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What IF … Forum

What IF is a question-and-answer forum for teachers, school and public librarians and others in the library and education fields. We all have questions about intellectual freedom and challenges to materials. The What IF forum is a place to turn to ask these questions before a challenge occurs, and to help think through what the principles of intellectual freedom look like in practice.

First time visiting this forum? We recommend the post Most Important Thing in Responding to Materials Challenge as a starting point, providing essential information in preparing for and responding to concerns and challenges.

Ask us a What IF question: ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu

Accusations of Providing Pornography

Posted on December 21, 2021

Q: Someone recently accused the library where I work of providing pornography to youth. While I don’t believe that’s what the books they’re saying this about are, I’m wondering if you can address the difference between …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged public libraries, school libraries

Most Important Thing in Responding to Materials Challenge

Posted on October 26, 2021

Q: It seems like I’m hearing about challenges happening in many places right now. I’m trying to make sure we’re prepared in case it happens here. What do you think is the most important thing …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged policies, public libraries, school libraries

Weeding or Censorship?

Posted on March 17, 2021

Q: Why is it “censorship” if my library board removes a book that is challenged, and “weeding” if a staff member removes a book with problematic content?  Even though I know the difference, I’m genuinely …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged policies, public libraries, school libraries

Books with Racist Images

Posted on March 5, 2021

Q: What does the recent announcement from Seuss Enterprises that six Dr. Seuss books will no longer be published because of racist images mean for my library? We don’t have all of the books but …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged classrooms, policies, public libraries, school libraries

Concern about Graphic Novels

Posted on June 12, 2020

Q:  I continue to run into resistance from both parents and some colleagues at my school about graphic novels. Just the phrase “graphic novel” makes some adults pale, and that’s before they’ve even cracked a …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged policies, public libraries, school libraries

Complainant and Review Committee Information and Roles

Posted on March 29, 2020

Q: Do I send school policies and reviews of a book to a complainant, or just to the review committee? And how do I make sure the Review Committee understands its role? Those are great questions. …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged classrooms, policies, public libraries, school libraries

Preparing in Advance for a Complaint

Posted on March 29, 2020

Q: Are there some standard practices I should follow in order to be prepared for a book complaint? It’s great you’re thinking ahead regarding how to be prepared. Some people never face formal challenges in their …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged advocacy, classrooms, policies, public libraries, school libraries

How Can I Make Sure Selection Decisions Protect Children

Posted on March 27, 2020

Q: I struggle with how to uphold intellectual freedom but still protect the students within specific age-groups at the school where I work. How much is too much when it comes to content? Where do I …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged collection development, policies, school libraries, self-censorship

Struggle with Materials That Don’t Align with Personal Beliefs

Posted on March 27, 2020

Q: I struggle with selecting materials for our school library that are not compatible with my personal beliefs. I realize that the ALA Code of Ethics VII states that we “must distinguish between our personal …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged collection development, policies, school libraries, self-censorship

Director Suggests Moving Children’s Book to Adult Collection

Posted on March 27, 2020

Q: The director of the public library where I work has been saying informally that he thinks picture books with gay/lesbian/transgender characters belong in the adult section of the library. Because he hasn’t told me I …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged policies, public libraries
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