Molly,
You're right about how sad it is that we have to think along these
lines...but what occurred to me is that this will fit exactly into my
banned books week lesson next week - I've pulled many of the "top 100"
titles that we have on our shelves and my plan is to start by asking the
kids what do they think these books have in common - then give them a
few minutes to see if they can figure out why some of these titles are
banned and then use it all as a lead in to a discussion of what
librarians do/what the difference is between weeding and censoring or
banning and then moving in to Cheryl Youse's weeding lesson as a hands
on application of it all (we'll do all of this over 2 weeks). I'm so
excited about the prospect of the whole thing that I've asked our
principal to come in during one of the classes to observe and use it as
one of my observations for the year (which has the added benefit of
keeping her in the loop in case there are any complaints).
Sheri Zachary, Librarian
Ravenwood Elementary School
Eagle River, AK
Zachary_sheri@asdk12.org
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of MOLLY CLARK
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 2:03 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: ELE: Sticky notes to censor
Okay, David's letter has made me really paranoid about my Banned Books
Week lessons in which I deliberately stir the pot by showing kids the
naked man in Shel Silverstein's book or give them "banned" books and ask
them to discover what people think is wrong. Talk about opening a can
of worms....
It's a great topic for discussion and the kids get so passionate about
it, but I can hear the conversations at home now.
How sad that we have to think like this.
Molly Clark
Intermediate Librarian
Michael Maroun Elementary School
Phoenix, NY
mclark2@phoenix.k12.ny.us
"What a school thinks about its library, is a measure of what it thinks
about education." Harold Howe, former U.S. Commissioner of Education
>>> David Lininger <tss003@TNP.MORE.NET> 09/26/07 3:48 PM >>>
Harry Coffill wrote:
>OK. I'll keep it "even-keel."
>
>Even giving all of your follow-ups, did you really think that a
list-serv of librarians was going to back up censorship?
>
I wasn't going to join this discussion, but a comment that I overheard
today got me to thinking. In our lawsuit-happy society today, just
imagine what would happen if some little child came home from school and
said something like, "Mommy, the librarian showed us a picture of a
n*k*d boy today." (vowels omitted purposely). If Mommy is at all upset
with the school prior to this little "report," what do you think will
happen? Do you really think that Mommy will calmly make an appointment
to talk to the librarian BEFORE talking to anyone else? The fortunate
librarian will be the one in which Mommy calls the principal first. In
all too many cases, Mommy will call the local television station first.
How supportive will your principal be when the tv news crew shows up and
asks, "Why is your librarian showing pictures of n*k*d boys in school?"
Since most elementary librarians are women, this opens up another whole
issue. Now imagine if this is in a smaller District (like mine) where
the superintendent's office is right next door to the principal's
office.
What is censorship to one librarian may be proactive thinking to
another. Yes, it is a sad state of affairs when our actions are governed
by "what might be" rather than common sense. As someone else has said,
though, what used to be known as common sense is far from common these
days.
Take this for what it cost you.
--
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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