Join the Intellectual Freedom Committee at the NDLA 2010 Annual Conference for a panel session Thursday, September 30 from 1:45-3:00pm in the Oriole room featuring:

• Joe Raiola,  comedian, senior editor for Mad Magazine and keynote speaker for NDLA’s 2010 Annual Conference
• Mike Jacobs,  editor and publisher of the Grand Forks Herald
• Todd McDonald,  reporter and producer for Prairie Public Radio
• Pam Rezac,  Educational Services Associate for Prairie Public Broadcasting

Panelists will field questions and discuss topics relating to issues and situations they have experienced. Bring your questions and comments!

Today’s blog posting from StorySnoops.com features librarian and blogger, “Abby the Librarian”.

Here is the first question:

“We understand that the ALA advocates against all forms of censorship, but do you ever feel pressure to withhold certain books from children? If so, where does the pressure come from and how do you deal with the situation?

I wouldn’t say that I feel pressure to withhold certain titles, but for me it’s more a matter of deciding where in the collection different books are going to go.  My department serves children from birth through fifth grade, which encompasses a large range of reading levels and content.  I definitely have to strike a balance – I want to have the books that kids are asking for, but I have to be careful that the content and language are appropriate for an elementary-school audience as opposed to a middle- or high-school audience.  It can be a difficult balance to find and I definitely rely on professional reviews to help make my decisions about ordering book.  If I feel that a book will be more appropriate in our teen area, I may recommend that our teen librarian consider the book for purchase.  We may get nine-year-olds asking for Twilight and, while it’s not up to me to decide whether or not they are ready to read it, I’m not going to purchase it for the Children’s Department.  (Incidentally, we do have all the Twilight books in our Teen area!)”

From  article in the TCPalm | by Eve Samples | September 25, 2010

“…

The South Fork High School student was assigned to read J.D. Salinger’s tale of the sarcastic and alienated protagonist Holden Caulfield as part of his English work — but the language in the story offended both mother and son.

“The ‘F’ word is in there, and they take the Lord’s name in vain,” explained Connolly, a Stuart resident and the mother of five adopted children.

So she requested another book for her son to read, and the school complied.

Now, she’s crusading to get “The Catcher in the Rye” banned from all classes in the Martin County School District.

…

Connolly has the right as a parent to request a different book for her son.

It would not be right, however, for the school district to ban it from English classes simply because it does not mesh with her values.

…”

From LISNews:

“Lauren Myracle, author of ttyl and Luv Ya Bunches, two frequently challenged books, writes about the phenomenon of Banned Books. She says that parents anger springs from fear. Grown-ups who care about what kids read aren’t the enemy.

From Shelf Awareness: As 2009′s number one most frequently challenged author in the country (Mom, cover your ears), I often catch flack for writing about topics that certain parents, teachers and librarians would prefer I didn’t. Like what? Like a teenager kissing her female best friend, or high school kids drinking too much and doing really stupid things, or a discussion of the pros and cons of thongs.”

Full posting | September 27, 2010 | birdie