There has been a lively discussion going on over at Read Roger, prompted by Lee & Low asking why the number of multicultural books has stagnated for the past 18 years.
business
Administrator Wants to Avoid Controversy
Q: A parent came and talked to me about a book their child checked out. They are upset it was available in the school library. My administrator thinks it’s better to make the book go away …
Observations on Publishing in 2012
Everything we do at the CCBC begins and ends with the books themselves. We examine every one of the hundreds of titles that come into the library each year, and subsequently read a number of them.
Censorship vs. Selection in the Curriculum
Q: The English department at my high school has been discussing removing several titles from the summer reading list and curriculum and replacing them with less controversial novels. Is there anything that can be done …
Observations on Publishing in 2011
Everything we do at the CCBC begins and ends with the books themselves. We examine every one of the hundreds of titles that come into the library each year, and subsequently read a number of them.
Educating Parents about Intellectual Freedom
Q: How can I educate parents and members of the community about intellectual freedom and the negative effects of censorship? (Especially when all they are doing in their minds is trying to protect their/our children?) …
Reassuring Teachers Concerned about What I’m Ordering
Q: Some teachers have complained to me that the DVD’s I recently ordered are “too liberal.” They haven’t asked for them to be removed, but I am not sure how to deal with this. I …
Respecting the Right to Challenge Materials
Q: Sometimes when I read about why someone complained about a book, I want to roll my eyes. Obviously, I won’t do this if I’m faced with a challenge, yet moving from understanding that someone …
Collection Development by Committee?
Q: What do you think of collection development by committee? With the elimination of library media specialist positions in our district, the principal at my school wants book selection for each school to be done by …
Talking to Students about “Bad” Language in Books
Q: I’m not sure how to respond when students point out swear words in books. I’m not sure myself why authors put some words in children’s novels. I struggle with what to say when this …