Censorship Colleen Adam Laura Mc Coy Laura DonhauserWymer

Censorship Colleen Adam, Laura Mc. Coy, Laura Donhauser-Wymer

Position Statement n n It is the job of the Library Media Specialist (LMS) to protect the intellectual freedom of his/her students’. Applicable Principles of The American Association of School Librarian’s Information Access and Delivery Principles of School Library Media Programs (AASL, 1998) n n n Principle 1: The LMS “provides intellectual access to information and ideas for learning. ” Principle 2: The LMS “provides physical access to information and resources for learning. ” Principle 4: The “library media program requires flexible and equitable access to information, ideas, and resources for learning. ” Principle 6: The “library media program is founded on a commitment to the right of intellectual freedom. Principle 7: “The information policies, procedures, and practices of the library media program reflect legal guidelines and professional ethics. ”

What would Della do?

Important Vocabulary to Know

Challenged n An attempt to remove or restrict materials based upon the objections of a person or a group.

Banned n Removal of materials.

Stealth Censorship n A parent, community member or librarian, fearing controversy, will remove a book from the shelf.

Self Censorship n See “Stealth Censorship”

Topics Prone to Censorship in the United States (ALA, 2009) n Sexually Explicit Content n n Unsuited to Age Group n n Challenge Example: The Perks of Being a Wallflower Challenge Example: The Color Purple Violent Content n Challenge Example: My Sister’s Keeper

Censorship in Public Schools

Island Trees School District v. Pico n Landmark Supreme Court case which establishes the rights of students to not only express information but, also to receive it.

Role of Media Specialist in Censorship

Role of Media Specialist in Censorship n It is your job to protect the principle of intellectual freedom. n If you are writing your own policy, this should be included in that policy.

Role of Media Specialist in Censorship n n n When someone comes to you with a complaint, always listen calmly and politely. Explain the school’s selection policy to see if this might dissuade the complainant. If not, follow school policy regarding reevaluation of materials. (Bishop, 2007)

BCPS Challenge Policy n n Listen calmly and objectively. Explain the selection criteria used in BCPS. Have complainant fill out appropriate form. Advise Office of Library and Information Technology of the complaint.

BCPS Challenge Policy Cont’d n n Confer with the principal about the resource (it is recommended to not remove the resource at this point). LMS and complainant will be notified when a decision is reached.

Howard County Public Schools Challenge Policy n n Community member fills out appropriate form. Form will be forwarded to review committee. Book will be removed from shelf until decision is made. n Committee will recommend to approve/disapprove material. n Committee will submit a copy of evaluation to complainant. n

Howard County Public Schools Challenge Policy Cont’d n n n Committee Recommendation will be sent to Board of Ed who will take action. No reevaluation will be allowed for 2 years. Complainant will be notified.

Examples of Censorship in BCPS n Froggy Went A-Courtin’ removed from Elementary schools n Middle School Survival Guide removed from Elementary schools

Censorship and Media

Acceptable Use Policies * “It outlines the terms and conditions for Internet use by defining access privileges, rules of online behavior, and the consequences of violating those rules” (Media Awareness Network 2010 a) * Create a Checklist

Laws *Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (June 2003 court case ruled it does NOT violate the First Amendment) *Elementary and Secondary Education Act *Maryland: Requires public libraries to adopt policies to prevent minors from obtaining access to obscene materials via the internet (Dec 2009)

Issues n Filtering/Rating Software n Parental Support n Use of Wikis/Blogs

Bibliography n n American Association of School Librarians. (1998). Information power: building partnerships for learning. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. (2010). About banned & challenged books. Retrieved from http: //www. ala. org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/aboutbannedb ooks/index. cfm American Library Association. (2010). Checklist for creating an internet use policy. Retrieved from http: //ala. org/ala/aboutala/ovvices/oif/iftoolkits/litoolkit/checkli stcreating. cfm Baltimore County Public School System. (2010). Selection criteria for School Library Media Center Collections. Retrieved from https: //intranet. bcps. org/offices/lis/office/admin/selection. html

Bibliography Cont’d n n Bishop, K. (2007). The collection program in schools: concepts, practices and information sources. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. Erlandson, R. (1996, October 11). Froggy sent a-packin' ban: baltimore county schools bounce "froggy went a-courtin' " from their library shelves, and the author leaps to his book's defense. The Baltimore Sun Howard County Public School System. (2010). Selection of instructional materials. Retrieved from http: //www 2. hcpss. org/met/media/files/8040. pdf Media Awareness Network. (2010). Acceptable use policies for internet use. Retrieved from http: //mediaawareness. ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/wa_resource s/wa_teachers/backgrounders/acceptable_use. cfm

Bibliography Cont’d n n Media Awareness Network. (2010). Internet censorship: issues for teacher-librarians. Retrieved from http: //mediahttp: //www. mediaawareness. ca/english/resources/special_initiatives/wa_resource s/wa_shared/backgrounders/internet_censorship_schrader. cfm National Conference of State Legislatures. (2009). Children and the Internet: laws relating to filtering, blocking and usage policies in schools and libraries. Retrieved from http: //www. ncsl. org/default. aspx? tabid=13491