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04/26/22

04/26/22

More trouble ahead?

After a quiet period following the retention of five challenged books in January, we have learned that, in early April, district librarians received an inquiry from a community member about the holdings of specific titles in the NHHS library:

top challenges 2021.jpeg

HERE WE GO AGAIN: The latest community inquiry includes eight of the "Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021" (as compiled by the American Library Association).  

  • 33 Snowfish by Adam Rapp

  • Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide

  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

  • All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

  • Be Dazzled by Ryan LaSala

  • Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin

  • The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

  • Fun Home by Alison Bechdel

  • Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

  • Lawn Boy by Johnathan Evison

  • Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gehpart

  • Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

  • This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

  • The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

  • TTFN by Lauren Myracle

  • TTYL by Lauren Myracle


This inquiry may be a prelude to further board meeting protests and additional book challenges. Notice that the five titles that the Board retained in January are included in this list. In our "This Book Must Stay" report to the Board, we anticipated such an action and urged the Policy Committee to add provisions to policy/regulation 9130 to prevent repeated challenges to the same titles.

No response from BOE
Despite our regular emails to the BOE providing constructive input and requesting status, we have had no response. In addition, sources report that the Board Policy Committee has not solicited input from district librarians about updating the reconsideration policy and regulation. If new challenges arise, we are concerned that the Board will address them using the same insufficient policies, regulations, and processes that were employed in the fall, resulting in further turmoil in the community and risk to students' right to read. 

Let the BOE hear the voices of reason
With more than 40,000 books and ebooks in the district's libraries, the book banners can perform scripted protests at BOE meetings for generations to come. This small band of extremists cannot be permitted to divert district attention and resources from the real job of education. Help the Board understand that our community does not support book banning:
 

  • Keep going to board meetings

  • Urge your community's board members to oppose book banning

  • Vote for board candidates who support intellectual freedom

  • Vote to remove board members who voted to remove books or refused to stand up for students' right to read.
     

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