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What is happening in the Library?
Banned Book Week was in October. Librarians, and the American Library Association, believe in the 1st Amendment and the freedom to access diverse ideas and perspectives. In 1939, the ALA adopted the Library Bill of Rights and has since reaffirmed it through more specific Interpretations pertaining to School Libraries and more.
Many of the reasons people challenge books come from good intentions. Those intentions are generally to protect someone from an idea that the concerned party finds dangerous. The problem with that, is not everyone agrees on what is and is not dangerous, appropriate, or even high quality. Therefore, librarians believe decisions about whether or not to read specific materials rests with the individual reader with input from their family members.
Challenges to books have recently been in the news both locally and nationally. It is important to know that school districts are required to have a board approved policy for both the selection and reconsideration of library books and instructional materials. These policies outline criteria for choosing books and the process that must be followed if a challenge occurs. The ICCSD Board Policy for Selection and Reconsideration can be found here listed under 605. In general, if a challenge occurs, materials of concern will continue to be used and available until the formal process comes to a conclusion.
You can learn more about censorship, book challenges, and intellectual freedom at the ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom.