Concerns about books...

You look up to see a parent walking through the doors of the library with a much-sticky-noted book in hand.  Your stomach drops because you know the purpose of the visit.  Yep.  Looks like you have a potential book challenge on your hands.  What do you do?

We learn all the right things to say when someone is concerned about a book in library school, but what we often don't know is how emotional it can feel.  Conflict is uncomfortable.  Librarians are pleasers, so it feels icky when we're placed in a situation that feels confrontational.

Advance preparation on your part and a bit of advice may help...

1.  Read reviews.
2.  Be familiar with the selection policy and guidelines of the district.
3.  Select books that meet the selection policy and guidelines of the district.
4.  Talk with your principal before issues arise to make sure he/she is supportive of the selection process.
5.  Practice what you'll say if a person has concerns about a book. 
6.  If a person is concerned, de-personalize the issue internally.  It's about a book, not about you.
7.  Don't offer action unless action is requested.  Many times listening or offering to help the student
     select another book is enough.
8.  If action is requested, let the person know you'll need a few days to read the book and check reviews.
9.  Even if asked directly, don't offer a personal opinion.
     Concerned person, "Do YOU think this book is appropriate?"
     You, "This book meets selection guidelines because it has two positive reviews for gr. 5-8."
10. Apprise your principal of the concern.

Below are guidelines we use when dealing with concerns...

Guidelines for Dealing with Concerns about Library Materials

When dealing with concerns about library materials, the goal is to resolve the issue informally.

If a concern is raised...

First the librarian should meet with the concerned person and do the following:

• Listen to concerns in a calm, attentive way.
• Respond with such phrases such as, "I understand," or "I appreciate your concern."
• Explain how books are selected for the library using professional reviews when possible.  Be brief.
• Offer to help the student select another book that would meet his/her needs.
• Take your cue from the concerned party.  If no action is requested, offer none.
• Offer to get back in touch in a few days in further action is requested.  Let the person know that you will read the book in its entirety and look up professional reviews.
• Contact the person following these actions to let him/her know whether the book meets district selection policy and guidelines based on reviews.
• Avoid value judgements such as the book is "appropriate" or "inappropriate" for the grade level(s).  Instead, state whether the book meets selection guidelines or not.
• Avoid personal opinion.
• Offer to arrange a meeting with the principal if the book meets guidelines for inclusion and the person's concerns are still not addressed.

If needed, the principal should meet with the person and do the following:

• Talk with the librarian to be apprised of the situation.
• Include the librarian in the meeting if possible.
• Repeat the same steps in the same manner as above.
• Offer no action if none is requested.
• Recognize that the school library provides full access of books and periodicals to its respective students.  Attempts to resolve concerns by restricting access compromise this philosophy.
• Provide a "Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials" form if all attempts fail to resolve the complaint informally.
• Let the concerned person know that he/she must read the book in its entirety before submitting the completed request for reconsideration form.
• Contact the library coordinator at any time for questions/support in this process.

Informal resolution means that the book will remain on the shelf with unrestricted access without the action of a reconsideration committee.

The following are not acceptable ways of resolving the concern:

• Moving the book to a special section of the library, the professional collection, or keeping the book in the librarian or counselor's office
• Checking the book out indefinitely to prevent access
• Setting up special sections of the library limited to users by age or grade designation
• Restricting access of the book to certain students or grade levels
• Requiring parent permission to check out the book
• Labeling the book in any way
• Rating the book with a system such as a movie rating
• Altering the book in any way such as removing words, pages, illustrations, or obscuring them