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<blockquote data-quote="DazedandConfused" data-source="post: 309212" data-attributes="member: 831"><p>In California, children have a right to privacy when it comes to accessing books from the library; regardless if it is a public, or school, library. If I have a parent come in and ask me what books their child has checked out, by law I cannot tell them. In fact, the library software doesn't allow me access to a student's check out history beyond the last book they checked out. </p><p> </p><p>The only time I can reveal the title of a book is when it is overdue, or if a student has lost it. Then, I have to send a notice to the parent requesting its' return or payment. </p><p> </p><p>As a elementary librarian, I attempt to offer as wide a variety of reading material as I possibly can (and that money will allow). The primary influence is what do my students most want to read? What gets them hooked? The vast majority of my students (mostly poor ELLs) first visit to ANY library is at school, so I put a tremendous amount of effort to make it exciting, fun, and relevant to their lives. They like "edgy" books that some people would consider "trash"; books about aliens, monsters, vampires, and pretty much anything that is strange and unusual. They also love the Wimpy Kids series and everyone is highly anticipating the 4th in the series due out October 12. I also introduce them to classics that have been around for years: Beverly Cleary's Ramona series and Judy Blume's books. </p><p> </p><p>I read a lot of "trash" when I was a kid (I LOVED Mad Magazine and comic books), which nurtured a love for reading and provided a segue to much more challenging material. My parents let me read just about anything. In elementary school, I read ALL of Walter Farley's Black Stallion books and Jean MacDonald's Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series. I read the Godfather when I was 12. I read Jacqueline Suzanne (Valley of the Dolls and Once is Not Enough) when I was 13. I read Lisa: Bright and Dark (about a girl with mental illness). I read all kinds of racy stuff which provided life lessons on the dangers of behaving that way myself. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I don't "ban" any books. I do make informed decisions about what is appropriate reading material that elementary students should have access to. I do remember one book getting pass me because I had to order a huge amount of books in a short time and just couldn't review them all. A student checked it out and had it over the weekend. On Monday, she brought it back teary-eyed and with an angry note from her Mom. Well, the book had a graphic (for a 10 year old) rape scene. I did remove the book from the collection and offered it to our city's HS library. </p><p> </p><p>I've only had one parent request their child not check out certain books. I informed that parent that the matter was ultimately between them and their child. Though, I would remind the student of the parents wishes, by law <em>I </em>cannot deny access to certain books in the library because a parent finds it objectionable. I will not police access to library books because of subject matter. </p><p> </p><p>I had one little girl who would not check out any books with Spongebob because her Dad "hates him and thinks he's a bad example". I chuckled to myself because this Dad (who I have met) ought to go take a good look in the mirror to see a bad example. SpongeBob is the least of this dude's worries. </p><p> </p><p>Anyway, off my soapbox. It is heartening to me to see the variety of, and passionate, opinions on this matter.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DazedandConfused, post: 309212, member: 831"] In California, children have a right to privacy when it comes to accessing books from the library; regardless if it is a public, or school, library. If I have a parent come in and ask me what books their child has checked out, by law I cannot tell them. In fact, the library software doesn't allow me access to a student's check out history beyond the last book they checked out. The only time I can reveal the title of a book is when it is overdue, or if a student has lost it. Then, I have to send a notice to the parent requesting its' return or payment. As a elementary librarian, I attempt to offer as wide a variety of reading material as I possibly can (and that money will allow). The primary influence is what do my students most want to read? What gets them hooked? The vast majority of my students (mostly poor ELLs) first visit to ANY library is at school, so I put a tremendous amount of effort to make it exciting, fun, and relevant to their lives. They like "edgy" books that some people would consider "trash"; books about aliens, monsters, vampires, and pretty much anything that is strange and unusual. They also love the Wimpy Kids series and everyone is highly anticipating the 4th in the series due out October 12. I also introduce them to classics that have been around for years: Beverly Cleary's Ramona series and Judy Blume's books. I read a lot of "trash" when I was a kid (I LOVED Mad Magazine and comic books), which nurtured a love for reading and provided a segue to much more challenging material. My parents let me read just about anything. In elementary school, I read ALL of Walter Farley's Black Stallion books and Jean MacDonald's Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series. I read the Godfather when I was 12. I read Jacqueline Suzanne (Valley of the Dolls and Once is Not Enough) when I was 13. I read Lisa: Bright and Dark (about a girl with mental illness). I read all kinds of racy stuff which provided life lessons on the dangers of behaving that way myself. I don't "ban" any books. I do make informed decisions about what is appropriate reading material that elementary students should have access to. I do remember one book getting pass me because I had to order a huge amount of books in a short time and just couldn't review them all. A student checked it out and had it over the weekend. On Monday, she brought it back teary-eyed and with an angry note from her Mom. Well, the book had a graphic (for a 10 year old) rape scene. I did remove the book from the collection and offered it to our city's HS library. I've only had one parent request their child not check out certain books. I informed that parent that the matter was ultimately between them and their child. Though, I would remind the student of the parents wishes, by law [I]I [/I]cannot deny access to certain books in the library because a parent finds it objectionable. I will not police access to library books because of subject matter. I had one little girl who would not check out any books with Spongebob because her Dad "hates him and thinks he's a bad example". I chuckled to myself because this Dad (who I have met) ought to go take a good look in the mirror to see a bad example. SpongeBob is the least of this dude's worries. Anyway, off my soapbox. It is heartening to me to see the variety of, and passionate, opinions on this matter. [/QUOTE]
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