It’s almost here: Banned Book Week!!

It’s weird to say we celebrate this week – it’s a sad thing, after all, to have books banned. But as a profession where our whole purpose is to share information, it’s good to let people know about books that may help them to stretch their ideas and perspectives.

Books can be banned for a variety of reasons. No matter what, every library should have a policy to let people know how a challenge should be handled – both staff and members of your community.

When you receive a challenge, the first temptation can be to panic. Perfectly normal, but take a nice deep breath.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

This is from the American Library Association’s Challenge Reporting site. You do NOT need to be a member of the ALA – they really, really want to hear from you no matter what!!

“Since 1990, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom has maintained a database on challenged materials. ALA collects information from two sources: media reports and reports submitted by individuals. Reports of challenges culled from media across the country are compiled in the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy; (subscriptions to JIFP include access to the archives of the Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom) those reports are then compiled in the resource guide, Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read.

All personal and institutional information submitted via this form is kept confidential. For material challenges, book titles and reasons may be disclosed upon inquiry.  If you have questions or would like to report the challenge over the phone, don’t hesitate to call 1-800-545-2433 x4226 or email oif@ala.org.”

 

Then click through their information, to be ready to meet your library and your community’s needs in challenges:

• How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
• Formal Written Requests for Reconsideration
• Guidelines for Reconsideration Committees
• Conducting a Challenge Hearing
• Working with the Media
• Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries
• Answering Questions about Youth and Access to Library Resources
• Working with Community Leaders