Censorship The mind you close may be your own

Censorship v. Selection What is the difference?

Censorship v. Selection Seeks to exclude Seeks to exclude Generally based on personal objection Generally based on personal objection Subjects include Subjects include Religion Religion Sex and sexuality Sex and sexuality Drugs Drugs Anti-adult behavior Anti-adult behavior Profanity and other “language” issues Profanity and other “language” issues Seeks to include Generally based on needs of Curriculum Community Patrons (adult and child and teen) Applies a policy in place Done by a professional

The wavering and thin line Personal censorship v. Professional selection

Where do YOU draw the line?

The Library Bill of Rights ALA

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Challenged Books Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling Forever by Judy Blume Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Alice (Series) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Challenged Books Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Giver by Lois Lowry The Giver by Lois Lowry It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine Goosebumps (Series) by R.L. Stine A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck The Color Purple by Alice Walker The Color Purple by Alice Walker Sex by Madonna Sex by Madonna Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel

Challenged Books The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Go Ask Alice by Anonymous Go Ask Alice by Anonymous Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard The Stupids (Series) by Harry Allard The Witches by Roald Dahl The Witches by Roald Dahl The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry Anastasia Krupnik (Series) by Lois Lowry The Goats by Brock Cole The Goats by Brock Cole

Challenged Books 2006 “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, for homosexuality, anti-family, and unsuited to age group; “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, for homosexuality, anti-family, and unsuited to age group; “Gossip Girls” series by Cecily Von Ziegesar for homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, unsuited to age group, and offensive language; “Gossip Girls” series by Cecily Von Ziegesar for homosexuality, sexual content, drugs, unsuited to age group, and offensive language; “Alice” series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for sexual content and offensive language; “Alice” series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor for sexual content and offensive language; “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler for sexual content, anti-family, offensive language, and unsuited to age group; “The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler for sexual content, anti-family, offensive language, and unsuited to age group; “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison for sexual content, offensive language, and unsuited to age group; “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison for sexual content, offensive language, and unsuited to age group;

Challenged Books 2006 “Scary Stories” series by Alvin Schwartz for occult/Satanism, unsuited to age group, violence, and insensitivity; “Scary Stories” series by Alvin Schwartz for occult/Satanism, unsuited to age group, violence, and insensitivity; “Athletic Shorts” by Chris Crutcher for homosexuality and offensive language; “Athletic Shorts” by Chris Crutcher for homosexuality and offensive language; “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, and unsuited to age group; “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky for homosexuality, sexually explicit, offensive language, and unsuited to age group; “Beloved” by Toni Morrison for offensive language, sexual content, and unsuited to age group; and “Beloved” by Toni Morrison for offensive language, sexual content, and unsuited to age group; and “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language, and violence. “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier for sexual content, offensive language, and violence.

Challenged Authors 1990s 1. Alvin Schwartz 1. Alvin Schwartz 2. Judy Blume 2. Judy Blume 3. Robert Cormier 3. Robert Cormier 4. J.K. Rowling 4. J.K. Rowling 5. Michael Willhoite 5. Michael Willhoite 6. Katherine Paterson 6. Katherine Paterson 7. Stephen King 7. Stephen King 8. Maya Angelou 8. Maya Angelou 9. R.L. Stine 9. R.L. Stine 10. John Steinbeck 10. John Steinbeck

Challenged Authors 2005 Judy Blume Judy Blume Robert Cormier Robert Cormier Chris Crutcher Chris Crutcher Robie Harris Robie Harris Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Toni Morrison Toni Morrison J. D. Salinger J. D. Salinger Lois Lowry Lois Lowry Marilyn Reynolds Marilyn Reynolds Sonya Sones Sonya Sones

Resources NCAC NCAC SCAC, NCTE SCAC, NCTE ALA OIF ALA OIF PABBIS PABBIS