) is still at it- HOW many years later? They'd rather have NO library than a few books they disagree with. At first literally no one cared, it was some out of town local crank and his crony. The fans were flamed on social media and it snowballed from there. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rou...
Livingston Parish's on-again, off-again debate over age-appropriate reading has now become so fierce that the library board of control is paralyzed, unable to pass a budget or select a president.
A Tuesday board meeting lasted just under four hours, as some residents shouted criticisms and read s--ually explicit passages aloud.
The next day, board member Shalisa Labat resigned, the fifth to leave or be removed since this summer. That leaves the board with two vacancies.
While the deadlocked library board has agreed to move some books from the children's section to adult sections, it has found itself unable to make bigger decisions — and the clock is ticking.
“This is ridiculous,” Parish Councilman Ricky Goff said at a recent meeting. “What's ridiculous is that we cannot come up with a good solution to at least make a step forward.“
The debate over age-appropriate books has caused the parish council to gradually replace library board members with people council members say are more representative of residents' views.
That has led to a 4-4 divide between newer members, who are more active in moving books, and longer-tenured members, who side with some librarians and parents who fear censorship or believe the library staff is more equipped to handle these issues.
In the most recent meeting, several important votes failed 4-4, including a motion to approve the 2025 fiscal year operating budget.
Half the board wanted more time to look at an itemized list of budget items for more insight. Library Director Michelle Parrish said she gave the board two weeks to look over it before the night's vote.
Board members Ronnie Bencaz, Shalisha Labat, Steve Bernard and Kathy deGeneres voted to approve; Larry Davis, Dewanna Christian, Abby Crosby and Summer Smith voted against it.
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Some critics of the new board, like the Livingston Parish Library Alliance community group, said the stalemate is part of a larger effort to disrupt the libraries.
“It appears that the Alliance has been 100% correct. No need to ban books when you can ban (shut down) the whole library,” wrote Francine Smith, a recently removed board member, on social media
The board has also deadlocked on passing a five-year strategic plan for the library, a road map for maintaining and growing the library's services.
Another, even more polarizing vote was for the election of board of control officers. Larry Davis and Labat were both nominated for president. Both received a 4-4 vote.
After hours of debate, the board decided to push the officer election to January.
Goff, the parish councilman, said the entire situation was troubling.
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Labat's resignation the next day now leaves the board with two vacancies. But it also gives the faction with new members, which voted for Davis and which voted against the budget, a majority.
Meanwhile, the debate over what books should go in the children section continues to roil.
The board approved moving books “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” from the young adult section to the adult section. Both were proposed by board member Abby Crosby for having s--ally explicit material.
The vote to move the books came after passionate testimony during public comments.
Trey Cowell, a local pastor, led the charge to move the books, reading a graphic passage detailing s---al acts from “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” to the room.
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Brian Gunter, parish resident and pastor, said that because the library is funded from the community’s property taxes, the community should choose what books are appropriate.
Gunter suggested that retired teachers and members of his church could read through the libraries' children's books to decide if they should be relocated. [Um no! PUBLIC library!]
“When this next board member is appointed, you guys need to come back and work all this out. Let's remove the things from our library that don't belong there and keep all the things we agree with,” Gunter said. “We all pay for this library.” [As in only the things YOU agree with?]
Jordan Gonzalez, parish resident, argued the community is bigger than those who attend the board meetings and those who attend church, and ultimately the librarians should be making these choices.
“We need to just trust our librarians and trust our staff, our professionals, our educated and trained professionals to handle those situations,” Gonzalez said.
Some of the other books that have been challenged, according to public records, are:
“13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher
“Damsel” by Elana Arnold
“Johnny and the Walrus” by Matt Walsh
“The Haters” by Jesse Andrews
“Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins
“Fade” by Lisa McMann
The argument for moving challenged books has spread beyond the libraries.
Cowell also addressed the parish school board Thursday night. saying he wants to protect kids and paid $150 for a public records request to find that the two challenged books voted on by the library board are in some of the parish high schools.
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It is up to parish councilmen Billy Taylor and Ryan Chavers to fill the two library board vacancies, possibly ending the stalemate by seating all nine board members.
Chavers and Taylor said they would appoint their new members at the next Parish Council meeting Dec. 5.
Amanda Jones, a parish librarian and vocal critic of recent changes to the library, believes the system is in jeopardy for several reasons.
“If they put in two extremist board members who actively work against the library, meetings will continue to get more chaotic, budgets and things will continue to be stalled,” Jones said.
Jones also said that librarians don't want to work in the parish or speak out for the libraries because of in-person or online harassment.
“When I attend meetings, I've been called a groomer, a pedophile. One of the ladies that spoke the other night, she told me I was going to hell, just for supporting the library,” she said. “It's so unnecessary and uncalled for.”
"We don't ban books" Florida has REMOVED hundreds of books from schools https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...
Florida’s department of education has released a list of more than 700 books that were “removed or discontinued” from schools across the state after changes to a state law last year that allows parents and residents to challenge the content of library books.
The list comes after House Bill 1069 went into effect last July, requiring school districts to set up a mechanism for parents to object to anything they consider pornographic or inappropriate.
Since then hundreds of titles have been removed from elementary, middle and high school libraries. In Florida, 33 out of about 70 school districts banned books.
...
Members of the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a group comprised of public school parents, said the measure has led to an unprecedented rise in censorship, mostly driven by conservative interest groups, and has limited students’ access to diverse literature.
“We believe in a fair, thorough, and public objection process that ensures decisions reflect the needs of each school community - not the broad, district-wide censorship we see today that’s inspired by the vague language in HB 1069 and ‘bad book’ lists like this one,” the group said in a statement.
“Censorship is happening right here in Florida. Lists like this that include award-winning, classic literature and books about banning books cannot be spun or shoved into a narrative about extremely targeted removals,” they added.
PEN America found that Florida and Iowa recorded the highest number of book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, leading in the country with over 4,500 book bans in Florida and over 3,600 in Iowa. These bans have cost districts about $34,000 to $135,000 a year.
A study on educational censorship in Florida found a “climate of compliance, fear and stress” that threatens students’ academic performance and the well-being of both teachers and students”.
A spokesperson for Florida’s department of education told The Associated Press that there no books were being banned in Florida and defended the state’s push to remove “s--ually explicit materials” from schools.
Um no. BookLooks is not a valid review source! Cherry picking quotes and words out of context does not constitute a review! You can add what sensitive content the book contains to your review but that alone is not a review.New Jersey
https://www.insidernj.com/library-com...
Library Commission Votes to Post a 'Book Review Resource'
More from BookRiot editor Kelly JensenCalifornia
Redondo Beach parent’s comments lead to further online controls, book policy review
Two complaints aired this fall by a parent in the Redondo Unified School District have led to tightening of its online protections and a review of library and classroom book policies.
“12 years old. See something, say something,” Monique Grant said to the school board in September, then proceeded to read aloud expletive-language and stark phrases from books offered in a middle school classroom and library.
Two weeks later, she brought her child’s Chromebook and purported to show what “inappropriate” material could be summoned on it.
The books, which Grant did not name in front of the school board, are from the “Heartstopper” series by Alice Oseman. Grant came across them byway of a syllabus for parents to sign, which included information about an Adams Middle School classroom library – the books used for silent reading in class. They were also on shelves in the school’s main library.
Would this literature, as Grant described it to the RBUSD board, be in line with district policies and guidelines?
“Normally no, I wouldn’t think so,” said Board President Raymur Flinn a few days after Grant’s comments. “We absolutely have guidelines, and it’s handled through the district office.”
...
District Superintendent Nicole Wesley said soon after Grant’s testimony that RBUSD was in the process of reconvening a committee to review the existing policy.
The policy has been in effect for about three years, Wesley said, starting after the pandemic arose.
...
“To see if any changes need to be made, and then re-deseminate the policy,” Wesley said. “It’s on the list. We know we need to get this done.”
She and the committee have since done that – a small group featuring teachers, administrators and library/media technicians (library workers).
“We worked with union representatives to choose teachers,” Wesley said.
She reported Tuesday, Nov. 12, that a directive will be added to district policy to make it so material chosen for libraries and classrooms needs to be cross-referenced for age-appropriateness, with two “credible sources,” before new books appear in school and classroom libraries.
Recommended sources for this include Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, Common Sense Media, TeachingBooks and School Library Journal.
Would the excerpts Grant read at the school board meeting plausibly be from an approved book?
“I don’t know. There’s so many variables. Age level, what grade. There’s classics that have profanity,” Wesley said, after that school board meeting in September. “I just don’t know, without knowing what book she was referencing. We have a process. We’ve asked (Grant) to go through the process, so we have a better understanding of the exact book and the exact concern.”
Also, RBUSD teachers will be asked to make suggested reading lists available regarding certain topics, interest levels or coursework. Teachers should stay up-to-date on new book reviews and summaries, and publish book reviews by RBUSD staff and students.
...
“It sounds like there’s a potential cleanup needed,” RBUSD Boardmember Rolf Strutzenberg said in October. “There are things that may have been found (locally) that may be inappropriate.”
At the time of Grant’s first complaint (in September), according to Wesley one current book challenge was filed as of then, from one parent about 3-4 titles. ...
“Eight years old and 12 years old. See something, say something,” Grant said Oct. 8 to the school board, again in public comment on non-agenda items.
Then she showed what could be found on her kids’ Chromebooks, she said. “Hardcore and softcore p--n.”
“… We don’t want to oversexualize our kids. What are we doing?” Grant said. “Type ‘s--’ into a search bar. This is unacceptable.”
“We know how addictive p--n is. I have a third-grade son,” she said, talking over her allotted three minutes, plus extra time the board granted her.
Later in the Oct. 8 meeting, when it was Supt. Wesley’s turn to speak, she noted that, “I’ll work with (I.T. director) Susanna Garcia and the I.T. team to follow up on the last parent comment.”
Wesley later gave an update to Easy Reader, saying that Garcia met with Grant Oct. 15 and “I.T. worked with our internet filter vendor and students; and staff and teachers will experience a more restrictive internet experience.”
“That was the outcome. We’ll continue to monitor. It’s important to note that we can alert when (suspect) searches are made,” Wesley said. We have a system in place. I.T. does a great job. They take their work seriously in protecting students.”
“We’re looking into it all of it,” said Boardmember Rachel Silverman Nemeth. “And doing the best we can to monitor appropriately.”
Grant gave a positive report of her meeting with Garcia.
“The district added another layer of security,” she said. “Susana Garcia seemed on it. She said they added a fourth layer. They don’t know unless you give parent feedback. She was very willing to address it.”
Chromebooks start coming home with students in third grade, Grant noted.
“I feel that (the district) did listen. I think that they do take it seriously. My concern is, if it happens again, you can’t unsee or unhear something inappropriate once it’s seen,” Grant said. “I think every parent assumes the school has the highest safeguards.”
Last year, RBUSD blocked Spotify on Chromebooks, because of concerns about access to certain music.
“Kids then find the music on Youtube,” Grant said. “I ask administrators, at what point is Youtube more harmful than educational?”
She and husband Justin pulled their two kids from the district for one year, in 2022-23, in favor of home/hybrid schooling, over previous concerns. Grant has also opposed mask mandates in the district.
On Oct. 8, she and Justin sat down with Jason Kurtenbach, RBUSD executive director, student services; Andrew Estrada, Adams Middle School principal; and the teacher whose classroom library had the Alice Oseman books in question.
The session was a chance for Grant and Justin to air their concerns directly.
“Sex education in the district is in 8th-grade (opt-out available). You’re beating us to the punch,” Grant said later. “I feel like it’s an attack, of evil, on our kids. It doesn’t matter whether it’s hetero or homosexual, (the material) is not age-appropriate. There are a lot of great things, great programs, great enrichment in our school district, but this is the inappropriate s--ualized literature.”
On Oct. 23, Grant was voted onto the Adams Middle School Site Council.
“We have a process,” Supt. Wesley said. “You fill out a dispute, and the books are reviewed by a committee. Two books are being reviewed now.”
The updated guidelines are expected to take effect in December.
“It rarely happens,” Wesley said of disputes being filed.
Washington stateKelly Jensen reports: "At the most recent Centralia School Board (WA), members heard from young people who could articulate why they might not choose to read The Poet X but that it wasn’t being forced upon them…while community “adults” played the “p____graphy” story out about how the book is inappropriate."
https://www.chronline.com/stories/att...
Attendees debate appropriateness of novel during Centralia School Board meeting
Centralia High School sophomore Embry Anna Schluter told members of the Centralia School Board Thursday that while a few of the poems in the 2018 novel The Poet X “have mature themes,” the book is “not inappropriate.”
“If some parents don’t want their kids to read it, then that’s their choice, and I support that,” Schluter said. “However, there are also several other books that could have been chosen to read.”
Recently, the book has become a hot topic in the district, with some parents saying its themes and subject matter are inappropriate for students. In a recent publisher’s note commentary, Chronicle Owner and Publisher Chad Taylor wrote that the "inclusion of a book with explicit content not only distracts from essential learning but also places teachers in the uncomfortable position of discussing topics that many families believe should be addressed at home.”
In the note, which was written and published independently from The Chronicle’s newsroom, Taylor encouraged parents to attend Thursday’s meeting. Taylor’s note appears to largely mirror an Oct. 29 post from Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope, with several sections of the note reflecting the post nearly verbatim.
Swope, who was not in attendance Thursday, introduced his own proposal last fall for the Timberland Library System to adopt a book rating system, a proposal county commissioners do not have the authority to adopt or enforce.
...
Attendees of Thursday’s meeting were largely supportive of keeping the book as an optional reading material in the high school, though it wasn’t without its detractors.
Tricia Ziese, director of community outreach at Bethel Church, said she attended the meeting in her personal capacity. During her comments, Ziese said she found the book “very damaging, especially for our students, and youth, who have been affected by s--ual abuse.”
“I can’t imagine anybody advocating that this book should be read in schools to 14-year-olds,” Ziese said.
Lauren Miller, who said she had children in the district, said she didn’t want their "curriculum to be determined by other parents' personal opinions.” In her remarks, Miller read the next two pages of the book.
“No one ever actually has s-x or does drugs in the book,” Miller said. “It honestly has an extremely wholesome message about learning good communication and how to manage teenage emotions.”
Illinois-The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was removed after being used for several years in 12th-grade curriculum at Waterloo Public Schools after some complaints on Facebook.
https://www.republictimes.net/book-ba...
Anonymous posts on Stand Up For Students- Waterford Facebook page
Principal Tim McDermott said the book has been removed from the mandatory reading list and replaced with another even though several students were enjoying reading the book.
The first individual couldn't even NAME the book yet objects to s---ual content and profanity.
Board member Nathan Mifflin is married to Stand Up For Students-Waterloo administrator Elizabeth Mifflin
QNPoohBear wrote: "Illinois-The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was removed after being used for several years in 12th-grade curriculum at Waterloo Public Schools after some complaints on Facebook.
http..."
These people are going to bankrupt me. Every time a book is banned, I buy and copy.
https://thenevadaindependent.com/arti...Two allies of Moms For Liberty earned spots on the Clark County School Board (NV). One ran on the same myths about naughty books pushed by the group.
Lydia Dominguez and Lorena Biassotti’s victories were part of the mini red wave in Nevada that secured the Silver State for President-elect Donald Trump.
During their campaigns, Biassotti (also known as Lorena Cardenas), who will represent District E, and Dominguez, who will represent District B, played up concerns around library books that mention sex, sexuality or gender identities and a district policy that supports students of diverse gender identities. It follows a 2017 bill, SB225, that was signed into law by Republican then-Gov. Brian Sandoval and requires all public schools, including charter schools, to address “the rights and needs of people with diverse gender identities or expressions.”
Their messages were reinforced by the local Moms for Liberty chapter that launched in Clark County last year and has been pushing for these books to be removed from school libraries, accusing district officials and school staff of attempting to “groom” students.
While the incoming trustees left the Moms for Liberty Clark County chapter earlier this year, they have both said they still support the group’s agenda.
This platform is likely to be blocked by Trustees Linda Cavazos, Brenda Zamora and Ramona Esparza-Stoffregan, who had endorsed Dominguez and Biassotti’s opponents.
The incoming trustee for District C, Tameka Henry, said in an Oct. 16 interview that she believes the school board should be focusing on improving students’ literacy rates rather than banning books.
The incoming trustee for District A, Emily Stevens, said prior to the election that she had rejected an endorsement from the chapter.
“I said … I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't want to be aligned with you,” Stevens said in a Sept. 24 interview. “You guys don't have a good reputation and I don't know everything that you stand for.”
Cavazos has previously referred to the national organization as a “cancer” that should not be allowed to spread. But, in a written statement Monday, Cavazos said she’s personally not concerned about Biassotti’s and Dominguez’s addition to the board as long as everyone works collaboratively to benefit Clark County School District’s (CCSD) students.
...
While Dominguez said she plans to work with district parents, staff, students and taxpayers of all backgrounds and affiliations, she won’t compromise on what she believes is best for children.
Dominguez said she doesn’t believe in its children’s best interest when parents support changing their child’s gender identity or playing on a sports team that doesn’t align with their sex assigned at birth.
“I truly believe that we need to protect girls in their spaces and their bathrooms and sports,” Dominguez said. “This isn't an attack on anyone on how they want to look or how they want to dress, but I just believe that we need to protect those spaces for girls.”
Dominguez calls for an audit of all CCSD library books to identify any materials containing s--ually explicit content.
“This is about protecting children and ensuring our libraries remain appropriate spaces for students of all ages,” Dominguez said in a Wednesday written statement. She added that she has not discussed this with anyone from Moms for Liberty nor does she have a list of specific books in question.
Last Thursday, the school tentatively approved a change to its regulation on instructional materials, which includes the process for challenging school library books. The revised version, which requires a second approval by the board before its implementation, states that supplemental textbooks and library books will remain available for use while they are under the review process, unless a committee decides otherwise.
If a school’s library committee opts to remove a book or if a decision is appealed, a central committee would conduct a final review.
CCSD librarian Glenda Alberti told the school board last week that the changes would shore up weaknesses in the challenge process that could be exploited by individuals submitting challenges.
Moms for Liberty Clark County chapter Chair Yadusha Jones questioned the timing of the proposed revision, which is scheduled for a second hearing, and possible vote, Dec. 12, in a Nov. 15 social media post.
“It’s hard not to see this as a way to silence the new trustees and push out a last hooray,” she wrote. “Parents should have a say in what their children are exposed to.”
[It gets worse from here...]
(view spoiler)
New MexicoAs per Kelly Jensen: "The North Carolina pastor who has been making a name for himself trying to ban books in schools made an appearance at the Albuquerque Public Schools (NM) board meeting to stir up nonsense. Note that there were no actual books discussed, per the reporting here, but instead, a lot of nonsense about naughty books and LGBTQ+ books."
https://www.krqe.com/news/education/c...
Community protests ignite heated debate over book bans at Albuquerque school board meeting
Heated protests erupted outside of an Albuquerque Public Schools board meeting Wednesday evening. Social media posts from a local church and from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups spurred more than a hundred members of the community to show up in protest and to support a speaker that one board member called “problematic.”
If you support perverted books being in schools, you’re either a pervert or an ally of perversion,” said Pastor John Amanchukwu. Amanchukwu, a pastor from North Carolina, is known for advocating for the removal of what he calls “perverse” books in schools.
After news of his visit to Albuquerque circulated on social media, both those for and against the issue showed up at an APS school board meeting.
Some residents outside shared why they showed up, “to protect the right to literature and the right for children to be respected in schools, regardless of their identity, gender or sexuality,” said Stephanie Garcia.
“We’re not against, you know, the LGBTQ system or any of anybody else’s beliefs. All we’re asking is that school would be focused on your education,” said Arianna Escalante.
Inside the building, board members heard from dozens who spoke during the meeting’s public forum who pushed back against “book banning”. “That’s why I believe any ban on books involving LGBTQ+ content is not only misdirected, but harmful for our kids,” said one speaker.
Others argue that banning certain books protects children, “After all, he was eight, how could I expect him to understand these ideas? I no longer viewed my relationship with the school as a partnership but as a threat to my family’s religious beliefs.”
APS said in a statement:
While we respect differing opinions on these kinds of topics, we need to be clear: For both the Board of Education and Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, our biggest challenge in Albuquerque Public Schools is improving student outcomes.
Clearly, issues such as those brought up during public comment are important. That said, the board and the district are committed to following the law and ensuring the safety of our children. We appreciate robust public debate, but we’re also aware the overriding issue at APS is making certain our students are proficient in math and reading; are college and career ready; and have the skills needed to operate in the world long after they leave us. That’s the mandate the community has given us, and it’s one we will pursue with passion.
APS Board President Danielle Gonzales
There were no measures on the school board agenda Wednesday night regarding a book ban.
Gonzales issued the following statement on Thursday:
“I want to be unequivocally clear, the APS Board is not banning books, is not repealing protections for LGBTQIA+ youth, and is not allowing out-of-state political extremists to drive our agenda. We remain committed to improving student outcomes, to fostering safe and supportive learning environments, and preparing all students for life success. When we ban books and restrict ideas, even in the name of safety, we aren’t protecting our kids. We are censoring free thought and discussion, preventing parents from making individual decisions about what children can learn, and harming our kids’ education. Wanting to make sure material is age-appropriate is a valid concern for many parents. That’s why teachers are trained to teach about difficult subjects in an age-appropriate way. Gradually introducing topics at a pace they can handle builds on childrens’ natural curiosity and empathy as they learn about their world.”
Ivonne wrote: "These people are going to bankrupt me. Every time a book is banned, I buy and copy.."
There are THOUSANDS of them!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
I go to the library and support the freedom to read. Buying the books is great for the author but the argument is... these books are available for parents to purchase for their kids if they choose. Ban them from schools and libraries. I also bought a Read Banned Books shirt from the library fundraiser and bought tons of books from their book sale to send to Florida.
AND TANGO MAKES THREE Authors Seek Settlement in Escambia County School Lawsuithttps://bookriot.com/escambia-county-...
"This week, however, the Selendy Gay attorneys working on behalf of Parnell and Richardson have filed a motion for a summary judgement to U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor. The motion would allow Winsor to make a decision on the case without it having to go to trial, and in this case, the attorneys filed the motion based on two significant pieces of evidence that have emerged: first, the educational value of And Tango Makes Three and the lack of evidence proving that the book is harmful in the educational system and second, the personal anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs of the school board members as revealed by destroyed evidence uncovered during seven months of discovery."
The Hidden Cost of Defending Books: Freedom to Read Advocates Speak Out - PEN Americahttps://pen.org/the-hidden-cost-of-de...
Authors Against Book Bans demand publishers prepare for 2025.https://lithub.com/authors-against-bo...
The letter highlights what authors need from book publishers in the years to come, knowing that Trump will usher in a “pro-censorship, pro-book-banning administration, and the successful implementation of its policies will require willing compliance of America’s institutions, including its corporations.”
Among the organization’s demands are that publishers “be unequivocal in your support of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC authors,” “be more aggressive and more public in fighting book bans and censorship,” and “refuse to provide “ratings” of books that goes beyond the current industry standard categorization of books by age group.”
Post election, Oregon educators anticipate classroom censorship Currently, more than 40 laws in 22 states restrict teaching about race, gender, history and queer identities.
Oregon is not immune to this trend, with 93 book-removal attempts last year, a 30-year record. Educators recently shared their experiences with censorship at the Teaching Truth forum.
https://kiowacountypress.net/content/...
Debating banned books at Poughkeepsie High School (New York state) : A local perspective https://miscellanynews.org/2024/11/20...
Book bans and you: How censorship will influence our future | The A&T Registerhttps://ncatregister.com/22715/the-wo...
Defending Banned Books’ guest authors talk censorship, politicsA Syracuse University student-led panel hosted authors Julie Berry and Seamus Kirst for a discussion about the political implications of book banning and censorship
https://dailyorange.com/2024/11/defen...
Florida-Ban This Book to remain off shelves in Indian River schools; School Board won't un-ban it
https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/loc...
The book by Alan Gratz was removed from district shelves in May after it was challenged because it contained references to other books that had been removed because of s--ually explicit content. The district's book-review committee recommended the book remain in the schools, but the School Board overruled the recommendation in a split 3-2 vote.
But now, with a new member on the board, the five-member body was set to discuss bringing back the book, something board Chair Teri Barenborg said last month she planned to do. The board majority shifted in August with the election of David Dyer over Kevin McDonald, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Dyer took the oath of office on Tuesday.
Barenborg announced at Monday's meeting, however, she had removed the item from the agenda "in the spirit of board unity."
This is big (and good) news: a federal judge says that the school board of Escambia County Schools must testify in the lawsuit filed against them.https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/...
VirginiaKelly Jensen of BooKRiot reports: "A mom is upset over violence depicted in a manga her son bought at a school Scholastic Book Fair in Richmond County, Virginia, schools. The book was removed from every book fair in the meantime while the district “investigates.” The kid was 6, the book is for 8-12 year olds."
https://richmondobserver.com/local-ne...
The mother of a student at Mineral Springs Elementary says she was appalled by what she found in a book brought home by her son — and is warning parents to pay attention to what their children are consuming.
Nikki Fletcher says her 6-year-old son, a first-grader, picked out the manga “Unico: Awakening” from the Scholastic Book Fair at his school on Tuesday because he loves to draw and “thought it would have cool illustrations.”
“I told him to get what he wanted because I never expected gun violence to be a part of a book fair for children of any age, and offered IN SCHOOLS at that!” she said in a Facebook post that she also shared in the group What’s Up Richmond County. “I mean, why would I?”
After her son got home, she says he came to her with questions.
When Fletcher looked through the book, she found depictions of gun violence and animal abuse.
Fletcher took photos of the cover of the book and one page spread, with the panels showing a man kicking a cat and firing a handgun at the feline character.
Scholastic provides a 26-page preview on its website, but doesn’t show anything that graphic. The recommended readership for the book is listed as ages 8-12 or grades 3-7.
“To say I was shocked is an understatement when Wes showed me what was in that book,” Fletcher said. “Personally, I feel like the Scholastic book company should be held accountable for making this available to our children.”
Fletcher added that she is not anti-gun, but doesn’t believe a book like that should be made available to younger children.
...
Fletcher said she doesn’t blame the school or the staff.
“They seemed to be as surprised as I was, and removed the books immediately,” Fletcher said.
Copies have also been removed from across the district.
“We are aware of the issue and take all parent concerns seriously,” Cameron Whitley, executive director of communications for Richmond County Schools, told the RO in an email Thursday. “The book has been removed from the current Scholastic Book Fairs to allow us time to review the concern and reach out to (S)cholastic.”
The years’ long battle over Garfield County Public Library (CO) continues, with ongoing lies about the “pornography” in the collection and debate over who should be in charge of the library.https://www.postindependent.com/news/...
Stalemate continues between Garfield County Commissioners and library trustees over appointment process
The Garfield Board of County Commissioners, Garfield County Public Library District Board of Trustees and a multitude of community members gathered at the county administration building to discuss an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) outlining the trustee appointment and reappointment process during a special meeting on Thursday.
An updated IGA, which has been in the works since the library district and county exchanged initial edits in March, was not finalized during the over three-hour long meeting, which quickly turned to a discussion of restricted access to adult books in Garfield County libraries.
“Just speaking to women who are mothers and grandmothers, why in the world would you want your children to be subject to filth? No, there were very reasonable requests that were made before this board (of trustees),” Commissioner Mike Samson said. “No, dig in our heels. That’s why we’re at this meeting at this time, and it’s sad. All it does is defy our county, and there are forces that want to push it as far as they can to a court case and spend needless amounts of money. How very sad. So, Mr. Chairman, I cannot support and would advise, and we’re not making any decisions today.”
...
Although the IGA was not finalized, the meeting gave community members in the audience ample time to share their views on the appointment process and discuss restricting access to certain adult books, including those featuring LGBTQ+ characters.
“I’m just telling you my perspective because I said it a lot during the campaign because this became a campaign issue which is just mind boggling to me actually,” incoming Garfield County commissioner, and Colorado State Senator Perry Will said. “Without knowing all the ins and outs of it I just said, look, I’m not a book banner, I’m not for banning books. I am for protecting children. And that’s kind of where I left it on the campaign trail.”
Restricted access to books has been a hot-button topic since commissioners passed Resolution 24-12 earlier this year, which put the trustee appointment process back in the hands of county commissioners. The resolution was passed after a petition calling for restricted access to Manga for adult readers in Garfield County libraries was created in 2023. The library district had declined to restrict access to any books.
“We received a letter from one of the frequent speakers that started with ‘Why the big push with gay books, gay pride for a month, replaced with family pride.’ It says ban no book, but put gay pride books on the top shelf so parents can guide their children on what books to read,” John Mallonee, trustee board member at large, said.
Mallonee then referenced SB24-216, Standards for Decisions Regarding Library Resources, which was passed earlier this year. The law establishes specified standards public libraries are required to comply with when establishing policies regarding the acquisition, retention, display, use, and reconsideration of library resources and use of public library facilities.
“That prohibits removing library materials based on particular ethnic origin, ethnic background, gender identity, and issues like that,” Mallonee said. “So we as a board have to be very careful when responding to the public on issues that go to what we have received.”
Indiana- wow!Kelly Jensen of BookRiot writes: “Those in attendance asked the council to consider removing their library board appointees from their positions, claiming that they “do not protect children” because the library allows gay, transgender and sexual content in the young adult section.” You read that right. It’s not even hidden bigotry driving people in Elkhart, Indiana, to demand the Middlebury Public Library have a new board. They’re just saying it outright.
https://www.goshennews.com/middlebury...
Lamar Independent School District (TX) is following in the footsteps of Katy ISD and banning any/all books about “gender fluidity” from the schools.https://communityimpact.com/houston/k...
Lamar Consolidated ISD will remove and restrict books pertaining to gender fluidity from school libraries and instructional material.
This 5-1 vote from trustees on Nov. 19 followed on the heels of other Houston-area school districts who also made changes to their library materials policies. Trustee Suzanne Box was not in attendance, and trustee Kay Danziger voted against the item.
The district’s Policy Committee—on which trustees Jon Welch, Jacci Hotzel and Box serve—proposed the revisions to the Local FA policy, also called the Parent Rights and Responsibilities policy, and the Local EFB policy, called Instructional Resources Library Materials.
According to agenda documents, the policies were revised to note the following changes:
All materials in elementary, middle school and junior high libraries that are “adopting, supporting or promoting gender fluidity” will be removed from district libraries
Materials in high school libraries that relate to gender fluidity will be restricted, requiring parents to opt-in for their child to access it
Gender fluidity cannot be discussed in the classroom or included in instructional materials
Staff cannot discuss gender fluidity, or diagnose or treat students with gender dysphoria
The revisions were made to “strengthen” and “align” LCISD's policy with the state’s House Bill 900, said Hotzel, who is the Policy Committee chair, and board President Zach Lambert.
Lawmakers passed HB 900 in the 2023 Legislature, which prohibits schools from purchasing or displaying books that are “s--ually explicit" or "pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable," according to the bill text. The bill doesn’t mention gender-related materials.
“I think a lot of the policies—some of the changes in [LCISD's policy]—they’re there to protect, they’re there to guide, they’re to say, ‘OK, these are the parameters we’re going to go through safely,” Lambert said.
The board debated the necessity of the new policies, considering the potential impact it could have on retention efforts for teachers and librarians, and the broader educational environment.
Danziger, the dissenting vote, said she believes changes the board made to the Parent Rights and Responsibilities policy last May already prohibit discussions and material relating to gender. Additionally, she said she hoped the policy wouldn't prohibit teachers from discussing non-traditional families, including those with members of the LGBTQ community.
“As a first grade teacher, we teach family, and I don’t want to ever tell a teacher they can’t use a book that shows non-traditional families, because we all know they’re out there,” she said. “We know there’s families with mothers, we know there’s families with fathers, with grandmothers, with maybe two fathers, two mothers, but they’re all families.”
Hotzel said the policy doesn’t extend to prohibiting discussions about families, and the committee aimed for the policy to define gender identity, which is prohibited from being discussed.
“Let’s say a child in elementary school does choose to transition—that’s fine, that’s the parent’s choice—that based on this definition, no one is going to go in and tell the entire class or speak to the entire class on it," Hotzel said. "It’s just going to be between the parent and the child and the administration.”
However, a LCISD spokesperson said in an email the existing policy states classroom instruction, announcements on human sexuality or messaging of gender-related concepts won't be given in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Meanwhile, Welch said he believes district staff shouldn’t adjust for students’ “every little whim and nuance,” and doing so would cause “total chaos for society.” While he said discussions about gender fluidity aren't happening in LCISD classrooms, the policy aims to be proactive.
“Let’s be proactive and let’s put some parameters around these things so that students can learn about this at home if they want," he said. "Secondary students can learn about this in school with parent notification; this is something definitely we don’t want our elementary students being taught from the school system.”
150 books removed from Rotherford, Tenn. school libraries[One guess as to where the list came from]
https://www.alternet.org/tennessee-bo...
Rutherford County school librarians’ phones started buzzing with traded messages of fear and frustration as soon as the central office email directive arrived on an otherwise routine Tuesday morning:
150 book titles had to be removed from the shelves – or tracked down and taken from kids who had borrowed them.
Immediately.
“Librarians had to drop everything they were doing: no more checking books in and out, no answering questions or assisting with research, not able to do the jobs they love to do. Some even had to shut down their library for the day,” said Elizabeth Shepherd, librarian at the Discovery School in Murfreesboro who described the frantic text message exchanges among fellow librarians that ensued.
“Instead, they had to make their first priority book removal, not just taking them off the shelves but also taking them out of the hands of students, a process that is literally heartbreaking as a librarian.”
The books were removed without formal review by school board members, librarians, teachers or parents less than 24 hours after an emailed request to Rutherford County Director of Schools James Sullivan from a school board member.
“Per state law, here is a list of 150 books that have been challenged for s--ually explicit content,” read the Nov. 11 email from board member Francis Rosales. “Please review the attached documents for violations related to s--ually explicit material in school libraries,” the email said.
Rosales cited newly enacted Tennessee legislation that bars books that contain nudity and descriptions of “s---al excitement, s--ual conduct, excess violence or sadomasochistic abuse” and attached “pages of concern” for each title.
“It was partly because of accusations that we were having those types of books in our school libraries, so I took it upon myself to do this,” Rosales told the Lookout on Thursday. “My goal is if we are accused of having these books we should tackle this now.”
But the speed with which the school district pulled books that include American classics such as “A Clockwork Orange’’ and “Catch-22,” along with LGBTQ-theme titles including, “Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens,” created a firestorm that spilled into public view at a Nov. 14 board meeting.
School board member Katie Darby accused Rosales of including books to be banned that “have no business being on there” and “wasting people’s time.” Rosales questioned whether Darby supported having s--ally explicit materials available to children. The board chair gavelled to a close the testy exchange that followed.
Tennessee’s newly enacted school library statute, in effect since July 1, expands upon a 2022 law requiring school libraries to regularly review book collections to ensure only age-appropriate reading materials are available to students.
The new law, which received unanimous support from Tennessee Republican lawmakers, further defined objectionable books as those containing s---ally explicit passages, nudity and excess violence but failed to define what those terms mean.
The vagueness of the law’s language has drawn sharp criticism from educators and civil liberties advocates who warn the legislation could be interpreted to encompass a vast range of children and young adult books.
“Public Chapter 782 is the source of this chaos and confusion for school librarians in Tennessee, as it creates a way for unchallenged books to be removed from the shelves, does not take into account the age or maturity level of the student, and it encourages self-censorship,” the Tennessee Association of School Librarians said in a statement.
The association said the law has put educators in the position of deciding on whether books meet new “legal standards that have not been adequately explained by the State of Tennessee in the form of guidance.”
As a result, public school officials have requested an attorney general’s opinion to help them comply with the law. Districts, including Rutherford County, have deferred decisions on how to create new guidelines to review challenged books until they receive that decision. A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office declined to comment on the status of any opinion Friday.
....
Rosales told the Lookout she had also relied on the Wilson County book list and Booklook.org for help in compiling her list of 150 questionable books.
Rosales compared the 400 books Wilson County educators have pulled from library shelves to book ratings by BookLooks.org, she said. She then compared books the website rated poorly for explicit content, expletives and violence to books available in Rutherford County school libraries to arrive at her list, she said.
“It’s a dirty look at the books,” Magnusson said. “Even the scenes they quote are often out of context. They don’t evaluate books as a whole or work under any guiding principles.”
In Rutherford County, librarians are currently reviewing each of the 150 books being challenged, according to a district spokesperson.
Librarians will compare book content to the language of the state law to make recommendations on which books should be permanently removed by the end of the year, the spokesperson said. The district has authorized $1,000 in compensation to librarians conducting the reviews.
The school board will then vote on retaining or removing individual books. Until those votes are cast, the books will remain unavailable to students.
MotanaGreat Falls, Montana, commissioners voted to remove some funding for the public library and funnel it into public safety
https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/11/22...
Update on the case of the teacher who sued several parties following a police raid of her Massachusetts classroom. The police were looking for an alleged copy of Gender Queer.https://theberkshireedge.com/gender-q...
‘Gender Queer’ case goes on: Attorneys for former teacher Galdós-Shapiro file objections on motions for dismissal of case
"The GB Defendants [the town, Chief Storti, and Officer O’Brien], and Dr. Dillion, knew there was no potential crime,” Galdós-Shapiro’s attorneys write in the filing.
On Monday, November 25, attorneys for former W.E.B. Du Bois Middle School teacher Arantzazú Zuzene Galdós-Shapiro filed objections in United States District Court over motions to dismiss her civil rights lawsuit.
In a December 2023 incident that made national headlines, the Great Barrington Police Department investigated Galdós-Shapiro, who at the time was an eighth grade ELA teacher at W.E.B. Du Bois Middle School, in response to an anonymous complaint that she had a copy of the graphic novel “Gender Queer” in her classroom.
Galdós-Shapiro, who eventually left the school district and moved out of Berkshire County to Philadelphia, previously filed a civil rights lawsuit in the United States District Court against the town, Police Chief Paul Storti, Police Officer Joseph O’Brien, and Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon.
The lawsuit against Superintendent Dillon is separate from the lawsuit against the town, Chief Storti, and Officer O’Brien.
In August, Galdós-Shapiro’s attorneys filed an amended complaint with multiple new allegations against the defendants. In September, however, the attorney representing the town, police department, and school district made a motion in United States District Court to have the lawsuit dismissed. In October, Superintendent Dillon’s attorney also filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed.
In response, Galdós-Shapiro’s attorneys filed oppositions to the two separate motions to dismiss on Monday, November 25.
In the response to the motions to dismiss, Galdós-Shapiro’s attorneys argue:
The GB Defendants’ motion to dismiss is an attempt to silence a uniquely vulnerable individual, a queer Mexican-American woman married to a trans woman, who had the temerity to seek to assert her right to her own identity by maintaining her personal copy of an award-winning book, ‘Gender Queer’ in her classroom. Allowing the motion [to dismiss] would ratify the steps each of the defendants took to radically undermine Galdós-Shapiro’s constitutional rights and her security in simply existing as herself. Ms. Galdós-Shapiro respectfully submits that the Court should not do so and should therefore deny the Motion.
The GB Defendants, with the help of defendant [Dillon] blockaded Ms. Galdós-Shapiro in her classroom, interrogated her about the existence of an award-winning book, ‘Gender Queer’ and accused Ms. Galdós-Shapiro, on more than one occasion, of committing crimes for expressing who she is in a work environment. Officer O’Brien went so far as to block his body camera to communicate a clear message to Ms. Galdós-Shapiro: anything might happen now. Ms. Galdós-Shapiro was trapped, suffering the blowback of expressing her own views. The GB Defendants elect not to confront these allegations on their face and instead mislabel them as just as ‘investigation.’
The GB Defendants’ ‘investigation,’ should never have begun at all. Had any of them taken a moment to do an internet search of ‘Gender Queer’ they would immediately have learned that it is an acclaimed book which has won a number of awards, and could not be the basis for any criminal action.
Nevertheless, while the police report itself concedes that the GB Defendants never even looked at the full book or did anything to seek to understand what it was, they proceeded on the bare assumption that it amounted to pornography. That is not probable cause or reasonable suspicion; it is a guess that a confidential complainant’s assessment of a couple of pages of a book is right. The GB Defendants’ suggestion that they were actually investigating the spurious allegation that children sat on Ms. Galdós’s lap, and not just ‘Gender Queer’, finds no purchase. The Amended Complaint alleges that the GB Defendants’ actions were based on just one thing: ‘Gender Queer’.
Ms. Galdós-Shapiro placed ‘Gender Queer’ in her classroom to take a stand, to express her own identity and her own views on an issue of public concern; nothing in her role as a teacher or the narrow administrative responsibilities she had as the advisor to the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (‘GSA’) even suggested she had to or should do anything substantive on LGBTQ+ issues at all.
“The GB Defendants [the town, Chief Storti, and Officer O’Brien], and Dr. Dillion, knew there was no potential crime,” Galdós-Shapiro’s attorneys write in the filing. “Including because ‘Gender Queer’ does not remotely fall within the definition of Obscenity under M.G.L. c 272, Section 29 (the ‘Obscenity Act’), and maintaining ‘Gender Queer’ in the classroom is far afield from any potential crime.”
Additionally, the attorneys for Galdós-Shapiro argue that both Chief Storti and Officer O’Brien should not be protected under qualified immunity under United States Code 1983 Civil Action for Deprivation of Rights.
"Dr. Dillon intentionally joined with the Great Barrington Police Department (‘GBPD’) Defendants to isolate Ms. Galdós-Shapiro in her classroom for the purpose of interrogating her about the existence of an award-winning book and, thereafter, to accuse Ms. Galdós-Shapiro of committing crimes. Indeed, Dr. Dillon went so far as to instruct law enforcement about when and how to undertake the search and even ensured that the principal, Miles Wheat (‘Principal Wheat’), could not step in to protect Ms. Galdós-Shapiro’s secured rights. Dr. Dillon did all of this with the knowledge that there was an established, available and agreed upon process, which he himself had approved and implemented, for raising any objection to a book which, to state the obvious, was not a criminal process.
Dr. Dillon also knew that as a queer Mexican American woman married to a trans woman, Ms. Galdós-Shapiro had placed the at-issue book, ‘Gender Queer’, in her classroom in order to express her own personal identity and her stance on issues that were (and remain) close to her heart. Indeed, he discussed the book with Defendant Officer Joseph O’Brien (‘Defendant O’Brien’) prior to the unlawful search and interrogation, and later sent an email to the school community explaining the importance and value of ‘Gender Queer’. Dr. Dillon knew precisely how traumatic it would be for Ms. Galdós-Shapiro to be subject to being physically trapped in her classroom and accused of crimes for expressing who she is in a work environment. Had he (or any of the other defendants) taken even a moment to consider the at-issue book, he would have immediately understood it was a critically acclaimed book of great value, not pornographic and could not rationally implicate criminal obscenity laws.
In an effort to sanitize his successful targeting of Ms. Galdós-Shapiro he argues, essentially, that this is a complicated, nuanced, thorny area of the law, and nothing exactly like this had happened before so the Court cannot hold Dr. Dillon to account. In making his arguments, Dr. Dillon improperly asks the Court to ignore the well-pled allegations of the Amended Complaint, reverses the burden on a motion to dismiss and turns on its head that if there is no case on all fours with this one exactly it is because the behavior of the Defendants here in general, and of Dr. Dillon in particular, is so outrageous."
QNPoohBear wrote: "VirginiaKelly Jensen of BooKRiot reports: "A mom is upset over violence depicted in a manga her son bought at a school Scholastic Book Fair in Richmond County, Virginia, schools. The book was rem..."
It's Scholastic! How bad can it be?
QNPoohBear wrote: "In an effort to sanitize his successful targeting of Ms. Galdós-Shapiro he argues, essentially, that this is a complicated, nuanced, thorny area of the law, and nothing exactly like this had happened before so the Court cannot hold Dr. Dillon to account."So, by this logic, the federal authorities were terribly unfair to John Wilkes Booth, as no one had ever assassinated an American president before, so the government should not have held Mr. Booth to account.
Tennessee schools ban popular manga titlesTennessee schools have removed numerous manga titles from libraries following updates to state obscenity laws.
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...
In the past two months, two school districts in Tennessee have listed the books, including manga series, that they have removed from school libraries. Other school districts in Tennessee are considering how to comply with a new state law this year to limit books in school libraries.
The Rutherford County Schools removed over 150 titles from its school libraries on November 11 after board member Frances Rosales flagged them a day earlier. The first eight volumes of Yūsei Matsui's Assassination Classroom manga and volume 1 of Atsushi Ōkubo's Fire Force are among the titles under review.
Another board member, Caleb Tidwell, said that the titles were sexually explicit under school board policy and state obscenity laws. During a September board meeting, one of Tidwell's supporters for banning the books said that they contained "p----graphic material."
The removal follows an earlier list of banned books from Tidwell in February, which contained 35 books not part of the district's curriculum, but available in the libraries. The district has 60 days to review the books before deciding to return them to libraries or permanently ban them.
Another school district in Tennessee, Wilson County Schools, listed on October 24 about 400 titles that it has removed from school libraries.
Rosales told Chalkbeat, a news organization dedicated to education in America, that she used Wilson County's list of removed books as well as the Book Looks website to compile the list of books to remove in Rutherford County Schools. (School districts in other states removed books such as Assassination Classroom partly on the basis of reviews on Book Looks last year.)
Rosales told Chalkbeat, a news organization dedicated to education in America, that she used Wilson County's list of removed books as well as the Book Looks website to compile the list of books to remove in Rutherford County Schools. (School districts in other states removed books such as Assassination Classroom partly on the basis of reviews on Book Looks last year.)
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Utah Bans 14th Book From Schools Statewide
The 16-year-old book LIVING DEAD GIRL must be removed from every public school across the state of Utah.
"Utah passed one of the most restrictive book ban laws in the previous legislative session and now, we’re seeing the ongoing results of that new law. House Bill 29 allows parents to challenge books they deem “sensitive material” while also outright banning books from public schools if those books have been deemed “objective sensitive material” or “p----graphic” per state code in at least three school districts or two school districts and five charter schools statewide. This law means that once a book has been banned in three public school districts or two districts and five charter schools, it is added to a statewide list of books banned from every one of those public institutions throughout Utah.
The law, which went into effect July 1, applied retroactively, meaning that every school needed to submit to the Utah State Board of Education the titles that had been deemed against the law in their district. Now, any time a public or charter school removes a book deemed “sensitive material,” they must notify the State Board of Education. If that book now meets the threshold of removals, all schools will be notified and expected to dispose of it.
Elizabeth Scott’s Living Dead Girl, an award-winning book published for teens in 2008. The 16 year old book will need to be pulled from every public school and charter district throughout the state.
The book was banned after the state compiled reported bans from districts across the state. Scott’s book had been banned in Davis, Washington County, and Tooele County Schools. Every public school in the state is now required to dispose of the book. It is unclear how, exactly, districts plan to get rid of the books, as the law makes two stipulations: the books cannot be sold or distributed. It is up to each district to create a policy, begging the question of what other methods of disposal will be implemented.
Of note, every title on the state banned list, save for one, is written by a woman. The average age of the books banned statewide is 14 years old, a reminder that the vast majority of books being censored throughout the country–and in Utah specifically–are nowhere near “new” books.
The list is not only a clear statement about the power a few can wield but it is also a statement about the state of public education. These book bans apply only to public schools, opening up the convenient argument from those power-wielding groups that if other parents don’t like the decision, they can simply send their students to private school or homeschool them. Utah also passed an updated voucher scheme this past legislative session."