Book Scrutiny Still an Issue for LGISD

Once again the La Grange School Board meeting began with commentary on the concern for book purchases, only this time the majority of the speakers were commenting on the need to allow the librarians to do their job and choose books that are appropriate for the age and reading level of the students.

The comments came from Laura Logan, Becky Snyder, Jaci Elliott, and Pam Giese.

Logan, Snyder, and Elliott all spoke about the policy on the purchase of books. They all had one central message – most of the books being questioned do not contain profanity and sexually explicit content, but they do contain diversity of race, religion, and sexual orientation, and that librarians are professionals who should be trusted with choosing books and helping students with which books to choose.

Logan said, “I’m beginning to wonder if that’s the real issue (profanity and sexually explicit content) or just the one calculated to garner support, because after all, none of us want kids reading actual filth. I’m beginning to wonder if the real issue isn’t that these books are filled with sex and profanity, but that they are telling stories about people of different colors, religious backgrounds, sexual preferences, or identities, that those issuing challenges aren’t uncomfortable with. These things have been present in each of the books that have been challenged that I have read. I would like to remind everyone that a book doesn’t have to meet any one person’s personal comfort level or any one group’s values to be a worthwhile book. A good library should include something for almost everyone.”

Snyder spoke of the importance of diversity in the books on the school library shelves. She reiterated her previous statement from other meetings – representation matters.

Elliott stated, “Last week was National Librarians Week where librarians in school and public libraries were celebrated around our country and here in our own community. We should commend them every week for the hard and dedicated work they do. Unfortunately, many librarians have recently come under not just criticism but also threats for doing their important jobs. Certainly librarians and parents want the best and the best learning environment for our children. And both librarians and parents should be able to have an open discussion where neither feels intimidated or pressured.

“Parents may be acting on a genuine concern that what may currently be found in their school library, or what is on order for their school library is not age appropriate for its placement. A case in point: one of the books under consideration by the board, “Salvage the Bones” by Jesmyn Ward. I read most of the book and while it is well-written, I found it to be raw, depicting violence and under age sex, and unsettling in its portrayal of teenagers with few opportunities or guidance. Is it accurate in its depiction or some family situations here in our neighboring state of Louisiana? Sadly, it is. Would I recommend it to most high school students? Probably not. Again, we can choose to read or not read, or even finish this book. Indeed libraries are the epitome of freedom. In the circumstance of student readers, librarians offer guidance to their questions and interests and provide input for the placement of reading materials. I absolutely agree that not only should parents be aware of what their child is reading, they should set a good example by reading themselves.”

Giese took a different position and told the board of her concern about the harmful or obscene books that are still in the library and the need to prevent any more from getting in. She stated, “At the last two school board meetings, I heard Mr. McHazlett say that ‘some of these books had been in our libraries for more than ten years.’And I heard at least one board member say, ‘Well, we have a policy to eliminate books when they are brought to the board’s attention.’ I think that it’s unfortunate that anyone associated with the school administration thinks that either of these situations is acceptable. I would say that you have a past or current policy that allows books that are harmful or obscene is simply not acceptable. Harmful books and obscene books are the terms that are used in our library policy and there is a very definite distinct definition for those terms. Additionally removing books after they’re purchased is problematic for the reason that children are likely already exposed to the books by the time they are identified ... As stated at the last board meeting, the legal obligation of preventing harmful and obscene books from being purchased rests with this school board – not the librarians, not the public, not the parents.”

There was no action taken by the board on any of this as the agenda items were not action items. There was a new list of books presented to be evaluated over the next 30 days. That list will be acted on at the board meeting on May 20.