Censorship in the School Library

ALA poster used to celebrate Banned Book week in the U.S
Copyright free

Reflection 1

Activity: Write an article for submission to  ALIA's journal ‘Energise, Enthuse, Inspire’

Topic:     Censorship

I wrote an 800-word article for submission to ALIA’s Incite magazine. The topic was censorship and the responsibility the school librarian has to protect her patrons or students from unsuitable books.  I started with the idea that I might be stocking my library with books that some of my school community would be uncomfortable with, but which I knew my readers would like. Sometimes, I too have felt discomfited by the dark themes and mature content of some teen and YA books. I have wondered if ‘I sail too close to the wind’ with some of the books I have in my library.  I concluded that children and teens do not need or want ‘sanitized and squeaky-clean’ stories. They are too mature, too accustomed to ‘racy’ modern life to be satisfied by that. Most teens have many leisure choices and we need to offer books, which have appeal and interest even if sometimes the content is possibly controversial. In addition I believe children and teens self-censor and won’t read material they instinctively know is unsuitable. Obviously I am subject to the overall moral values of the institution I work for and must pay some heed to parents opinions about books but I reject the suggestion that I should be the gatekeeper and will continue to choose books that satisfy a modern reading audience.

I have never written an article for publication before, although I have felt that it would be a good thing to do for career interest and advancement. Fundamentally I lacked the confidence to do it, feeling that I had less to contribute than others who have been in the industry for many years. However once I got started on the article, which is on a topic that I have been thinking about for a while, I am wondering whether it might, in fact, be suitable for publication. I haven’t read much in Australian library journals on this topic and if it were of interest to me as a teacher-librarian surely it would be of interest to others. I would certainly like to read an opposing view, as I am sure there would be one.

I do, however think that Incite is not the right publication for this article. It would be better suited to FYI, the School Librarians of Victoria’s journal or similar. The audience is really TLs, although obviously public librarians face censorship issues as well. With that in mind I have emailed the article to the editor of FYI for consideration and feedback.

Despite what some people might think about the conservative nature of librarianship, it is actually an industry, which moves at break neck speed and requires constant diligence to keep up with developments. Writing for journals is a way to discipline yourself to stay current and interested.

Apart from stimulating my interest in writing for an industry publication the most significant outcome of this exercise is that is has crystallized my thinking on this topic. I know where I stand now on the issue of censorship and I am prepared to defend my opinion. I will continue to research and take note of opinions and reporting on this topic.

To read the article Click here