What IF is a question-and-answer forum for teachers, school and public librarians and others in the library and education fields.
The What IF forum is a place to turn to ask 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 reading The 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
What IF questions and responses about:
What IF questions and responses about:
- Censorship and Self-Censorship
- Communication and Advocacy
- Essential Information for Administrators and Library and School Boards
- Library Collection Development
- Preparing for/Responding to Materials Concerns and Challenges
- Policies and Procedures
Recent What IF Questions and Responses
Is there a way to make sure reconsideration requests are authentic?
Q: Recently, my district received a series of reconsideration requests consisting of information copied from websites featuring book reviews from sources intended to cast the books in a negative light. It seems like these requests …
How can I feel more confident that I’m ready to handle a complaint?
Q: I am graduating with my library degree soon. The many challenges around the country over the past few years have come up in my classes. I feel great about other aspects of librarianship, but …
Worried about District Support for Classroom Books
Q: I’m a classroom teacher and I feel like my district administration has become fearful of the potential for complaints from parents about what we’re teaching, especially with all the attempts around the country to …
Preparing for a Complaint
Q: I read your advice on preparing in advance to respond to a concern or complaint. It all makes sense but I feel like I should be doing more, given everything that’s been happening over …
Restrictions on Books and Access to Materials in the School Library
Q: I’ve seen several news stories recently in which districts have “restricted” some titles and students must get permission to check them out, and/or parents have the option of prohibiting their children from checking anything …
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