Intellectual Freedom and Privacy
Course
Handling Materials Challenges [5:13]
- Learn to recognize if someone is expressing concern or challenging materials.
- Learn how to prepare procedures and resources to guide you through a challenge.
- Learn the importance of remaining professional and respectful during a challenge.
People might want a book removed for several different reasons, such as objections to explicit content, profanity, or their religious viewpoint. There is a difference between someone expressing a concern about materials in the library and someone challenging materials in the library. A concern can be verbal or written, with someone telling you that they don't like a book or expressing their point of view about aspects of the book. Sometimes just listening or sharing that it is each family's right to determine what materials are suitable for their child is enough to appease the concern. A challenge, however, begins with a written request to review or remove a book from the collection. This request can be made using the school's or district reconsideration form. Anyone, including parents, students, staff, and members of the community can challenge a book in your collection. It is important to be proactive about challenges so you are prepared if you receive a challenge.
While preparing for a challenge is a lot of work, it is important to have procedures and resources in place to guide you through the process. For example, include a section on controversial and challenged materials in your collection development policy. Review this annually with your administration so they are also aware of the procedures. Next, form a challenge committee of parents, staff, and students. Usually the principal or another administrator is on the committee, too. This committee reviews any written reconsideration requests and responds as needed. Finally, be sure that your procedures for challenged materials are approved by your principal and school district. Some larger districts have reconsideration procedures in place for all schools. Sample reconsideration policies are available from the American Library Association, listed in the resources for this lesson. It is important to note that both members and non-members can utilize the services of the American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom. It is a professional duty to contact them to report the challenge, in order for them to keep accurate records.
It is important to remain calm, professional, and transparent throughout the time a book is being challenged and treat all parties with respect. Remember, the challenge isn't personally against you; rather, it is against the book. Follow the exact steps you or your district have outlined for challenged materials. Advocate for student intellectual freedom and their first amendment rights. Be sure you have professional reviews for the book on hand in addition to any other materials your policy requires. Also, be sure to use the resources listed in your challenge procedures, including the Office of Intellectual Freedom. In some cases, you and your administration may need support from the school district's legal counsel. When the challenge ends, preserve your notes and reflect on the process. Revise your collection development policy or reconsideration process, if needed.
Book challenges can be stressful and tense. It is important to remember the difference between a book concern and a book challenge. Prepare for a book challenge by ensuring you have procedures in place, as well as a strong selection policy that covers challenges or controversial materials. Be professional and respectful during a challenge, using your procedures, committee, and outside resources. With these in mind, you will be prepared and confident to advocate for your students in the event a challenge occurs.
While there is no perfect way to protect your library against challenges, there are actions you can take proactively to be ready if it ever occurs. Review Helen Adams's checklist found in the resources below and then complete the Reflect & Practice activity below to see how challenge proof your library is.
After reviewing the checklist and what you've learned from this lesson, use page 5 of the handout and create a plan: Which next steps will be easiest to implement? Which ones require more of an in-depth plan to accomplish? Finally, utilize the checklist on pages 6–7 of the handout, identify the top three items on this checklist that you will present to your principal as strengths of your program as well as the top 3 items that need to be implemented in your library.
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Intellectual Freedom and Privacy: Challenge-Proofing Your Library Checklist." School Library Connection, May 2021, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2262936?learningModuleId=2262052&topicCenterId=2247902.
Entry ID: 2263778
Additional Resources
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Intellectual Freedom and Privacy. Handling Materials Challenges [5:13]." School Library Connection, ABC-CLIO, May 2021, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2262936?learningModuleId=2262052&topicCenterId=2247902.
https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2262936?learningModuleId=2262052&topicCenterId=2247902
Entry ID: 2262936