Challenge

Do you know what a book challenge is? I do, because I am a public school librarian. I also know, because over the course of six years, I have had to handle a few - the most for any school in my school system - yes, I am so proud.

A challenge occurs when someone wants a book removed from the library, because he or she thinks it is inappropriate for students. What usually happens is a parent hears about something his or her child is reading and decides that he doesn't want his child reading that, and for that matter doesn't think anybody else's child should read that book either.

So, they fill out a form, and then according to school board policy, I have to have my Media and Technology Advisory Committee read the book, meet to discuss the book, and then vote on how to answer the challenge. Then I write the parent a nice letter to let him or her know what we decided.

As a librarian and warrior for intellectual freedom, I think that most parents are nuts when they want to control what every other child in the world is reading, just because they don't want their child reading something. But, as a champion for intellectual freedom, I recognize the parents' rights to challenge library books.

You see, in order to have freedom of speech, you have to let everyone speak. Even if you don't agree with them. That's probably one of the most important things I learned while going through the MLS program in college.

So I welcome challenges. Sorta - and I look forward to meeting with my committee to discuss this book and its place in a middle school library.

The book, by the by, is The Giver, by Lois Lowry. Check it out at your local library.

Will let you know how the challenge turns out.