EDCI 549 Module 6 Book Challenges

This content reflects work done as part of the Indigenous Perspectives in School Librarianship (IPSL) grant funded by IMLS (RE-246303-OLS-20). Actual assignments may vary.

Module 6: Book Challenges

According to the American Library Association (ALA, 2023), in 2022, the [Office of Intellectual Freedom] “received a record number of 1,269 book challenges, the highest number of demands to ban books reported to ALA since the Association began compiling data about censorship in libraries. This nearly doubles the 729 challenges reported to OIF in 2021.” The ALA Code of Ethics states that “we uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.” School librarians are on the front line of the current “culture wars” around banning books and must be prepared to defend their collections, handle parental complaints calmly and with professionalism, and help educate their colleagues and administrators about the value of a diverse collection that meets learners curricular and personal reading needs.

Module Objectives

Compare and contrast differing perspectives on book censorship in schools.

Think

• Barbee, B. (2015, Jun 1). The importance of children’s literature. PSU Vanguard. https://psuvanguard.com/the-importance-of-childrens-literature/
• The benefits of LGBTQ+ books for kids. (n.d.). HarperCollins. https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/harperkids/lgbtq-books
• Student privacy laws: What district & school administrators need to know. Education Framework. https://educationframework.com/resources/student-privacy-laws/federal-laws

Additionally, read one or more of the following:

• Mello-Klein, C. (2022, Aug 24). Banning books in schools a “witch hunt” on people of color, LGBTQ community, Northeastern professor says. Northeastern Global News. https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/08/24/banned-books-in-us-schools/
• Banned and challenged books (2023). American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/
• Domingo, A. (n.d.). How to deal with book challenges. Prestwick House Blog. https://www.prestwickhouse.com/blog/post/2022/09/how-to-deal-with-book-challenges
• Reusink, M. (2016, Feb 9). An educator’s survival guide for dealing with difficult parents. Rasmussen University. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/dealing-with-difficult-parents/
• Keller, K. (2022, Jul 12). 10 strategies for dealing with difficult parents. Teaching Channel. https://www.teachingchannel.com/k12-hub/blog/difficult-parents/
• School book challenge resource center. (n.d.). National Coalition Against Censorship. https://ncac.org/resource/book-challenge-resource-center
• Manley, J. (2023, Jul 17). Let the kids get weird: The adult problem with children’s books. LitHub. https://lithub.com/let-the-kids-get-weird-the-adult-problem-with-childrens-books/?BEFAMILY-2023_07_20=&sponsored=0&position=5&category=what_else_were_reading&scheduled_corpus_item_id=c2fa49fb-8ecd-47a5-896d-b3df49c27695&url=https://lithub.com/let-the-kids-get-weird-the-adult-problem-with-childrens-books/

Create

Add to your Annotated Booklist

Share

Respond twice in the #6challenges channel to the following prompt. Cite evidence from the module reading(s) to support your assertions.

Compare and contrast the first two articles in the Think section. How are their arguments different? What resonates with you? Do the ideas in each of these articles align with the library code of ethics and/or National School Library Standards? Use the other reading(s) you completed to support your argument. How does understanding differing perspectives on the issue aide you in dealing with book challenges?

Grow

Complete the self-assessment checklist.