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  2. What IF ... Forum

What IF … Forum

Collection Development by Committee?

Posted on August 24, 2011

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 …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Communication and Advocacy

Talking to Students about “Bad” Language in Books

Posted on August 4, 2011

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 …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Communication and Advocacy, School Libraries

LGBTQ Materials in Small Public Library

Posted on September 27, 2010

Q: I work in a small public library. I feel that I should be including books with gay, lesbian and transgender content in our collection, but I’m afraid of the possible repercussions. I’m not certain the …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Collection Development, Policies and Procedures, Public Libraries

Educating Library Aides and Teachers

Posted on May 10, 2010

Q: I haven’t done an adequate job preparing my aide and classroom teachers in readers’ advisory during checkout time.  How should I start addressing not only this but intellectual freedom issues? What a great question. …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Communication and Advocacy, Policies and Procedures, School Libraries

LGBTQ Materials in Elementary Libraries

Posted on April 20, 2010

Q: I live and work in a conservative community. I’m scared to collect books about transgender children or with gay- and lesbian-parents for my elementary school library. I’m afraid at the least the principal will be upset, …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Censorship and Self-Censorship, Collection Development, Policies and Procedures, School Libraries

Supporting a Colleague Facing a Challenge

Posted on March 21, 2010

Q: Recently there was a book challenge at the library in a neighboring community. I thought often about contacting the librarian in the middle of it all but didn’t know if it would be welcome. …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Classrooms/Curriculum, Communication and Advocacy, Materials Concerns/Challenges, Public Libraries, School Libraries

Suspending Borrowing Privileges

Posted on March 4, 2010

Q: What do you think about the practice of prohibiting students from checking out books if they have lost or seriously overdue library materials? My school has a two-strikes-and-you’re out policy, after which students can still …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Policies and Procedures, School Libraries

Religious-Themed Fiction in Public School Libraries

Posted on March 5, 2009

Q: Are there any concerns to consider or have there been any challenges related to bringing religious-themed fiction books into a public school library? “Religious-themed” fiction that is published with the intent of promoting specific …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Classrooms/Curriculum, Collection Development, School Libraries

Requests to “Level” the Collection

Posted on December 5, 2008

Q: I’m feeling pressure to “level” the collection at my K-5 school so teachers can easily direct their students to books at their reading level. I feel strongly that this goes against what I believe …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Classrooms/Curriculum, Communication and Advocacy, School Libraries

Should I Contact Author of a Challenged Book

Posted on February 5, 2008

Q: Recently, we had a challenge to a book, and a colleague suggested that I contact the author. I ended up running out of time and never did it, and the outcome was fine (the book …

Posted in What IF ... ForumTagged Classrooms/Curriculum, Materials Concerns/Challenges, Public Libraries, School Libraries
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