As a profession, we believe in carefully considering books to offer the best quality and diversity of ideas to our communities. We actively do NOT believe in banning books because a few people do not like them.

We have said this a bunch of times, and will continue to say it at least a million more: but, YOUR LIBRARY NEEDS A POLICY ABOUT THIS!

If you have one, then browse over it to be sure it’s all up to date. And if you don’t have one, google around and find one to use as a model. Or, just contact us! We are at admin @ cmle.org, and will be happy to help you draft a quick policy that fits your library’s needs.

You DO NOT want to be hanging there, alone and policy-free, if a parent or other community member starts yelling that you are giving filth to children! It’s uncomfortable, unhappy, and does not help anyone. Give people a strategy for expressing unease with a book, so a conversation can happen. It’s better for everyone.

Check out this editorial excerpt below to hear about a really impressive stand taken by this school board, and click to read the entire thing!

Editorial: Clear message sent on banning books

By The Ocala Star-Banner

“The Marion County School Board last week sent a strong signal about intellectual inquiry and the educational value of controversial literary works by rejecting requests to yank certain books from library shelves at county high and middle schools.

The board’s 4-1 vote supporting Superintendent Heidi Maier’s judgment issues a clear message that book banning is a serious matter that deserves thoughtful consideration because it’s fraught with unintended consequences.

To recap, “It’s Your Tea Party” and the Florida Citizens’ Alliance advocated removing nine books from school libraries. They complained mostly about graphic sexual content that, they claimed, bordered on obscenity and pornography, as well as racial slurs and other provocative content.

The list included some of the last century’s top literature, such as Anthony Burgess’s “Clockwork Orange,” the recently departed Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” and Frank McCourt’s “Angela’s Ashes.”

A special committee comprised of parents and district and school staff vetted the books. The panel recommended all nine books remain in high schools, and about half should stay in middle schools. Maier slightly disagreed. She accepted the findings on the high schools, and believed McCourt’s work and “Killing Mr. Griffin” by Lois Duncan should remain in middle schools. But she endorsed pulling three books from middle schools: “Beloved,” another Morrison book, “The Bluest Eye,” and “Dreaming in Cuban” by Cristina Garcia.

Over the critics’ objections on Monday, the School Board backed Maier’s recommendations. Member Nancy Stacy dissented, declaring that all of the books ought to be pulled from all of the schools.

We understand and even sympathize with some complaints raised by the objectors. Our children are exposed to so much salacious media that bit by bit strips them of their innocence too quickly. Schools ought to be hesitant to contribute to that.

That said, however, school librarians face sometimes dicey decisions to secure books that will stimulate, challenge, educate and entertain our young. Much of that rests on what is popular with the public and critics, and what publishers are pushing. And sometimes you don’t know.”

(Read the rest of this editorial here!)