Summit Hill Jr. High Library’s Theme is “Unity and FREADom!” Every year the American Library Assocation keeps tabs on the number of challenged or banned books in our nation’s libraries. Librarians say a book is “challenged” when a member of the community it serves questions the inclusion of a book in the library collection. Most libraries have important policies that ensure any challenged materials are thoroughly reviewed by their executive board and then a determination is made about retaining or removing the material. Most of the materials reviewed are retained (kept in the library collection), but occasionally that material is removed and then we say the book is a “banned book”. The number of challenges varies from year to year. On average the office of Intellectual Freedom receives about 400 to 450 challenges every year. Between January and October of 2021, they received an astounding 726 challenges, many of them were for more than a single title. Some of them where for title counts in the hundreds. While having the ability to question the inclusion of some books is a patron’s right, censorship in the library (not allowing anyone to access materials) goes against the role that libraries play with regards to access. Librarians across the country work hard to ensure that book collections are reflective of ALL patrons and accessible to anyone who wants to find the stories or information they need. SO... every year we celebrate the fact that books that are challenged or banned in some communities remain on our shelves and reaffirm our commitment to the Library Bill of Rights! (below) Take a few minutes to celebrate this important freedom – INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM this week with the SHJH Library! And as always READ ON!
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Mrs. ScuderiI have been a school librarian for 8 years. This is my third year at Summit Hill Junior High. Archives
September 2022
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