Speaking as someone who once defied a local board of education, you are exactly
right. Personally, I've not come across a book yet, except one, that I would be
willing to lose my job over. I learned my lesson.
--
Shannon D. Wham, Librarian
Bell Street MS
600 Peachtree St.
Clinton, SC 29325
sdwham@laurens56.k12.sc.us
sdeanwham@charter.net
"Id temporis consilium bonum videbatur"
---- David Lininger <tss003@TNP.MORE.NET> wrote:
> Juliann Moskowitz wrote:
>
> >I'm at the high school level so this "Lucky" issue doesn't effect me but, I
>think you have to realize that some librarians who chose not to include a
>particular title in their collection for fear of controversy might also fear
>losing their job.
> >
> >
> <snip>
>
> >I don't think we should be judging librarians that chose not to add certain
>books to their collection. Are you willing to lose your job over a book?
> >
>
> While I was replying privately to Richie Partington, this post came in,
> and I thought I'd share some of my thoughts with the whole group.
>
> The ALA does, indeed, have some fine-sounding statements. Their
> statements, though, have little weight in the real world. Consider this
> scenario:
>
> After reading all the reviews, following your rigorous selection policy,
> you purchase a book that seems to fit your school population. There are
> some parts to it that you wouldn't have put that way, but overall you
> think it is a good selection. After a period of time, though, someone
> thinks otherwise and files a challenge. The challenge policy is followed
> all the way to the Board, and the Board decides that the book must go.
> What do you do? The ALA would argue that you ought to continue to fight
> for the book. They won't replace your lost salary and benefits, though,
> if you defy the Board, nor do they maintain a blacklist of Districts
> that don't follow ALA policy.
>
> We can fuss about that District all we want, but if you defy the Board,
> you will be replaced at the next Board meeting. ALA, LM_NET, or any
> other organization does not have the authority to stop it. Like it or
> not, the local community, through their elected Board members, has the
> final say over what is in the library and who works there. Even
> spreading the word here on LM_NET that XYZ District "banned" a book
> won't keep them from getting qualified applicants.
>
> Unless you are so wealthy that you don't need your job, you WILL err on
> the side of caution because you want to keep your paycheck coming in.
>
> --
> David Lininger, kb0zke,
> MS/HS librarian
> Hickory County R-1 Schools
> Urbana, MO 65767
> 417-993-4226
> tss003 at tnp dot more dot net
>
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