{"id":6109,"date":"2022-04-19T12:17:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T16:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=6109"},"modified":"2022-04-19T12:14:13","modified_gmt":"2022-04-19T16:14:13","slug":"tips-for-navigating-book-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2022\/04\/tips-for-navigating-book-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Navigating Book Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What we lose when a book is banned\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pSw8E6j1RHI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/first-amendment\/article\/986\/book-banning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">challenging of books<\/a> based on their content has a <a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.pima.edu\/bannedbooks\/history\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">long history<\/a>, but they have been a <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/6117685\/book-bans-school-libraries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">major news<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/education\/book-bans-have-reached-levels-not-seen-in-decades-but-nationwide-activism-to-oppose-them-is-growing-too\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nea.org\/advocating-for-change\/new-from-nea\/freedom-read-and-learn-educators-respond-book-bans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">story<\/a> this school year. The challenges are coming from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/01\/30\/books\/book-ban-us-schools.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">variety of sources<\/a>\u2014parents, school committees, politicians, community groups, and others. There are a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/policy-and-politics\/22914767\/book-banning-crt-school-boards-republicans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">variety of reasons<\/a> for the discussion, but what do you do when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/books\/archive\/2022\/02\/banned-books-list-to-kill-a-mockingbird-maus\/621428\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">books are being challenged<\/a> in your school library?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-APR-19-Tips-for-Navigating-Book-Challenges.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-APR-19-Tips-for-Navigating-Book-Challenges-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-APR-19-Tips-for-Navigating-Book-Challenges-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-APR-19-Tips-for-Navigating-Book-Challenges-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2022-APR-19-Tips-for-Navigating-Book-Challenges.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">School libraries have long been advocates in the fight against book banning. School libraries nationwide celebrate <a href=\"https:\/\/bannedbooksweek.org\/resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Banned Books Week<\/a> in the fall and participate in activities like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/bbooks\/dear-banned-author\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dear Banned Author<\/a> project. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/education\/2022\/03\/22\/school-librarian-book-bans-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">School Librarians across the country<\/a> are currently facing book challenges. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nea.org\/advocating-for-change\/new-from-nea\/freedom-read-and-learn-educators-respond-book-bans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Education Association (NEA)<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/statement-regarding-censorship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Library Association (ALA)<\/a> have both issued statements with helpful information. ALA tracks the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/bbooks\/frequentlychallengedbooks\/top10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">top ten banned books<\/a> every year. You can also access book challenge resources compiled by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/fight-censorship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the ALA<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/ncac.org\/resource\/book-challenge-resource-center\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Coalition Against Censorship<\/a> (NCAC). As always, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oif.ala.org\/oif\/back-to-school-a-guide-to-preparing-your-library-for-book-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best offense<\/a> in the fight against book challenges is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.librarygirl.net\/post\/a-proactive-approach-to-book-challenges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prepared defense<\/a>. A <a href=\"https:\/\/bookriot.com\/book-censorship-news-11-26-21\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proactive approach<\/a> where you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/knowledgequest.aasl.org\/book-challenges-coming-soon-to-a-school-near-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prepared before a book challenge happen<\/a>s in your school library always helps. All school libraries <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slj.com\/story\/all-schools-need-book-challenge-policies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">should have a book challenge policy<\/a> and plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Book <a href=\"https:\/\/ccbc.education.wisc.edu\/intellectual-freedom-2\/when-materials-are-challenged\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">challenge plans<\/a> are your offense! What does that <a href=\"https:\/\/bannedbooksweek.org\/banned-books-week-handling-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">look like<\/a>? One of your first <a href=\"https:\/\/bookriot.com\/how-to-fight-book-bans-and-challenges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">steps if a book is challenged<\/a> in your school library should be to report the challenge using the new <em>School Library Journal<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/mediasource.formstack.com\/forms\/censorship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Censorship Tips Hotline<\/a> form or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/tools\/challengesupport\/report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this form from ALA<\/a> (or both!). Both organizations are tracking book challenges nationwide. You should also have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/tools\/challengesupport\/selectionpolicytoolkit\/complainant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">form letter<\/a> ready to send to the complainant, as well as a required <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/tools\/challengedmaterials\/support\/samplereconsideration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">complaint form<\/a> for them to fill out. Gather your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.infotoday.com\/mls\/mar20\/Bromberg--Fighting-a-Challenge-to-the-Collection-With-a-Coalition-of-Advocates.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">community advocates<\/a> to prepare for any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/tools\/challengesupport\/hearing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public meetings<\/a> that may be held. Do your research before attending any public meetings or defending your school library\u2019s book choices. Researching any <a href=\"https:\/\/ncac.org\/youth-censorship-database\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">challenges that have been mounted<\/a> in your district or your state, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/intfreedom\/censorship\/courtcases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prior national book challenges<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/advocacy\/intfreedom\/minors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student rights<\/a> may help. Your library&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sldirectory.com\/libsf\/resf\/coldev2.html#policy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collection development policy<\/a> will also be helpful and should be current. There are <a href=\"http:\/\/www.drbickmoresyawednesday.com\/weekly-posts\/banned-books-weekorganizations-dedicated-to-defending-frequently-challenge-books-by-jeff-kaplan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">organizations available for help<\/a> like ALA (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ala.org\/tools\/challengesupport\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">challenge support materials<\/a>), the NCAC <a href=\"https:\/\/ncac.org\/book-challenge-crisis-hotline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">crisis hotline<\/a>, and the <a href=\"http:\/\/cbldf.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Comic Book Legal Defense Fund<\/a> (support for defending graphic novels). Get your <a href=\"https:\/\/pen.org\/how-to-fight-book-bans-a-tip-sheet-for-students\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">students involved<\/a> if possible\u2014students can be great advocates, as evidenced by our headline video!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Book challenges can be difficult to handle, but know that you are not alone! Reach out to your fellow librarians for support. We\u2019re all in this together!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The challenging of books based on their content has a long history, but they have been a major news story this school year. The challenges are coming from a variety of sources\u2014parents, school committees, politicians, community groups, and others. There are a variety of reasons for the discussion, but what do you do when books &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2022\/04\/tips-for-navigating-book-challenges\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[262,263,175,264],"class_list":["post-6109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-library-media","tag-banned-books","tag-book-challenge","tag-library-media","tag-right-to-read"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6109"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6182,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6109\/revisions\/6182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}