Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
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Discussion of censorship, equity, and other concerns.
Are there any books LEFT in South Carolina schools? This is ridiculous!SC Board of Education bans 4 more books: See the list
https://www.greenvilleonline.com/stor...
Movie review'The Librarians' Review: A Passionate and In-Depth Look at Book Bannings in the U.S. | Sundance 2025
https://collider.com/the-librarians-m...
The news is so truly awful today, I'm sure you can't look but here's the latest SO STUPID book ban news. BAN Libs of TikTok not the books. The Rainbow Parade book ignites controversy at Penfield school board meeting
https://13wham.com/news/local/the-rai...#
Those opposed the book said it contains inappropriate images, with some characters appearing scantly clad during a Pride event in a city.
Jennifer Selever said her fifth-grade daughter brought home the book, which is accessible in a school library to students as young as kindergarten.
Tuesday's incident gained attention on social media, with Elon Musk tweeting about the meeting and incorrectly claiming a kindergartener brought the book home.
Prior to the commotion Tuesday night, the board was explaining how those objecting to material goes forward. In short, there’s a process.
"The regulation helps us with acting out, following thorough," Superintendent Tasha Potter said. "It’s the 'how' of the policy."
Potter said she needs to designate a review committee, which then submits a report with any evidence found.
If something is found, “the challenged material will only be removed from the specific district library media center or school building where the objection was filed," said Potter — unless the committee recommends otherwise.
Prior to the commotion Tuesday night, the board was explaining how those objecting to material goes forward. In short, there’s a process.
"The regulation helps us with acting out, following thorough," Superintendent Tasha Potter said. "It’s the 'how' of the policy."
Potter said she needs to designate a review committee, which then submits a report with any evidence found.
If something is found, “the challenged material will only be removed from the specific district library media center or school building where the objection was filed," said Potter — unless the committee recommends otherwise.
Some parents from the crowd asked if the journey for books to get into the libraries is as lengthy as this process seems to be.
______________________________________
Insightful comment by PlantTrees:
"The real headline: Parents bring book objection to the board meeting 2 months in a row, instead of following policy, to ignite drama in the community. To the school community, this is not news. This was brought up in last months meeting as well with a district wide communication outlining how to report an objections to a book in the school. The parents chose drama and chaos instead of doing something productive.
Not in the mainstream news, found under Florida Freedom to Read's Blue Sky account:An Ocala high school senior asked school board members to support the removal of book and website bans in the state of Florida that she claims are “extremely unhelpful” and are “depriving students of being able to think for themselves.”
Chloe Kostowicz, who is a senior at Forest High School, presented her comments during the Marion County School Board meeting on Tuesday, February 11.
Kostowicz, who is a Wing Commander in her school’s AFJROTC program and was crowned Homecoming Queen last fall, was one of two students permitted to sit in as honorary board members for the evening.
After three board members expressed their excitement to attend an upcoming legislative session, Kostowicz asked if she could interject to make the members aware of an issue beforehand.
“I’d be doing my school a disservice, as well as my students and Marion County, if I didn’t mention the banned book policy as well as the website policy,” said Kostowicz. The student said she and her classmates are unable to access certain books and websites that she believes are “extremely helpful.”
“I would like [the Marion County School Board] to bring it to Florida legislators and tell them that students are greatly unhappy with not being able to have free access to books in their schools. Books like Animal Farm, George Orwell’s novels…as well as books that I read in middle school, are now banned,” said Kostowicz.
She said some of the books banned had profound impacts on her life and that not affording other students those same opportunities was a detriment.
“I believe that you’re depriving students of being able to think for themselves and see things as multi-spectral in a way,” said Kostowicz.
https://www.ocala-news.com/2025/02/12...
Also from Florida Freedom to ReadDigital Censorship
from Library Futures
https://www.libraryfutures.net/censor...
“Challenges against “p---n” in library databases are not only unsubstantiated—they are sometimes purposeful acts of disinformation presented with false narratives about the source, context, or character of the information.”
Key findings:
Bogus Claims: Challenges against “p----” in library databases are not only unsubstantiated—they are sometimes purposeful acts of disinformation presented with false narratives about the source, context, or character of the information.
Normal School Use: Despite the claims from censorship advocates that minors use library databases to access p---n, there is no evidence to support this claim, as well as more than five years of evidence from Utah demonstrating that students use databases to conduct normal and assigned student research.
Self-Censorship: Increased content bans and the threat of worrisome legislation have a chilling effect on libraries, with librarians reporting “self-censorship” even when content hasn’t been challenged.
Local Controls: Database providers have implemented more local controls as a result of the EBSCO pornography accusations, resulting in an increased use of overly restrictive stopwords and other filtering that limits minors’ access to critical information, particularly health and race information.
Influence and Escalation: High-volume content challenges often originate from a single or small number of sources that wield disproportionate influence through use of social media or capturing the attention of an authority figure. These challengers often circumvent established policies and procedures to rapidly escalate their threats.
Harmful to Minors: Claims of p---graphy in library materials are based on discriminatory ideologies that can negatively impact children’s learning, civil rights, and wellbeing. However, students recognize the real harm in censorship and are one of the most powerful change agents when advocating for or against legislation impacting library collections.
Thanks again to Florida Freedom to ReadThe Volusia Chair of M4L accused educators and administrators of “grooming” students because they posted images on social media during literacy week that promoted reading.
https://www.news-journalonline.com/st...
Moms for Liberty chair demands firings of Deltona principal, others over book celebrations
'Kite Runner,' 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club,' 'Sold' targeted for graphic content
A Moms for Liberty official took aim during Tuesday's Volusia County School Board meeting at two high schools' social media posts celebrating books she claimed were "illegal" and labeling staff as "groomers."
Jenifer Kelly, the Volusia chapter chair of Moms for Liberty, said Deltona and New Smyrna Beach high schools posted photos on Facebook celebrating Literacy Week in the last week of January. Some of the photos showed books on shelves and being held by students and staff that she found objectionable enough that she took several minutes during public comment to read (view spoiler)
There was almost no reaction from board members or district staff.
At one point, after Kelly had read several minutes worth of passages she found objectionable from "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini and "Onyx Storm," by Rebecca Yarros, School Board Chair Jamie Haynes interrupted: "Please cut the mic. Please stop."
Haynes asked Kelly to share some of the photos with a district staffer.
One of the photos Kelly shared was of Deltona High School Principal Christina Lapnow, who wore a T-shirt reading "FREADOM," in front of shelves of books. On that shelf, Kelly spotted three books that concerned her: "The Kite Runner," "Last Night at the Telegraph Club," by Malinda Lo, and "Sold," by Patricia McCormick.
Kelly addressed Superintendent Carmen Balgobin. "What do we see in this picture, Dr. Balgobin? We see a principal wearing a ‘freedom to read’ shirt. Political statement from groomers who want p---n made available to other people’s children," Kelly said. "She is standing in front of books on the shelf that contain illegal books. Some that have been challenged here and removed from Volusia County Schools, some that have been read at this microphone and cut off," Kelly said, adding that she had previously read excerpts from "Sold," a novel about a Nepalese girl sold into s--ual slavery.
"And it’s right here in this picture on the shelf. This is disgusting," Kelly said. "These groomers do not belong around our children. I’m calling for you to fire them immediately, notify ... parents that the children were exposed to this material behind their backs and without their consent. What are we going to do about this?”
Lapnow said Wednesday morning in an email that the photo was not intended as a political statement.
"The shirt was only to celebrate reading and the freedom it gives us to experience heroic adventures, immerse in incredible stories, and learn about the subjects that inspire us most," Lapnow said. "That being said, the bookshelves I stood in front of are the personal bookshelves of another employee and not our school's library. Those books are not accessible to students."
Kelly also referenced a Literacy Week social media post at New Smyrna Beach High School featuring photos of staff and students holding books, some of which she found objectionable.
“Here are some pictures from their Facebook posts celebrating what sneaky creeps they are. Dr. Balgobin, who is this holding ‘Iron Flame’ with a big smile on her face?”
"Iron Flame" and "Onyx Storm" are part of a popular romantic fantasy series written by Yarros.
Kelly read from an "eight-page graphic s-x scene in Chapter 27 of "Iron Flame," before launching into more from "The Kite Runner," a book she said the district had agreed would keep off the shelves of school libraries.
That title remains available to students in an Advanced Placement literature course with parental permission, and for those students whose parents object, an alternative book is assigned, said Sarah Lux, public information officer for Volusia County Schools.
Lux said in an email Wednesday afternoon the books were owned by staff members and were inaccessible to students in the library or part of the curriculum, with the exception of "The Kite Runner."
She said the posts' intent was for staff members to share what they were reading as a way of highlighting literacy week.
"The district is working with staff to ensure future social media posts align with books approved by the school to prevent confusion," Lux wrote.
A lot more good stuff on the Florida Freedom to Read Project feedhttps://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:salu...
Manybooks wrote: "https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/fly-...Great idea! We are definitely going to be doing this (and to keep doing this) and we also bought a bunch of those Can..."
Well, maybe Canada should fly American flags upside, an indication of something terrible happening.
Amanda Gorman says a ban on her poetry felt ‘like a gut punch’: Full interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR-ye...
"The complaint came from Miami Lakes resident Daily Salinas, who has two children at Bob Graham. It alleges Gorman's book would cause confusion and indoctrinate children."
Mod
Great idea! We are definitely going to be doing this (and to keep doing this) and we also bought a ..."
Ha, or fly a burned flag!!
In Newport, Rhode Island, the school board struck down a popular DEI program, in spite of a packed room of supporters. They claim it was because the long list of guidelines was vague and hadn't been vetted by their lawyers. as reported by the Providence Journal
In this week's Literary Activism newsletter, Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush talks about the ways in which people of faith are engaged—and can be further engaged—against book censorship. Reverend Raushenbush is the President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of *both* faith and democracy in America. He has been a champion for intellectual freedom, encouraging people to show up for their public libraries and schools to ensure their longterm existence.https://bookriot.com/religious-freedo...
oh and FYI: There's a local pastor in the Fall River, Mass. area who is a Transgender woman and supports equality and freedom.
Tenn.32 books were banned in Rutherford County Public Schools (TN). However, the school board did not vote in favor of banning DEI in the district.
https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/...
It was a tense two hours at the Rutherford County school board meeting Thursday night as the board reversed a resolution in support of closed borders, revised its stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and then voted to remove 32 books from school libraries.
The board took back a vote made two weeks ago on a resolution that called for the closure of the nation’s borders. The sponsor said it was meant to highlight the need for more resources to support English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students.
According to the school board, the resolution was filed after the county experienced a “significant surge in its English Learner (EL) population, stating the population has seen an increase of over 140% in the past decade.
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The board then went into a review of more than 40 books identified for possible removal. In the end, the board pulled 32 of those titles from school libraries.
Rutherford County school board chair Claire Maxwell addressed attendees before the public comment period began and urged anyone speaking at school board meetings to refrain from personal attacks, adding anyone who speaks should keep their remarks to “all things local.”
“There is no demonic agenda on the behalf of any of our library staff. We’re not responsible for what goes on in other parts of the country,” Maxwell said. “We can’t control what goes on in schools in New York, Chicago or California. In Rutherford County, there are no drag show storytimes or Satanic afterschool programs.”
Ten books will remain on library shelves, but only for 11th and 12th graders who have permission from their parents.
School Board Vice Chair Frances Rosales wants Rutherford County to know that the school board is working to better student lives, not politics.
“It should be, and it’s going to be, about putting the interest of our children first,” Rosales said. “Put behind the politics and get back into the business of what matters.”
Here’s everything you need to know so far about the Iowa book ban law and what it actually entails.Iowa finally adopts rules for its school book ban. Yes, there are penalties
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/sto...
The Iowa Board of Education has unanimously approved rules for an embattled 2023 law requiring staff to remove books that feature sex acts from schools.
Iowa educators have waited for more than a year for the Iowa Department of Education to release guidance concerning the Republicans' sweeping education law, Senate File 496.
The law requires Iowa schools to remove most books depicting s-- acts from shelves and provide learning materials that are age-appropriate. The law also bans discussion and instruction through sixth grade pertaining to gender identity and s--ual orientation.
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The rules require a school library program to only have "age-appropriate materials, and that supports the student achievement goals of the total school curriculum." Schools also need to keep a list of books that are available to students on their website and update it at least twice a year.
For school libraries that serve multiple grades, staff should "exercise reasonable physical, administrative and technological controls to ensure that students have access to age-appropriate materials based on the students’ age and grade," according to the rules.
Schools are also not allowed to "provide any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion or instruction relating to gender identity or s--ual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six."
Despite the previous lack of rules, schools should already be following the law.
“The underlying statute is in effect,” said Thomas Mayes, Iowa Department of Education's general counsel, after the Dec. 31 hearing.
The rules passed Thursday will go into effect April 9, according to Iowa Board of Education documents.
Last June, the Iowa Board of Education passed rules related to the law's requirement that school administrators alert a student's parent or caregiver if the child wants to use a different name or pronouns.
Senate File 496 remains the subject of two federal lawsuits, led by the ACLU of Iowa, and Iowa State Education Association and Penguin Random House, claiming the law is unconstitutional.
On the same day the board approved the final rules, U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher heard arguments in their requests for injunctions blocking portions of the law while the case moves forward.
Locher previously granted injunctions in both cases, but the Eighth Circuit appellate court reversed that decision, finding the district judge had given insufficient weight to the state’s interest in limiting speech that “undermines or is inconsistent with its central mission of educating Iowa children.”
On Thursday, Locher indicated he’s struggling with how to implement the appellate court’s directions, as well as a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding First Amendment restrictions in the context of social media. At one point, he told an attorney for Penguin that “12 months ago I agreed with you, and the Eighth Circuit said I did it wrong and reversed me, so I’m not sure how sending it back up with similar reasoning will be any more persuasive to them.”
Lawyers for the publishers and individual student plaintiffs focused on what they described as the laws overbreadth, with attorney Frederick Sperling arguing for Penguin that the law is “age-indifferent” because it bans books from all school libraries without regard to whether the students are high school seniors or kindergarteners.
For the state, attorney William Admussen argued the law is actually much narrower than the plaintiffs have alleged and does not ban books mentioning same-s-x relationships and other controversial topics “in a neutral fashion.” He also argued the plaintiffs have failed to present sufficient evidence to find the law unconstitutional on its face, and that in any case, a preliminary injunction is improper now that the law has had time to take effect.
Employees and administrators who do not remove books that violate the law could face a written reprimand for a first offense.
Additional violations could lead to an Iowa Board of Educational Examiners' hearing and possible disciplinary action.
IdahoCoeur d'Alene Schools faces tough calls on book restrictions
https://www.kxly.com/news/coeur-dalen...
he Coeur d’Alene School District is at the center of Idaho’s ongoing debate over book bans as it reviews 150 titles flagged by parents for containing potentially harmful material.
Katie Graupman, the district’s curriculum coordinator, said officials are carefully evaluating the books in accordance with Idaho’s new “Harmful to Minors” law, which went into effect in July.
“We needed to immediately remove those books from the shelf, and we’re undergoing a review of those titles as we speak,” Graupman said.
The law gives school districts 60 days to assess the books and determine whether they should be removed or placed in a restricted section. Districts that fail to comply face financial and legal consequences.
Graupman emphasized that the process requires careful deliberation by a board of community members.
“It can be allowed if it contains serious artistic, literary, political or scientific value. So, part of our job is to weigh whatever is considered harmful against that criteria as well.”
The district’s approach has drawn mixed reactions. Many opponents of the law have expressed concerns that it unfairly targets the LGBTQ+ community.
I heard about this one indirectly and knew right away which community it was.https://laist.com/brief/news/politics...
Huntington Beach City Council (CA) doesn’t plan to follow the anti-book ban law once signed in the state.
The bill was introduced by state Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) in the wake of a series of high-profile battles over the right for children to access materials some parents questioned as inappropriate at public libraries across the nation, including in Huntington Beach.
The backstory: Late last year, the Huntington Beach City Council passed a resolution stating that no city library will allow minors access to books with any s---al content. Since then, a number of titles deemed inappropriate for kids have been moved to the adult section of the city's libraries.
What's next: Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates said even if Newsom signs AB 1825 into law, it won't apply to the beach community because of its status as a chartered city even though the bill includes language that charter cities are not exempt.
Seaside School District (OR) is still debating whether or not to ban The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian after two parental complaints. The review committee proposed keeping the book as is.https://www.dailyastorian.com/advisor...
Tenn. againUsing AI to ban books is lazy and stupid
Blount County book battle continues
https://www.newsbreak.com/the-daily-t...
[A] resolution, sponsored by board member John Lowe, to create an ad hoc committee of school and community stakeholders and board members to “carefully consider” the procedure put in place to review library materials.
Lowe held up an excerpt from the book “A Stolen Life,” a memoir by Jaycee Lee Dugard detailing her 1991 kidnapping and subsequent years of abuse.
Lowe told the board that the grandmother of a student brought the book to his attention and that administrators found it in a high school. He did not specify which high school.
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Board member Erica Moore countered with a different proposal. She said a big problem when looking at library materials is bias.
“Who gets to determine what’s acceptable? What may be acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another person, and this creates a real struggle,” she said.
Moore also said book appropriateness would depend on grade and age levels. She told the board that Instructional Supervisor Jon Young, as well as some school principals, had been working on a solution.
AI System
School principal Derek Crabtree and Young worked to put together a program using ChatGPT that would allow school librarians to screen thousands of books at a time.
Crabtree said that after feeding the AI system the state laws on library materials, as well as board policy and library guidelines, the program can flag books that may be in violation or need further review.
When looking at a specific book, Crabtree said that the program gives a detailed summary of the book in question with information on age and maturity analysis, literary value and compliance.
The review gives a final recommendation on whether the book is approved, requires more review, or is unacceptable.
After testing it for a couple of days, Crabtree said the program gave consistent and objective reviews of books and could perform the task in minutes.
Another benefit of using the AI program, said Young, is that it could assess books without emotion or opinion. The program is objective and follows the parameters it is given.
Young stressed that the program would not replace human review but rather help alleviate the workload of librarians when assessing the district's over 210,000 books.
“Selecting books is not a casual or personal decision — it is a professional, multi-step process guided by district-approved policies, state laws and nationally recognized best practices,” Librarian Jennifer Walker told the board.
When a book is flagged for further review, BCS staff will step in to assess the book, Young said.
Board Chair Chris Pass asked what the cost of rolling the system out district-wide would be.
Crabtree said he pays for a premium account with ChatGPT but if someone has the link to the specific ChatGPT prompt created, they can use it for free.
Lowe said he felt encouraged and hopeful that an AI system would help the school librarians weed out problematic books.
“On that note, I would like to make a motion that we amend this motion (Lowe's) by referring it back to Jon Young and his team with the purpose to establish and execute a district-wide rollout of this system,” said Moore.
Before voting, Pass referred back to the excerpt of “A Stolen Life.”
“I will not be spending the next three years on this board with mothers and grandmothers coming to read dirty excerpts to me from books in our libraries,” Pass said.
He said that the book being in the BCS library violated the Age-Appropriate Materials Act and that forming a library policy committee would protect all the stakeholders.
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The AI program, she said, would be able to flag books like “A Stolen Life.”
“We can call it whatever you want to call it, but it’s going to develop into, I believe, some type of committee because we’re going to have to have checks and balances in place, but this is going to get it started immediately,” she said.
Pass and Lowe voted no. Fred Goins, Joe Lindsey and Moore voted yes. At first, BCS Executive Assistant Dani McPherson said the motion passed and the crowd applauded.
However, there was uncertainty about whether a simple majority ruled or a board membership majority.
Pass said the board operated under a member majority, so any passing vote would need four yes votes, regardless of a simple majority.
“You can look it up wherever you like,” he said.
When McPherson questioned what Pass was asking her to do, he replied, “I’m not asking. I’m informing you that that did not pass.”
The BCS board governing documents state, “When a formal vote is taken on any question brought before the Board, the decision shall be made on the basis of a majority of the membership of the Board.”
When Moore made a move to go on to the third agenda item, Pass stopped her and said, “No, hold on, no, no, your motion failed.”
Pass directed them back to the original motion put forth by Lowe, to create an ad hoc library policy committee.
Lindsey and Goins both discussed the possibility of implementing the system-wide AI program, while also forming the committee to review policy.
“What exactly is wrong with the policy, though,” asked Moore.
She told Pass this was his first time hearing from a librarian about what they do in detail. She told him the librarians had expressed a need for help, which the AI program could do.
“So I’m not sure why you got so offended with the motion. I just don’t understand,” Moore said.
Pass replied that he found it unusual that the desire to form a committee would be upsetting.
After a back-and-forth about Moore’s motion and whether or not it passed, she asked him why he was defensive.
“Does the public get to see this,” she asked, "This is what we’ve been working with for the last eight months.”
The public applauded and a few cheered.
“There’s seven people on here. You’re not the only one on the board,” she said to Pass.
“I’m just telling you what the law says,” he replied.
Lowe interjected, “The biggest question is Erica, why are you opposed to forming a committee?”
Moore said she wasn’t against forming a committee but wanted the schools to get started immediately on culling books with the AI system.
Lowe questioned why she would amend his motion if she were not against forming the committee.
Goins suggested that Interim Director of Schools Jake Jones could choose to implement the AI program across the district while the board worked on the policies and that the AI system could continue to adapt based on any changing policy.
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Jones told the board he would approve the rollout of the AI program.
When the board moved back to vote on Lowe’s original motion, Moore asked who would be responsible for choosing the committee members.
Pass said that he and Lowe, who serves as the policy chair, would choose.
After a vote, Lowe’s motion passed.
“We’re all in this together, guys,” he said.
...
While not the first time books have been brought up at BCS board meetings, district communications specialist Amanda Vance said the district has yet to have any formal complaints about books.
The procedure listed in state policy details the chain of command in order to challenge a book.
Inform the complainant of the selection procedures and make no commitments.
Request the complainant submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form.
Inform the principal.
Keep challenged materials available for use during the reconsideration process.
If the principal thinks the book needs further review, they may take the challenged book to the Director of Schools and request a review by a committee of certified library media personnel, representatives from classroom teachers, and one or more parents.
The committee will have 30 days to make a decision.
The principal will then make a recommendation to the Director of Schools, who will assess the findings and then present the book and recommendation to the school board, who will ultimately decide on the book’s fate based on the recommendations of the principal, committee and director of schools.
The board will have 60 days to make a decision, and if they deem the book inappropriate, it will be removed from the library’s collection. Once the decision is made, there is no chance of appeal.
It was unclear who specifically would make up the ad hoc committee. Both Pass and Lowe mentioned principals, librarians, teachers, parents and “community stakeholders.”
Tennessee state law states that the only persons who can formally challenge books in schools are teachers, principals and parents of students.
Ad hoc committees differ from standing committees in that they are meant to be temporary. The BCS board policy states that the board “shall operate without standing committees, except for the Executive Committee.”
It goes on to state that special committees of board members may be appointed by the chair but must be discharged once the work is finished or earlier if by a majority vote. These committees would be subject to open meetings laws.
Currently, there are no BCS board governing documents on forming and utilizing ad hoc committees.
CanadaYou are not immune to this STUFF.
A shadow war on libraries
Some Canadian politicians and influencers, inspired by an American-born movement, are trying to roll back 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Canada — one book at a time.
17-YO Transgender teen Theo Robertston of Valleyview, Alta. stood up for the public library and freedom to read and is now being harassed and censored.
https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/f...
On the streets of the town, in public meetings and on social media, Robertson says she has been openly accosted by adults because of her gender. And it all started when she stood up for the public library.
Since 2023, a fierce debate over the fate of the library has exposed political fault lines in the once close-knit town of nearly 1,800 people. Defenders of the library and the local 2SLGBTQ+ community have been pitted against a secretive town council and its allies.
The fight is a deeply personal one for Robertson, who founded Valleyview’s gay-straight alliance club, or GSA, in the library. Teens in the club say it is the only refuge in town for them — one Roberston now fears will be erased.
*SIGH* Not surprising but come ON, New Hampshire?!“The New Hampshire Department of Education has told school leaders they should review their district’s diversity and equity programs to ensure they comply with President Donald Trump’s recent mandates”
https://www.fosters.com/story/news/ed...
“As recipients of federal funding, New Hampshire school districts should carefully review these executive orders,” said an advisory sent to school leaders Friday.
“(District) administrators and local school boards should carefully evaluate whether existing DEI-focused training, programs or curriculum materials utilized in their districts align with the new federal directives and consult with legal counsel to ensure that districts are complying with state and federal law,” it said.
The state advisory includes links to the Trump administration’s mandates and communications from the U.S. Department of Education. It also references recent action by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to rescind the Biden administration's book ban guidance and dismiss 11 complaints challenging book bans.
In its advisory, the department encouraged “all District leadership and local school boards to establish commonsense processes by which to evaluate and remove age-inappropriate materials and . . . to provide ‘a developmentally appropriate collection of resources.’ ”
The advisory does not provide school districts guidance on how to determine whether their programs comply or how the mandates, which largely apply to federal agencies and contractors, impact local schools.
Nor does the advisory address Trump’s mandate prohibiting transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams. Schools that don’t comply will lose federal funding, according to the mandate.
Transgender girls are already barred from playing on girls’ teams by New Hampshire law, though a federal judge has stayed the law in two districts where students are challenging it. Both the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and Gov. Kelly Ayotte said in statements this week that they remained committed to defending the law.
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The state education department’s advisory also does not mention another Trump mandate that prohibits teaching that certain groups of people are inherently biased. A 2021 New Hampshire law that carried the same prohibitions was overturned in May. The court said it was too vague and violated First Amendment rights. The state has appealed.
In its advisory, the Department of Education told school leaders it “remains committed to high-quality, inclusive education for all students.”
The new federal mandates have left the state’s school leaders uncertain about how to navigate the new rules.
Back to Canada for a momentIn the Summerland branch of the Okanagan Regional Library (British Columbia, Canada), Sex Is A Funny Word keeps “disappearing” from shelves.
https://www.summerlandreview.com/loca...
Caroline McKay, community librarian at the Summerland branch of the Okanagan Regional Library, says the book is usually displayed at eye level on a shelf for younger readers. However, it keeps disappearing from the shelves. Library staff have found it hidden in numerous places in the library.
At times, the book has been taken from the library, but not checked out at the counter, she said.
Another book for children caught the attention of one parent who then asked that a warning label be affixed to the book.
McKay said the library does not put warnings on any of the materials on the library shelves. She added that readers have the choice of what they will read. In the case of young readers, parents are responsible.
The library also has had complaints about other titles on its shelves, including books about 2SLGBTQ+ topics, especially if those books are written for children and young adults.
“There’s something in the library to offend everyone,” McKay said.
She added that the library works to have a range of books and other materials on its shelves, for all readers and for all interests.
“We need diverse books for our readers,” she said.
The week of Feb. 23 to March 1 is designated as Freedom to Read Week in Canada and the freedom to read what one chooses is included in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
More scary from IdahoA bill proposed in Idaho would grant city council members to fire the library director at the library.
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/l...
A Treasure Valley city wants to “get rid of a library director,” according to a state representative who presented a bill that could help them do it. The proposed legislation, introduced by Rep. Jeff Cornilles, R-Nampa, in the House Local Government Committee, would allow city councils to have the ultimate say over hiring and firing public library directors — a power now vested with library boards or commissions.
Cornilles told the committee Monday that the idea came to him from a city in the Treasure Valley frustrated that elected city officials must defer to appointed library board members on hiring and firing decisions. Cornilles did not say which city, and no committee member asked him.
The bill comes as the Eagle library board has been under scrutiny in the months after a new state law took effect in July governing how libraries must respond to materials deemed “harmful to minors.” After the board voted in September to relocate 23 library books, the City Council removed two members from the board in October for reasons not disclosed. The board and the city are among multiple institutions and people sued Feb. 4 in an attempt to overturn the law.
Brian Almon, an Eagle library board member, told the Statesman that he watched the legislative committee meeting and “was also curious about it.” Almon said by text that he believes that Eagle’s board now holds hiring and firing power but noted, “We were told last year that the mayor would be conducting staff reviews, including the director.”
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the Eagle City Council plans to hold a special meeting on Wednesday for “discussion and potential action regarding House Bill 209” — Cornilles’ bill. Cornilles told fellow lawmakers that his proposal would bring decisions about hiring and firing of library directors “closer” to the taxpayers who fund public libraries, he said. The bill would let cities decide whether to keep hiring and firing authority with the board or transfer it to the city council. “No city with a municipal library is required to change this model,” says a written summary of the bill. Only city libraries would be affected. Some cities, like Eagle and Boise, operate libraries. Others, like Meridian, do not. Meridian libraries are operated by an independent library district with its own elected board.
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The committee unanimously voted to advance Cornilles’ proposal, and the bill was introduced Tuesday as House Bill 209.
Weird news from Colorado.Colorado’s Elizabeth School District returned 19 books they banned from the district -HOWEVER- those 19 books are not available to most people in the school. Only the plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit about the books being banned can access them
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/20...
Elizabeth school district officials say they have returned to school libraries 19 books they removed last fall. But most students won’t be able to read or check out the books, which include “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison and “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini.
That’s because the district decided to make the returned books available only to a small number of people: Specifically, plaintiffs in a recent lawsuit against the district over the book removals. Those allowed access to the books include two district students, members of the NAACP, and children of members of the NAACP.
A legal brief filed by the district did not say how students or members of the NAACP would find the 19 books or prove they are allowed to read them. A district spokesperson said the books are not on the shelves of the school libraries, but declined to say where they are.
Bringing back the books for a limited audience is part of the latest legal volley in the case, which began in December when the American Civil Liberties Union sued the 2,600-student district in federal court. The lawsuit argues the book removals violate federal and state free speech protections. The plaintiffs in the case include two students, a chapter of the NAACP, and the Authors Guild, a professional organization for writers.
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Elizabeth district officials revealed the return of the 19 books on Jan. 27 in a legal filing the same day. The brief argued that the district isn’t violating the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights as the lawsuit claimed since the books are now available to them.
Laura Moroff, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, said the return of the 19 books to school libraries doesn’t remedy the original problem, and makes it worse, by adding new barriers, such as having to ask library staff to get the books, acknowledge participation in the lawsuit, or provide information about a parent’s NAACP membership.
“This is really not a solution and it does not address the harm,” she said. “On so many levels it’s not feasible.”
She said the American Civil Liberties Union wants a preliminary injunction that would require the district to do two things while the lawsuit unfolds: Restore the 19 books to library shelves for all students to read and refrain from removing additional books.
Iowa bill proposes "don't say gay" for K-12 schoolshttps://www.iowapublicradio.org/state...
LGBTQ topics would be banned from middle school and high school curriculum under a bill advancing in the Iowa House that seeks to expand a law that currently applies to Kindergarten through sixth grade.
Republican legislators passed a law in 2023 that bans instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation before seventh grade. That law is being challenged in federal court. The bill advanced Wednesday by Republicans on a House subcommittee would extend that prohibition through high school.
The bill says, “A school district shall not provide any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade twelve.”
The administrative rules for implementing the existing law say “a neutral statement regarding sexual orientation or gender identity” will not be considered a violation.
Jemma Bullock, executive director of the Iowa Queer Student Alliance and a student at Iowa State University, said lawmakers are supposed to be protecting all students, and bills like this do the opposite.
“And it does not stop LGBTQ+ students from being queer,” Bullock said. “What it does do is harm students. It causes mental health to decline and endangers more students’ lives.”
Chuck Hurley with the Christian conservative organization, The Family Leader, supports the bill and pushed back on that.
“If this bill passes, bullying is still punishable in the schools,” he said. “We remove a divisive topic from the schools, and we put it back where it should be, with parents and families and friends.”
Hurley also said teaching that people can transition to a different gender is teaching a lie.
Bethany Snyder of Urbandale said the bill means her own child would be denied information about their family, sending a message that they don’t belong.
“As a lesbian mom, I know firsthand how damaging that message is,” she said. “We both grew up in a time when LGBTQ people were erased, when we didn’t see families like our own in our schools and communities. We know the shame and isolation that comes from silence, and we refuse to let our child, or any child in Iowa, experience that.”
Amber Williams, a lobbyist for Inspired Life, said schools should be focused on core academic subjects.
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Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, and Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, advanced the bill to the full House Education Committee.
Wheeler said parents are frequently bringing him examples of things in schools that he said are “absurd,” including rainbow flags that he said are larger than the American or Iowa flag.
“I’m tired of having parents bring lesson plans to me where it’s clearly pushing an agenda,” he said. “I am sick of it, and I know Iowans are sick of it. That’s why we are sitting in a supermajority.”
Wheeler said discussions of LGBTQ topics are a distraction, and schools should get back to the basics in education.
Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, said the bill would prevent teaching about things like the HIV/AIDS crisis, the Stonewall riots and gay people who were targeted during the Holocaust.
“This bill prevents teachers from teaching truth,” she said. “It also prevents teachers from having a realistic, holistic and caring relationship with their students and their classrooms.”
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You are not immune to this STUFF.
A shadow war on libraries
Some Canadian politicians and influencers, inspired by an American-born movement, are trying to roll back 2SLGBTQ+ rights in Cana..."
But of course, this story takes place in Alberta, where premier Danielle Smith is a Trump supporter and also attended the inauguration (and probably supports Trump annexing Canada). She is very much in favour of not allowing trans students basic human rights (like using the washroom).
I grew up in Alberta, and while the province was always right of centre, what the province is now makes me want to throw up.
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https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state...
LGBTQ..."
So if this bill passes, what happens to homosexual students who are not in the closet and are open about their sexuality??
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Vance should have been arrested for meeting with those vile Neo Nazis PIGS, and the same holds true for Elon Musk. Supporting AfD is exactly the same as supporting Adolf Hitler!!!
Manybooks wrote: "So if this bill passes, what happens to homosexual students who are not in the closet and open about their sexuality??They can't discuss it in schools and PROBABLY the bill would come with a measure that directs teachers to notify parents if a child uses a different pronoun/name at school. See Florida as the original model.
This bill would apply to health class and books in the schools about non gender conforming kids and LGBTQ+ kids/teens/families. It's the same exact thing we've already seen in other states.
What really happens is students suffer mental distress and try to and sometimes succeed in taking their own lives. At best, they're bullied and harassed by other kids AND adults in the community and as soon as they turn 18, they leave or better yet the parents take them away. I've seen some cars in the neighborhood from other states nowhere near here and wonder and hope they moved here because it's safer for their families.
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They can't discuss it in schools and PROBABLY the bill woul..."
I hope they simply discuss it at school in defiance!!
Manybooks wrote: "I hope they simply discuss it at school in defiance!!."They can't. Teachers face major penalties like fines, being fired and losing their license. In some cases they could be arrested. Students can't use the bathrooms that correspond to their gender; Gay/Straight Alliances and LGBTQ+ clubs are being disbanded and schools are no longer a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth. It's truly a horrific situation.
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They can't. Teachers face major penalties like fines, being fired and losing their license. In some cases they could be ar..."
And if students simply refuse to not shut up about homosexuality and keep talking about this in class?
But I guess if students rebel, they will be expelled or have the police come and rough them up ...
Clay County, Florida updated their censorship list on Valentine’s Day, revealing removals and restrictions on many titles in The Princess Diaries series.Other authors include Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, Deb Caletti, and the Casts.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:salu...
Julianne Moore slams Trump administration for banning her children's book: 'I am truly saddened'"What is so controversial about this picture book that caused it to be banned by the US Government?"
https://ew.com/julianne-moore-slams-t...
"It is a great shock for me to learn that my first book, Freckleface Strawberry, has been banned by the Trump Administration from schools run by the Department of Defense," Moore began her Sunday Instagram post. "Freckleface Strawberry is a semi-autobiographical story about a seven year old girl who dislikes her freckles but eventually learns to live with them when she realizes that she is different 'just like everybody else.'"
She continued, "It is a book I wrote for my children and for other kids to remind them that we all struggle, but are united by our humanity and our community."
Moore, the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and graduate of the Department of Defense-run Frankfurt American High School, added she is particularly devastated that "kids like me, growing up with a parent in the service and attending a [DoDEA] school, will not have access to a book written by someone whose life experience is so similar to their own."
The first of Moore's Freckleface Strawberry books hit shelves in 2007 and followed its 7-year-old protagonist as she learns to accept herself, red hair, freckles, and all. "The things that make you different also make you, YOU," reads the official synopsis.
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"I can’t help but wonder what is so controversial about this picture book that causes it to be banned by the US Government," Moore continued in her post. "I am truly saddened and never thought I would see this in a country where freedom of speech and expression is a constitutional right."
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGJBA9Lvf...
GOOD GRAVY! What is WRONG with people?!https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/i...
Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner has found herself at the center of controversy after reading Secret Pizza Party a children’s book by Adam Rubin, during a Save the Children literacy event. While the event was intended to promote the joy of reading, some critics have raised concerns about the book’s messaging and its connection to an organization that has recently come under scrutiny.
However, some have expressed discomfort with its emphasis on keeping secrets, arguing that such messaging might not be appropriate for young children. In particular, critics point out that teaching children to keep secrets—especially from adults—can be a slippery slope when it comes to conversations about safety and child protection.
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Adding to the controversy is the fact that Save the Children, the global nonprofit that hosted the event has recently been under investigation. On October 8, 2024, BBC reported that Guatemalan authorities raided five of the organization’s regional offices due to allegations related to the mistreatment and trafficking of migrant children.
According to reports, prosecutors in Guatemala accused Save the Children of violating the rights of migrant children in their care. While the details of the case are still emerging, this development has raised concerns about the organization’s operations and oversight.
Save the Children has a long history of advocating for children’s rights and providing humanitarian aid worldwide. The organization has denied any wrongdoing and has pledged to cooperate fully with authorities in Guatemala.
Jennifer Garner has been a vocal advocate for children’s welfare and literacy for years. She has served as a trustee and ambassador for Save the Children since 2014, working on initiatives to improve early childhood education and nutrition.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded the #SAVEWITHSTORIES campaign alongside actress Amy Adams. This initiative featured celebrities reading books online to entertain children during school closures while raising funds for food and educational resources for underprivileged kids.
Garner has also worked closely with Save the Children in the U.S., focusing on children in rural communities who lack access to quality early education. Her passion for child development has made her one of the most prominent celebrity advocates for children’s literacy.
The internet has been divided in response to the event. Many of Garner’s fans have defended her, stating that she was simply reading a children’s book in an effort to promote literacy. Others argue that the book’s theme, combined with the recent scrutiny on Save the Children, makes it an unfortunate choice.
Some social media users have pointed out that Secret Pizza Party is a widely accepted children’s book, used by parents and teachers for years. Others have suggested that, given the current investigations into Save the Children, a different book might have been a better choice.
Meanwhile, supporters of Save the Children emphasize the organization’s decades-long work in child advocacy and emergency relief. They argue that while the allegations should be taken seriously, they should not overshadow the positive work done by its many employees and volunteers.
First they came for Florida and then Texas and now the whole country.Education Department letter threatens federal funding of any school that considers race in most aspects of student life
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/16/politi...
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The Department of Education sent a “Dear Colleague” letter Friday threatening the federal funding of any academic institution that considers race in most aspects of student life.
The letter — geared toward all preschool, elementary, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, as well as state educational agencies that receive financial assistance from the federal government — laid out a sweeping and controversial interpretation of federal law following the 2023 Supreme Court decision that gutted affirmative action. It’s almost certain to draw legal challenges.
“Federal law thus prohibits covered entities from using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life,” wrote Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights for the Education Department.
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This interpretation could open a wide range of challenges to courses and literature taught in schools, scholarships for non-White students, and various student organizations, including Black fraternities and sororities.
“Race-based decision-making, no matter the form, remains impermissible. For example, a school may not use students’ personal essays, writing samples, participation in extracurriculars, or other cues as a means of determining or predicting a student’s race and favoring or disfavoring such students,” the letter read.
The letter says the department will “take appropriate measures to assess compliance with the applicable statutes and regulations based on the understanding embodied in this letter” no later than February 28.
It also criticized diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, known as DEI, saying that such programs “frequently preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not.”
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The American Federation of Teachers criticized the memo, calling it illegal and saying federal law “prohibits any president from telling schools and colleges what to teach.”
Educators “ensure all students gain the knowledge and experiences they need to navigate a diverse and complex world. And we teach critical thinking skills, which necessarily requires us to present history in an open and honest way, to answer students’ questions and better meet their needs,” the union’s president, Randi Weingarten, said in a statement. “This memo does the opposite — it makes it far harder to do our jobs and will only stoke division and fear.”
The letter also comes as the Trump administration has begun drafting an executive order that would kick off the process of eliminating the Department of Education, one of his campaign promises.
Upstate New YorkTrouble in the stacks
The Tompkins County Public Library’s staff is divided, relationships with partner organizations tested, and its director of two years is at the center of the turmoil.
https://ithacavoice.org/2025/02/troub...
Since a leadership change in late 2022, decisions by library director Leslie Tabor have put the future of some library funding in question and drawn scrutiny from local, regional and state officials.
To date, about half the library’s staff have resigned, been terminated or retired during Tabor’s two-year tenure. Many who remain described an often tense and deeply divided workforce plagued by distrust and retribution. Library leadership has lodged an increasing number of disciplinary actions against staff and the union that represents many library employees has filed a record number of allegations of unfair labor practices, longtime current and former employees said.
The mounting issues prompted the library’s board of trustees to initiate a third-party investigation, particularly in response to concerns raised in late 2024 by the director of the Finger Lakes Library System and, separately, the Tompkins County Legislature.
The library system and the county legislature are two of the library’s largest stakeholders.
Tompkins County provides the vast majority of support — both monetary and in-kind — for the library. In the county’s most recent budget season, the library saw an unexpected $20,000 decrease to county funding in addition to planned across-the-board budget cuts. Legislators expressed skepticism over the library’s budget presentation and chose to reallocate the funds to the county’s smaller, rural libraries.
In late 2024, Tompkins County Legislator Rich John penned a letter to the library’s board detailing concerns about the organization’s management, Tabor said. ...
Meanwhile, Finger Lakes Library System has the power to revoke TCPL’s status as the system’s central library, which would result in a considerable reduction in the number of books housed there, as well as the loss of control over roughly $175,000 in annual state funds.
In an October 2024 letter to the TCPL board obtained by The Ithaca Voice, Finger Lakes Library System director Sarah Glogowski said her organization would need to reconsider whether TCPL could continue as the central library, should their concerns remain unaddressed.
In the letter, Glogowski outlined a range of concerns about library leadership’s “operational competencies” — from prolonged high staff turnover to Tabor’s struggle to “effectively present materials and address questions” while advocating against county funding cuts.
As detailed in Glogowski’s letter, Tabor spearheaded an effort that led to the disposal of nearly half of the Tompkins County Public Library’s physical books. In the process, Glogowski said the director ordered the improper disposal of $367,000 worth of materials owned collectively by the 33 libraries that make up the Finger Lakes Library System. As the central library, TCPL houses the books, but does not own them. The discarded books comprised about 60.1% of the Finger Lakes Library System’s total collection.
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A union leader said 11 grievances currently remain unaddressed as of Feb. 14. In her Dec. 20 interview, Tabor said third-party mediators have so far ruled in favor of library management.
Some workers have described in public comment and letters to the board of trustees that Tabor’s has prioritized inclusivity, particularly for members of the LGBTQ community who work at the library. It’s a point that Tabor raised in her Dec. 20 interview.
However, multiple LGBTQ library employees said it wouldn’t be fair to say that the work culture wasn’t inclusive before Tabor began as director.
“It’s frankly offensive and insulting that [Tabor] is taking credit for the hard work that queer staff and our allies have put in over the years to lay the groundwork and make the library a more welcoming and inclusive place,” one queer employee wrote in an email.
The employee said they and other LGBTQ staff are among those who’ve grown concerned about library management. They said they felt that Tabor had “weaponized” their identities to divide the workplace and added that queer employees are among those who have been pushed out.
FloridaBrevard's school board revamps public comment policy in wake of Moms for Liberty lawsuit
Board members, along with the district's attorney, cited a litany of reasons why some comments should not only be confined to topics on the agenda, but also why others should not be livestreamed.
The school board is considering a new policy that would split public comment into two sections: one for agenda items and one for non-agenda items.
The non-agenda comment section would not be livestreamed due to concerns about speakers making accusations or using profanity.
The board will vote on the new policy at a meeting on March 11.
A federal judge ruled that the Brevard Public Schools' previous public comment policy was unconstitutional.
Comments related to agenda items will be livestreamed, but comments unrelated to agenda items will not.
The school board expressed concerns about protecting the privacy of students and staff, as well as avoiding the livestreaming of profanity or hate speech.
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/ne...
As recently as Dec. 17 of last year, anyone who wanted to speak up at a Brevard school board meeting could step up and vocalize their concerns, provided they followed specific guidelines related to decorum and addressing the board.
But in January, less than two hours before the first meeting of the year, a federal judge blocked the board from continuing to implement its public comment policy. They had to pivot on the spot to allow audience members to speak, this time in a way that wouldn't be deemed as limiting their freedom of speech.
Over the past five years, Brevard Public Schools has seen numerous iterations of its public comment policy. Now, after the January ruling in favor of a Moms for Liberty-led lawsuit, the board hashed out the details of a new version of the rule at a recent work session and will likely approve it in March.
Board members, along with the district's attorney, cited a litany of reasons why some comments should not only be confined to topics on the agenda, but also why others should not be livestreamed.
From the federal judge to board members to parents who've been vocal on issues from mask mandates to book bans to arming school staff, here's who's saying what about the proposed policy.
Last month, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order in support of a Moms for Liberty-led lawsuit, which stopped Brevard's school board from implementing their current public comment policy.
The lawsuit has been ongoing since 2021, with Moms for Liberty members saying the board has used the policy to limit speech and discriminate based on opposing viewpoints.
While Federal Judge Roy Dalton Jr. initially ruled in favor of Brevard's school board, saying the policy was applied in a way that was viewpoint-neutral, the battle between the board and Moms for Liberty has since turned in favor of the conservative parental rights group. In October 2024, a federal appeals court said that the current district policy was "facially unconstitutional because it was viewpoint based and an 'undercover ban on offensive speech.''
In January, Dalton ordered that the policy not be implemented as the lawsuit continues, saying that such a policy could cause "irreparable injury."
Early on in the pandemic, public comment was limited to one minute per speaker rather than three, a version of the policy that has since been rescinded.
Public commenters perceived to be making threats to the board have been removed from the meeting room. Last year, a parent was removed after saying, "We're coming for you," to then-Board Chair Megan Wright regarding her support of arming certain BPS staff members as part of the district's guardian program.
Numerous people have been stopped from reading passages of books on the grounds that what they were reading was explicit or contained profane language. According to Florida law, stopping someone from reading a book on the grounds that it is s--ually explicit means the book must be removed from all district shelves, though if a speaker is stopped for using profane language, the book may remain. In December 2023, eight people read various passages, with 13 books ultimately being banned.
Under the current policy, the public typically speaks during one public comment section regardless of whether or not their comment is related to an agenda item, with an additional chance to speak if an item is up for public hearing. Under the updated policy, however, public comment would be split into two sections: agenda comments and non-agenda comments, with the latter at the end of the meeting. There will still be an additional time to speak for items up for public hearing.
The board debated adopting language to say they would follow Federal Communications Commission guidelines in an effort to maintain decorum but ultimately opted not to use this language because of concerns about having to interfere with public comment.
"I'm concerned that it's going to put us in a situation to stop someone from saying something because we're concerned we're violating FCC regulations when really, we're not supposed to police the public comments," board member Megan Wright said.
The public comments related to the agenda will be livestreamed like the rest of the meeting. However, the cameras will cut off before the non-agenda comment section takes place.
The board raised concerns about members of the public making comments against teachers and students or using profane language or slurs. It's something they don't want on their YouTube channel, they said.
Board member Katye Campbell expressed frustration over the issue, saying the board's intention has been twisted into wanting to suppress free speech when that isn't the case.
"I want you to not stand at that podium and speak a student's name," she said, adding that, under the new policy, a parent could accuse a student by name of cheating and they board wouldn't be able to stop them.
"If people ever wonder why we're turning the cameras off and they're so upset ... while we have authority over this, I don't want to allow people to stand up there and say a student's name, a teacher's name, and they can say, 'Oh, well they can sue for libel and whatever," she said. "Not over our YouTube channel."
Paul Gibbs, the district's attorney, agreed that it would be wise to cut the cameras before holding non-agenda comments.
"If they want to record it on their phone and put it on their Facebook, that's fine, they're creating that liability, just like if they said it on camera, they're creating their liability," he said. "But it just protects the district some, and we aren't providing that forum for them to violate anybody's personal (rights)."
They debated adjourning the meeting prior to the second public comment section but opted not to because they would not be able to give Superintendent Mark Rendell directions if the meeting was not in session.
The board is set to vote to approve the new policy at a March 11 school board meeting.
OregonMultnomah County library ends some children’s programming to boost branch staffing, security
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2...
Multnomah County Library will discontinue three children’s programs later this year to better staff its branches and boost security, officials said.
Those offerings include School Corps and Books2U, both of which have been library staples for nearly three decades, and the Listos para el Kinder program for Spanish-speaking children preparing for kindergarten, spokesperson Shawn Cunningham said Friday. Those community-based outreach programs will sunset at the end of the academic year.
Willamette Week first reported on the shuttering of School Corps and Books2U. The library is scaling back its outreach programs to ensure more employees are working in its libraries, which have struggled with staffing in recent years due in part to security
changes spurred by library staff reporting they feel unsafe at work.
“To meet its service priorities of staffing its new and bigger locations, the library can no longer offer the same scale of outreach programs that require dedicated staff who work in the community outside of libraries,” Cunningham said in an email.
The School Corps program helps students and faculty in K-12 schools access library materials and shows students how to use public libraries. The Books2U program aims to encourage children to read for fun and brings books into classrooms across the county. Combined, they cost the library $870,000 this year. Most of that money goes to paying staff.
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Cunningham said reallocating staff will help “ensure adequate staffing for patron services, including security.”
Cunningham highlighted several ongoing initiatives by the library to support youth learning, including culturally specific storytimes for children, welcome to reading kits, free library events, teen rooms and creative learning spaces.
Library Director Annie Lewis said the decision to cut the three programs did not come easily.
Utterly terrifying and horrific news from Iowa today as reported by Kelly Jensen of BookRiotThis news makes me want to cry and scream in frustration!
https://bookriot.com/iowa-rushes-adva...
"Iowa has advanced their own bill targeting public librarians in a matter of days. Iowa House File 274 (HF 274) was introduced on Monday, February 10, and has already made its way out of the House Education Committee. This means that it is now eligible to be discussed and advanced by the full House.
It is not common for bills to move at such a fast speed. But bills like HF 274 are wildly unpopular with most citizens. The speed at which it has moved through the Iowa House is indicative of its partisan nature.
HF 274 was introduced by Helena Hayes (IA District 88). The bill would erase protections that public libraries and educational institutions have related to “obscene” materials. The bill would also restrict where and how minors could access the public library. As the obscenity laws are written now, minors are permitted to attend any event at a public library or public school, as well as access any materials available therein. HF 274 would kick open the door of barring anyone under the age of 18 from utilizing the library or its materials were it believed so-called “obscene” material were available.
There are no obscene materials in public or public school libraries in the United States. This is a moral panic brought forth by the right over books they don’t like and that represent voices, stories, and perspectives outside of the rigid white, straight, able-bodied, cis gender, Christian boundaries.
While obscenity has a stated legal definition via the Miller Test–a three prong test materials must meet as a whole–”obscenity” in the eyes of legislators eager to pass bills like this includes books by and about LGBTQ+ people. These books have already been targeted in Iowa legislature at public schools through Iowa’s 2023 passage of Senate File 496. Books like Gender Queer have also been targeted relentlessly in public libraries across the state.
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[B]ills like this one have been rushed [because without a]ny time for the average person to read and raise concerns about HF 274 would hinder its ability to be passed quickly through partisan efforts.
HF 274, in removing obscenity protections from public libraries and public schools, would make room for bills like those we’ve seen in Idaho, where parents can sue libraries over not moving material they deem inappropriate quickly enough. It would also make it far easier to pass bills like those in Utah and South Carolina, wherein the state requires every institution to remove specific titles from their collection or face financial penalties.
This is not the only anti-library bill in Iowa this legislative session. Senate File 116 would not only ban drag performances but would allow criminal charges to be pressed against librarians or educators who host such events or who have materials deemed “obscene” in their collections that minors may access. Together, HF 274 and SF 116 would completely alter Iowa’s public library and public education systems, turning them into partisan weapons–and destroying their purpose as democratic institutions serving all members of their community."
Kelly Jensen further adds:
"When you change the definition of obscenity to meet prurient partisan interests–the amount of time that these legislators talk about g----tals and s---al acts is itself deeply disturbing–you then give those same legislators the opportunity to pass more and more restrictive, paternalistic bills. No longer is this about “parental rights” nor about so-called “local control.” It’s about the government telling you as a parent what you may or may not allow your own child to access in public spaces.
It’s also about robbing local communities from ensuring their library serves everyone and undermining the knowledge, skills, training, and education of professionals in these institutions.
Tuesday’s House Education Committee passed the bill out of committee by a 14-8 vote. It can now move on to the House floor for full debate and vote.
If you live in Iowa, get on the phone with and into the inboxes of your state House and Senate representatives demanding these bills be halted. Spread the word about these bills and what the consequences of them would be with your networks. You have plenty of examples for what could happen–and you have examples of what’s already happening in your own state, thanks to 2023’s Senate File 496, which continues to be litigated."
EveryLibrary strongly opposes the Trump administration’s censorship and political interference in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools.Under the direction of the Trump White House, the Department of Defense has imposed sweeping ideological restrictions on school libraries, curricula, classroom instruction, and student organizations. This has led to the erasure of essential lessons on race, gender, and history while promoting an overtly political and religious agenda. This is not an exception but a model for what is to come under the Trump administration.
This unprecedented campaign of censorship is a direct attack on the rights of students, educators, and military families who rely on DoDEA schools for a high-quality, comprehensive education. The removal of school library books, classroom materials, and student clubs, as well as the banning of cultural observances such as Black History Month, demonstrates that these policies go far beyond routine administrative changes. They represent a radical attempt to reshape public education into a tool for political indoctrination rather than for intellectual exploration, student success, and academic achievement.
A Direct Attack on School Libraries and the Freedom to Read
At the center of this unconstitutional censorship effort is the targeting of school libraries and the forced removal of books and learning materials that do not comply with the administration’s ideology. DoDEA school librarians, trained to provide unbiased access to information, are now being ordered to conduct ideological reviews of library collections and remove books based on vague and politically motivated criteria. Reports from DoDEA schools confirm that:
Entire school libraries have been temporarily closed while books are removed and reviewed for compliance with Trump’s executive orders.
Books about immigration, LGBTQ+ identities, and racial justice have been marked for removal.
Educators have been told to remove books from their personal classroom collections if they reference gender identity, race, or “discriminatory equity ideology,” without clear guidelines on what constitutes a violation.
The impact of these purges of school libraries and curricular bans extends far beyond DoDEA schools themselves. By removing books that reflect the diverse experiences of American military families, the administration actively undermines students’ intellectual growth, restricts access to accurate historical narratives, and isolates already vulnerable populations. Military children—who frequently experience relocations and disruptions in their education—deserve a rich and supportive learning environment, not one that erases their identities or limits their intellectual freedom.
What is happening today at Department of Defense grade schools and high schools —where the Trump administration has direct control—is a warning to every public school in America. The policies being tested on the children of military families mirror the censorship regime already enacted in states like Florida, where book bans, gag orders on educators, and restrictions on library collections have become state policy. Make no mistake: this DoDEA action is a blueprint for national education policy. Florida’s aggressive censorship laws have resulted in thousands of books being removed from school libraries, and this is not an exception but a model for what is to come under the Trump administration.
The 2024 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS), the largest and most comprehensive study of military family well-being, highlights education as a top concern for military families. Conducted before the sweeping changes in DoDEA policies, the survey underscores how access to quality, stable, and inclusive education directly impacts military family satisfaction, retention, and operational readiness.
With the Trump administration policies imposing ideological censorship and restricting access to diverse books and curricula, we foresee several negative impacts on military families and national security:
Military families of color and LGBTQ+ families will face increased alienation and discrimination as cultural observances, student organizations, and inclusive curricula are erased from DoDEA schools.
Educational disruption will worsen for military children, who already experience frequent relocations. With libraries under review and curricula being gutted, children will be left with gaps in learning, lack of representation, and diminished college preparedness.
Lower retention and recruitment rates for diverse service members, as military families reassess whether to remain in a system that no longer prioritizes their children’s well-being.
Erosion of U.S. military readiness, as dissatisfaction with the education system impacts the All-Volunteer Force.
The military relies on retaining highly trained personnel—policies that create unnecessary stress and division among service members will weaken force cohesion and effectiveness. What is happening at DoDEA today is not merely an educational issue; it poses broader implications for military families and national security.
EveryLibrary supports DoDEA educators, school librarians, military families, and students who are currently facing an unprecedented attack on their right to learn, read, and engage with diverse perspectives. We believe that access to reading and information is a fundamental right and that education should prepare students for democracy rather than suppress it.
The fight against government censorship and ideological control of education is not just about one school district or one state; it is about the future of free thought, democracy, and the right to read. We call on elected officials and legal organizations to challenge these unconstitutional policies and protect the fundamental rights of students, parents, and educators. We stand with military families, educators, and students as we speak out against this blatant censorship. We need public education advocates and library supporters to recognize this as a national crisis. What happens in DoDEA schools today will affect every local public school tomorrow.
EveryLibrary will continue to stand up for school libraries, educators, and students everywhere.
EveryLibrary
https://www.everylibrary.org/
Sign a petition supporting the right to read in DOD schools
https://action.everylibrary.org/dodsc...
Mod
Honestly, if you voted for Trump you should at the very least be shaking your head.
Kelly Jensen of BookRiot writes:"At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, schools—part of the Department of Defense Education Activity—cart fulls of books are being removed from shelves per directives to rid schools of most anything not about cishet, able-bodied, Christian white men. Goodbye books about slavery and civil rights."
https://clarksvillenow.com/local/book...
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Clarksville Now, lays out several new directives. Many of them were expected, including that programs designated for girls “may only be accessed by biological females,” and that signage for restrooms and locker rooms must use terms such as “women” and “men” or “girls” and “boys.”
But the document also bans celebration or promotion of “monthly cultural observances.” This includes the immediate cancellation of any celebrations under way. At Fort Campbell Schools, that meant teachers had to remove all bulletin boards that reference Black History Month and Black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks, according to a source speaking to Clarksville Now on condition of anonymity. Fort Campbell Schools are also canceling plans for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There’s no word yet on Women’s History Month, set for March.
Another directive calls for the removal of all books and materials related to “discriminatory equity ideology” during an “operational compliance review.” Librarians are instructed to ensure any such books are “removed from the student section of the information center and placed in the professional collection.”
At Fort Campbell, administrators and librarians are interpreting the guidance to apply to anything that deals with diversity, inclusion or equity, and anything that could be perceived to promote one group over another or make one group look bad, the source said. That would include any books that mention slavery, the civil rights movement or the treatment of Native Americans.
The libraries at Fort Campbell schools are closed to students while staff removes books that could fall under the directive. At one elementary school, that has amounted to hundreds of books in several stacks, filling rolling carts. They have a deadline of Feb. 18.
“The librarians are frustrated – they’re not getting any true guidance but are getting specific time frames” for when they have to have it done, the source said.
Ironically, some of those history books on civil rights might reference the deployment of the 101st Airborne to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 to protect Black students during the desegregation of a high school, a pivotal moment in civil rights history.
“It’s very disheartening,” the source said. “I don’t know where else it’s going to go.”
At another DoDEA school in Europe, all references to Disability Awareness Month have been ordered removed, and libraries are removing books that discuss immigration in a positive light, another source said.
Duval County Public Schools (FL) will decide what to do with Identical by Ellen Hopkins in the coming weeks. It’s that district’s first challenge and was challenged back in fall 2023. This is the same county that banned the resources from Perfection Learning!
https://www.wokv.com/news/local/duval...
While the conservative parent group [M4L] didn’t file the challenge, it has closely watched the process, which Nathanson argued has been slow walked.
“The entire challenge process was put on ice and the district was not following school board policy. So, a year went by with absolutely no action,” said Nathanson.
On Thursday, the final member of the review committee officially completed their training.
Duval School Board Member Cindy Pearson (District 3) said training the parent committee members was the last thing preventing the review from being conducted.
“And they will have another meeting on Mar. 5 to deliberate their reviews of the book,” said Pearson.
But Nathanson argued there’s no reason why it should have taken more than a year to select and train a parent to serve on the committee.
“How can it take over a year to find a parent in a school district with over 100,000 students to serve on a committee? I know several people that have volunteered to serve. We’re ignored,” said Nathanson.
The full review committee will make a final recommendation on the book during the upcoming meeting in March.
From there, it will be up to the new conservative majority on the school board to make a final decision on whether it should be removed or restricted.
The censors The you know whos, specifically:
Rebecca Nathanson with Moms for Liberty
This is nuts. What kind of dystopian reality are we living right now?Cy-Fair Independent School District (TX) has torn out entire chapters from textbooks covering topics they disagree with, such as climate change. This story says it happened “quietly,” but Kelly Jensen and BookRiot announced this was happening since the moment it made the news.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/lo...
‘They call us crazy’: Cy-Fair ISD faces backlash over controversial textbook revisions
In a move that has sparked both debate and outrage, Cy-Fair Independent School District has made significant changes to its textbooks, removing entire chapters on controversial topics such as vaccines, climate change, and diversity.
The decision, which was implemented quietly last year, continues to fuel tensions among parents, educators, and board members.
The individual chapters, which once addressed subjects like the science behind vaccines, climate change, and the importance of diversity, are now unavailable to students both in print and online.
Some parents, particularly those with children in high school, are voicing concerns about the impact these changes will have on their children’s education.
Tara Cummings, a mother with a freshman daughter, shared her fears that her child’s education will be incomplete, especially since she aspires to pursue a career in medicine. Cummings’ daughter, in a heartfelt letter, expressed anxiety over the omission of critical scientific topics from her coursework.
The controversy has extended beyond parents, with educators also expressing their dismay. One teacher, who had been recognized as “Teacher of the Year,” resigned in protest over the board’s actions, according to the Cy-Fair American Federation Teacher. Additionally, the district’s refusal to engage in discussions with the media has added to the frustration.
Despite multiple requests for interviews, Cy-Fair ISD officials, including Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian, have declined KPRC 2 Investigates requests to discuss the issue, leading many to question the transparency of the decision-making process.
As the controversy continues to unfold, many parents and students are calling for greater transparency and accountability from their elected school board officials.
The book and titles of removed chapters are:
Biology, Texas Miller & Levine
Chapter 13- The Challenge of Disease
Chapter 16- Human Impact on the Biosphere
Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World Texas Edition (Only choice from the SBOE adopted materials list)
Chapter 5- Species Interactions, Ecological Succession, and Population Control
Chapter 7- Saving Species and Ecosystem Services
Earth Systems, Texas Edition (Only choice from the SBOE adopted materials list)
Chapter 2- Earth Systems and Cycles
Chapter 6- Mineral and Energy Resources
Chapter 21- Climate and Climate Change
Principles of Education and Training, Teaching
Chapter 7- Schools and Society
Chapter 12- Understanding and Teaching Diverse Learners
Chapter 15- Technology for Instruction
Chapter 18- The Challenges of Teaching
Health Science Theory Clinicals, DHO Health Science
Chapter 8- Human Growth and Development
Chapter 10- Cultural Diversity
Textbooks are used as a resource for the district curriculum. For the removed chapters, the curriculum team is using other resources such as web articles, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Center for Disease Control, and the US Department of Health and Human Services to create curriculum. No TEKS have been removed from the course curriculum.
Villains of the day:
Board member Dr. Natalie Blassingame
Board member Christine Kalmbach
What do these South Carolina students think about book banning?https://www.southcarolinapublicradio....
On Feb. 11, a group of South Carolina students representing DAYLO, the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, visited the Statehouse to talk with lawmakers about the importance of book access.
Students like Harper Cridland-Hughes, 16, who goes to high school in Greenville, said she wants lawmakers to know that censoring books in any way is more harmful than helpful.
“I know what they’re saying and that they think they are protecting kids,” Harper said. “But kids are really smart, and they’re all creative. They’re all their own people, and restricting books is just shutting them all down.”
Harper also said she’s unconvinced that adults making these kinds of decisions on kids’ behalf are actually doing it for the kids.
“While they say they’re doing it for the kids, they’re really doing it for themselves, to kind of protect themselves from ideas that might be different,” she said. “They’re not really thinking of if from an actual kid’s perspective.”
Emily Alaia, 15, goes to high school in [Greenville]. Like Harper, Emily said talk of protecting kids from themselves is misguided.
“When they say they’re protecting the kids, maybe in their minds they’re protecting the kids, but I feel like the kids are very unprotected,” Emily said. “They aren’t being able to show their true belief and learn empathy through reading.”
She said she found herself in the main character of the book Suicide Notes, by Michael Thomas Ford. She said 15-year-old Jeff found a path through adversity in a way that allowed her to know how to talk to her parents about things she was going through herself. She worries that kids who could benefit from learning about themselves through reading others’ stories won’t even know that a helpful story even exists.
One of the counters to parents’ – and kids’ – concerns about censorship is that all titles banned from school libraries are not actually banned; that they are still available in stores and online.
But Patrick Good, 17, says this argument doesn’t work for him.
“I go to a private school, so I do have access to some of these books,” Patrick said. “Also, I have parents who do very well for themselves and I’d be able to order books off Amazon whenever I really feel like it. But that’s not everyone.”
Patrick says he volunteered at a school district in Beaufort County where more than half of students live below the poverty line.
“I know a good portion of those kids won’t be able to go home and order a half-dozen books off Amazon every other month,” he said.
The end game for the students representing DAYLO is to get state lawmakers to listen, they hope enough to get some kind of state legislation passed to protect access to books in school libraries. They also support proposed House Bill 3264, sponsored by Democrats Heather Bauer and Seth Rose, both of Richland County, which promotes critical thinking and media literacy in schools.
The kids know it’s a big ask. But, as Patrick said, “I feel like I have to do something.”
Liars and censor of the day
“It is very disturbing for people to make huge leaps in logic to … say that we're banning books,” said Cheryl Abrams Collier, a college English professor and member of the BOE’s Instructional Materials Review Committee, or IMRC. “The committee is not banning books. That is not the purpose of this committee.”
Rather, Collier said, the IMRC is keeping kids away from books its members fear might be harmful for kids to read. Each of the books pulled on Feb. 4 contains s--ual content. Three of the books deal with themes of abuse.
I can't read too much more of this. I'm just feeling so sad and anxious and helpless.Kelly Jensen reports:
"The Eagle, Idaho, city council has been denying new appointees to the library’s board for reasons like their experience working in libraries. This is the same city council responsible for a bill in the state that would allow city administration to fire library directors—all of this is, of course, because the library won’t ban books that city officials are brainwashed not to like."
https://boisedev.com/news/2025/02/12/...
A third name put forward for the Eagle Library Board of Trustees got the thumbs down this week.
On Tuesday, Eagle Mayor Brad Pike brought back another two names for city council members to approve to be appointed to the board: Nikki Hyer and Joanne Macomber. But, after comments from Eagle City Council Member, and library board liaison, Melissa Gindlesperger the city council unanimously turned down Hyer to be appointed to the board.
Gindlesperger and other council members said Hyer’s experience serving on the board previously and her work with the nonprofit board that supports the library made them want to select someone else. Hyer was appointed to the Eagle library board in 2016 and served from 2017 through 2022.
“While I believe she is a very fantastic candidate and well-qualified, I would appreciate for the opportunity for another member to be appointed to this position for the library board,” Gindlesperger said. “I think there are a lot of challenges the library is currently having right now and I think a fresh perspective and a new set of eyes for this position would be appropriate.”
The Eagle library board has been down two members since the abrupt removal of Sarah Hayes and Kelsey Taylor in October. Neither former board member, city officials or Pike have spoken publicly about what led to their removal, but a BoiseDev review of meetings from 2024, meeting materials, and emails between Hayes, Taylor, and library staff show the pair frequently stood out for requests for staff to take measures beyond complying with the state’s new law to root out materials in the library preemptively they deemed inappropriate for children.
A move from the Eagle Library Board of Trustees to remove three books from library shelves and another twenty to be moved out of the Young Adult section led to the city’s library being named in a lawsuit from students, librarians, parents, and several of the world’s largest publishing companies, against the State of Idaho over a 2024 library materials law.
Pike proposed to appoint Ashley Schreiber and Bret Patterson last month, but city council unanimously turned down both candidates after Gindlesperger accused Pike of not considering her input on the appointment.
After the vote, Pike did not argue with Gindlesperger or the other council members. He said he would bring back another name for consideration for appointment by the next city council meeting.
Same libraryLegislature considers allowing city councils to hire, fire library directors after Eagle library dispute
A new piece of legislation would give city elected officials, not just the library board, the power to hire or fire the city’s library director.
On Monday, Rep. Jeff Cornilles, R-Nampa, earned approval to introduce a bill that would allow cities to change their code so city councils could have control over the municipal library system’s director. Currently, state code leaves this authority to the city’s library boards which are appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council.
Cornilles said this bill “was brought to me a week or two ago” stemming from a situation in a Treasure Valley city he didn’t name to the committee. After the committee adjourned, Cornilles told BoiseDev he believed the city hoping to change the law was Eagle, but he couldn’t share any specific details because he offered to carry the bill for someone else.
BoiseDev asked to be directed to the legislator who brought up the issue to learn more, but he declined to name them. He said the City of Nampa would also like this authority, even if there are no current issues.
“It stems from a city in the valley that wished to get rid of a library director and they couldn’t because they didn’t have the authority to do that,” he said. “This is saying if the city has a public library, they get to have the choice of leaving the discretion of hiring and firing up to the library board. This city really wants to have this happen.”
During the hearing, Rep. Lucas Cayler, R-Caldwell, asked Cornilles to share more details about what lead to the bill, but Cornilles had few details.
“I don’t know the exact story,” he said. “I do know it was a local entity that does have a public library. I don’t know if this had anything to do with any of the stuff we’ve done over the last couple of years with libraries. I’m guessing so, but I have no idea at this point.”
Mayor Brad Pike told BoiseDev Tuesday afternoon that he did not learn about the bill until Monday, the day it was introduced.
The Eagle Library Board of Trustees is currently down two members after the Eagle City Council unanimously voted to remove Sarah Hayes and Kelsey Taylor after an executive session in early October. Since then, the Eagle City Council unanimously denied Pike’s appointees to the board after he publicly clashed with another city council member over the appointment process.
Neither former board member, city officials or Pike have spoken publicly about what led to their removal, but a BoiseDev review of meetings from 2024, meeting materials, and emails between Hayes, Taylor, and library staff show the pair frequently stood out for requests for staff to take measures beyond complying with the state’s new law to root out materials in the library preemptively they deemed inappropriate for children.
A move from the Eagle Library Board of Trustees to remove three books from library shelves and another twenty to be moved out of the Young Adult section led to the city’s library being named in a lawsuit from students, librarians, parents, and several of the world’s largest publishing companies, against the State of Idaho over a 2024 law over library materials.
The Eagle Library Board of Trustees had an item on its September 2024 meeting agenda before the removal calling for an employee evaluation submitted by City Council Member Melissa Gindlesperger. Mayor Brad Pike appeared at the meeting on her behalf and said he would be evaluating Library Director Steve Bumgarner because he is a department head, but library board members could submit their feedback to him to consider.
Follow-up/cover up
Eagle leadership claims library director bill was for ‘clean up’, not firing city library leader
https://boisedev.com/news/2025/02/14/...
Eagle’s elected officials came out in strong support for the city’s library director this week after a state legislator indicated the city was seeking a legislative fix to help them terminate a city employee.
Last week, Rep. Jeff Cornilles, R-Nampa, introduced HB 209 in the House Local Government Committee that would give cities with municipal library systems the option for city councils to have the authority to hire and fire their library directors, instead of their appointed library boards. Cornilles told the committee he didn’t “know the exact story,” but the bill was brought to him by a Treasure Valley city hoping to terminate a library director and didn’t have the authority to do so.
“It stems from a city in the valley that wished to get rid of a library director and they couldn’t because they didn’t have the authority to do that,” he said. “This is saying if the city has a public library, they get to have the choice of leaving the discretion of hiring and firing up to the library board. This city really wants to have this happen.”
Cornilles didn’t name the city in the hearing, but told BoiseDev afterward he had heard it was the City of Eagle looking for the legislative fix. He declined to say which legislator brought the bill to him for further reporting.
The Eagle City Council met in a special meeting Wednesday and voted unanimously to send a letter of support for the legislation and criticized media reports from the statehouse indicating Eagle Library Director Steve Bumgarner was on the chopping block.
City Council President Mary May said the bill was for “clean up” to fix a loophole in code that makes appointed library board members in charge of the hiring and firing of a city department head and was not needed as a means to fire Bumgarner.
...
Pike echoed May’s support for Bumgarner.
“I’ll emphatically support the fact that we are not firing our library board director,” Pike said. “I don’t know where that came from, but we’re not doing that. He’s done such an outstanding job and we’ll continue to support him 100%.”
The decision not to relocate six books in the Columbia County Library (GA) has been appealed by a local book banner.https://theaugustapress.com/recently-...
That link is paywalled but Google tells me what's going on from other news sources
Drama
Raina Telgemeier opinion piece
https://www.gacolumbiacountyobserver....
Censors:
Katie Allen, the elected Columbia County School Board representative for District 4
Katie Allen was very outspoken about this particular book when her then Middle School child checked the book out from her teacher’s classroom library. There are gay characters in the book and there is a stage-kiss between two of the male characters. Katie Allen was quite active in her opposition to this book and others, claiming it was sexual content. She also is representing herself in a lawsuit against the Columbia County School District over this issue claiming “parental rights.”
Based on reporting from Augusta Press though, the District’s lawyers have maintained that in her lawsuit, Katie Allen is so broad in what she considers “s--ual”, that it would make even the teaching of Shakespeare and biology difficult. As of now, it’s my understanding that the local judge ruled on behalf of the District and Katie Allen has appealed that decision, so the drama continues.
Mrs. Bence
Librarian’s Recommendation: Move out of Children’s Graphic Novels and into Middle Ground
Mrs. Bence’s Preference: Adult Books
Mrs Bence (transcript):
This is Drama. It's a resubmission from two and a half years ago. The theme of this book is eighth graders. One steady and changing partners constantly. They're planning for graduation from eighth grade and eighth grade prom. And in childhood psychology, I remember way back in the 70s, we learned that middle school is the time to develop same sex friendships. Even though there are crushes. And some pairing up is secondary to the stepping block toward healthy heterosexual friendships later by having your same sex friends. So this is completely skimmed up or bypassed. And this developmental stage is completely ignored in this book. Instead of being preoccupied with sports, friendships, family, hobbies, this book is saturated with who's going with whom. And this is a graphic book. There's a cell phone conversation late at night in the bedroom as the parent does not even take the phone. No parental supervision. The kids are running their own life. Comedy or comics like these are a good way to break down the social mores. When we laugh at some of these situations they're in. Pairing up the two men, the two boys and the two girls. Callie is constantly surprised by the next gay discovery. But she keeps discovering more and more of her friends are gay. Page 10, graphic mouth kissing not age appropriate. Page 19, normalizing deep romance. Not appropriate. Page 58. It is not surprising we've seen the boom in homosexuality. When a child feels particularly close to their own gender, they begin to think they're homosexual. From books Just like this. So I think this one I recommended going up from juvenile to middle ground or adult. I said adult for supervision. So it would go from. It's in ju. It's in juvie now juvenile. In fact, I think there's a couple copies in juvenile. It should go up to adult for supervision. Very convincing that most of your friends are homosexual. And the E probably are homosexual. It's a very big bestseller. Drama is the big bestseller.
Mrs. Bence asserts that according to child psychology classes in the 1970s, middle school was noted as a time to develop same-sex relationships. I’m not sure what they were teaching in the 1970s but according to this article I found on Pub Med written in 2008, early adolescence is actually the time when opposite-sex relationships become increasingly more important. In other words, it’s normal for 8th graders to start having relationships with their opposite-sex peers. Kids will have crushes and will begin having boyfriends/girlfriends. It is also not very unusual in our public middle schools for kids to not only know that they are gay in 8th grade, but to be open about it. Kids, even LGBTQ+ kids, still have same-sex friends as well. Social relationships, including best friends and budding romantic relationships, are very important to middle school students. Even if a kid doesn’t have a boyfriend/girlfriend, these kids are all buzzing with who is “dating” who. It was the same way when I was in Middle School in the late 80’s.
Arizona isn't known for their book challenges but Scottsdale Unified School District (AZ) have banned 16 books after a letter from a conservative local group complained about them. The list seems to be taken from BookLooks of course.https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/...
The Scottsdale Unified School District decided to remove 16 books from high school library shelves after a conservative coalition sent a letter saying "pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable content” was being offered to students.
In the letter sent to the Scottsdale Unified Governing Board in July, the group called for the removal of 18 books.
The letter was sent on behalf of several organizations, including Scottsdale Unites for Educational Integrity, Arizona Women of Action and Restore Parental Rights in Education. It said the books cited "fail to possess any serious educational value for minors, or serious artistic, literary, political or scientific value," mirroring language in a state law passed in 2022 that prohibits public schools from referring students to or using any "s--ually explicit material."
In a statement, the school district said that parents were encouraged to be involved in their student's education.
"We invite parents to review our school libraries’ inventory and, should they have concerns, to use the process SUSD has established to either restrict their own student’s access to a particular title or to challenge the book’s value in our public-school libraries," the school district's statement said. The processes for a parent to restrict a book from being checked out by their child and to challenge a library book can both be initiated on the Scottsdale Unified website.
The books were removed from libraries in August, according to the district, while they were reviewed. Most of the challenged books had not been checked out by students in the past four school years, according to district records.
The books listed in the conservative groups' challenge letter each have a rating from BookLooks.org, a site launched in 2022 that has become a starting place for people interested in getting books removed from schools.
The letter to Scottsdale Unified provided the BookLooks rating for each challenged book and requested any book rated at the higher end of the website's scale be removed. Books at the top of the scale, a 5 out of 5, are described as containing "aberrant content."
In the letter, a reason each book was challenged, pulled from BookLooks, was offered. Some reasons cited include references to child molestation, explicit s--ual activity, drug abuse and references to “alternate” sexualities and gender ideologies. [LGBTQIA+]
"This request is not to ban books," the letter said, according to a copy posted on the Scottsdale Unites for Educational Integrity website. "All of the books mentioned in this letter ... are widely available in bookstores and other online and brick-and-mortar retail outlets."
Kristine Harrington, a Scottsdale Unified spokesperson, said the decision to remove the books was based on several factors, including legal analysis and circulation data.
"Identical" by Ellen Hopkins, for instance, was checked out 38 times after being added to Saguaro High School shelves in 2009. But the book was released in 2008, and it had not been checked out once since 2020, according to data provided by the district.
"Sold" by Patricia McCormick was one of the more popular books on the challenge list, having also been checked out 38 times at Saguaro since it was added in 2008. But it had only been checked out twice at that school since 2020.
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)
More...
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)
More...
North Gibson School Board set to vote on possible book banning
https://www.14news.com/2025/02/12/nor...
A parent with a student in the North Gibson School Corporation wants a book banned.
It’s called Ready Player One.
Superintendent Dr. Eric Goggins says the school board has a policy to allow parents to formally challenge curricular material, which this parent has followed.
He says a review committee recommended the book remain.
Dr. Goggins says he then reviewed the findings and also decided the book should remain.
The parent has appealed that decision, and now the school board will make a vote.
The public meeting will be held Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 5p.m., at Princeton Community Middle School Auditorium.
...
The Superintendent actually READ the book and decided: "The complainant did present valid concerns, with one of those being the viewpoint of the main character in regards to his view of organized religion and his comparison of God to Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. However, he failed to represent a critical counter viewpoint on organized religion from another highly relevant character who is acknowledged by the main character as an influential and impactful individual in his life due to her outward religious belief and faith and her loving care for him. Furthermore, it was evident that there was a strong connection between the content of the book as a whole to the theme of the curricular unit, The Hero’s Journey, as well as strong correlation of the curriculum to relevant Indiana State Academic Standards. These specific facts established the literary and educational value of the text within the curriculum."
The complainant subsequently appealed the super's decision to the school board. As outlined in board policy, the final decision now rests with the board.