Cases Associated with Book Bans

 White, Sabrina

SW

Spilka, J. (2022). 377 Book Challenges Tracked by ALA in 2019--and the Problem Is Growing:        Book Banning and Its Adverse Effects on Students. Knowledge Quest, 50(5), 30-.

 

Summary: Spilka (2022) suggests that book banning not only misrepresents student voices, but some parents as well.  Furthermore, it points to several student victory cases who have prevailed against bans or censorship.  The article concludes with the “adverse effects of book bans” and then future Florida legislation. 

 

Evaluation: The structure and diction were at an appropriate level for stressed students who have previously read eight plus articles prior to and useful.  Its value came from the citing of several recent cases where students have fought back.  However, the adverse effects were subpar.  It did not contribute to previously known reasons.

 

Tags: Advocates, access, voice or representation

 

Interesting Line: “…banning a book is like banning an opportunity.” 

"Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff" -- Keep this handy!

Snow, Elizabeth (Betsy)

"Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff", American Library Association, March 1, 2010.

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/yacompetencies (Accessed November 27, 2018)

Document ID: 622a3066-43b3-d3e4-a9a8-fdd45987d59e

Summary:
The competencies for teen services are very helpful for librarians to understand what teens need in a public library setting, but are also a cogent justification for high school teacher librarians as they plan. From finding ways to engage youth and their families along with the community to reflecting teens and their interests, this article includes handy printouts to post in your space or to give to administrators.

Evaluation:
The standout competencies are "Equity of Acess" and "Continuous Learning" as our role in teen lives cannot be underestimated. Librarians are often the frontline to providing services and outreach, academic or otherwise. Teachers can get bogged down by classroom logistics and this serves as a holistic approach to teen education.

Downloads are here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zo306yughdta5xr/Screenshot%202018-11-27%2011.31.32.png?dl=0

Students as library advocates

Mitchell, Lillie Gale

Deuink, A. & Seiler, M. (2006). Students as library advocates: The library student advisory board at Pennsylvania State Schuylkill. College & Research Libraries News 67 (1): 18-21.

Summary:

"Students, as library advocates, are a powerful marketing tool (Deuink & Seiler, 2006)”, and this article covers how having student advocates builds and benefits the development of a library's collection. A case study was used based on a small college campus establishing a student group attracting both residential and commuter students. The initial group was composed of student that had worked together before through other organizations, but not necessarily library users. The diversity of the club was communicated by recruiting library student workers, members bringing their friends to meetings, and the reputation earned as a fun and exciting club.

This student group was empowered to help spread a positive message about the library to the student body which improved the library’s collections and services. The group acted like a public library’s “friends group”. Their activities included purchasing collection materials such as books, DVDs, and a color printer; highlighting new themes each month, developing a “menu book” of campus restaurants; and acting as library volunteers when needed.

Additionally a summary on how to create a successful student advisory group based on the two years of experience with the club was included. Here are the key points of a successful student advisory group (Deuink & Seiler, 2006):

•   Recruit new members throughout the year.
•  Be available and responsive to the students, in person and in the virtual world.
• Conduct monthly meetings to keep the ideas and actions flowing and to gain continuous feedback.
• Listen to students’ ideas and suggestions and treat them with respect.
• Take actions on ideas proposed by club members.
• Show enthusiasm for the club and the library by letting your students be creative and not afraid to express their ideas.
• Serve food at the meetings

Evaluation:

Even though this article applied to using advocates in an academic library setting as a marketing tool, certainly this process can also be applied to other library systems as well. Collaboration is key to having stakeholders buy into any organization, therefore this is a reminder that the library is a business. As mentioned in the article the student advocates group could be treated like a “friends group” therefore valued members of the library.

Posted by Jenny Cofell

'A Culture of Empathy'

Jensen, Karen.  (November 2015).  A culture of empathy:  We must help youth who are facing mental health challenges.  School Library Journal, 40 - 43.

Summary:  This article notes that teens suffering from mental illness often come to the library because of the calm environment and friendly staff.  On the one hand, this is a good thing, but on the other, it can leave library staff unprepared for the unpredictable and sometimes dangerous behaviours that can come along with mental illnesses. There are over 200 mental health disorders and, since mental illness often shows up in the teen years, it becomes important for those working with Teens to educate themselves on these issues so that they can advocate effectively for those teens who come into their building.

Evaluation:  This article point out the important role teen librarians have an important role in advocating for their patrons who might be struggling with a mental illness.  The library is where teens may come first to seek out information about what is happening to them. It is important to have current materials available on the topic in the collection for teens to consult. The article also lists titles of books that cover the different types of mental illnesses making it a great resource for collection development.