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Date: Fri, 7 May 1999 18:49:47 -0400 (EDT)
To: pubyac-digest@nysernet.org
Subject: pubyac V1 #694
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Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 14:13:04 -0400
From: "Earl and Kirsten Martindale" <earlmart@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: your library's policy re: a challenged book
There is quite a bit of wisdom in having all the tools at hand for a
full-fledged battle; there is more wisdom in knowing when to use them.
In most instances in my experience, a patron wanted to be listened to, and
did not necessarily intend to propose a ban on the book. Most of the time,
by listening (with carefully phrased responses, such as "I can see you are
concerned" and "I appreciate the effort you took to share your
thoughts with
me") without trying to justify, the patron left satisfied that the material
would be re-evaluated according to the library's materials selection
criteria.
I can think of several instances in which the patron was right.
Occasionally, material written for adults finds its way to the juvenile
area. Occasionally, material is outdated or inaccurate. In any event, I feel
it is very important NOT to make a judgement call at the time, in front of
the patron. Even though it creates follow-up work, it's important that the
patron realizes that the criteria for book selection is not just my opinion.
When I call the patron back, oftentimes it has given us both an opportunity
to think things through. By the way, people are generally very appreciative
of having someone call them back the next day. It shows that you took their
complaint seriously.
The reconsideration form occasionally has to be handed out. Particularly if
the patron wants a decision right then and there. It helps them understand
the process, and helps them articulate, especially if they are angry, what
their actual complaint is. Just to reiterate, my experience is that most
people just want to be heard.
Kirsten Martindale
Buford, GA
- ----- Original Message -----
. I would like to find
> out at what point is this form given in response to a patron's complaints.
Is
> it a last resort? Do you use it at all? Is it handed over at the first
formal
> written complaint? >
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Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 11:45:59 -0500
From: "Vollrath, Elizabeth" <evollrat@uwsp.edu>
Subject: School Publlic Library Cooperation
We have wonderful school-public library cooperation in our county.
I started and coordinate a group of librarians representing libraries of all
kinds in our county - public, schools (public and parochial), university and
private business. We meet every other month or so to share information and
ideas.
Two of our most successful joint projects were "Portage County
Reads," and "Count on Reading in Portage County," where all of us
involved
our patrons in reading through activities geared to the setting. For
example, schools held Read-Ins, Musical Books, decorating classroom doors
with favorite books and RIF distributions.
We (public library branches) had a book fair, storytelling, trivia
day for YAs, vote for favorite book and Family Read-Ins.
An insurance library had a book swap. The University library
prepared displays.
I had a resolution signed by the county board and we had lots of
newspaper coverage. PTOs donated prizes and sponsored Dr. James Fico for a
program. A local bank provided money for each school and public library to
provide a book for a drawing. I brought in a storyteller to visit each
school to kick off one of the programs. For another I had songster Tom
Pease do the final program for several hundered people. (I was fortunate to
get local donations for these.)
"Count on Reading" was based on the AASL national program so some of
the forms came from them. We kept track of county reading in the library's
window on an enlarged county map. (The largest trivia contest in the
country, according to Guiness and which is held here, used our map for a
running trivia question.)
I coordinated the programs with my library providing all forms and
I prepared all media publicity. By all reports, the county loved this
project.
Other things we have done jointly include bringing in authors. We
share costs, have the author visit certain schools during the day and then
have a program and book signing at the main library at night. We divide up
duties like arranging hotels, picking up at airports, eating with them.
Very rewarding.
Just recently we held a poetry contest for K-12.
I think many of our most exciting programs have been working
together for kids and their families.
I'd like to hear what others have done so I can get more ideas.
Elizabeth Vollrath
Portage County Public Library
1001 Main St.
Stevens Pt., WI 54481
(715) 346-1290
Fax: (715) 346-1239
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Date: Thu, 06 May 1999 08:35:26 PDT
From: "Fredda Williams" <freddawilliams@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: your library's policy re: a challenged book
I have worked in three different public library systems, and each of them
uses a Request for Reconsideration form for patrons who want materials
removed from the library.
In the county library system where I now work, the policy is that whenever a
patron comes in, upset by a book or other library material, we offer them a
copy of the Request for Reconsideration form to fill out. Without offering
opinions on the book or the patron's reaction, we give them a chance to
express their feelings. Sometimes all the patron wants is a chance to
vent, other times they want to fill the form out. Once the form has been
completed, it is sent to the appropriate department manager (Adult Services
or Children's Services)and a copy is sent to the director. We have
selection committees in place, and whenever a Request for Consideration is
received, committee members read the book, published reviews of the book,
and the patron's comments. The committee them meets to discuss the book and
decide what to do with it (keep as is, move to another location, or remove)
The director is informed of the committee's choice, and the department
manager writes a letter to the patron explaining whatever decision has been
taken.
This sort of thing seems to go in cycles. We went 2 years without any
Requests for Reconsideration of children's materials, but have had 5 in the
last 6 months. And it's almost never the books you expect to get challenged
on. Most of the time the patron will be satisfied with the decision that is
made, even if the decision is to keep the book where it is. My feeling is
that what these patrons really want is to be heard, to feel like their
opinions are being considered. I'm sure some of them aren't too happy that
we kept a book they disapproved of, but by taking their complaints seriously
and responding to them we are validating their opinions. And sometimes they
have a valid point - a book is inaccurate, or is catalogued as a children's
book when it really should be YA or adult.
I've sort of gotten carried away, I hope some of this helps.
Fredda Williams
Children's Services Manager
Knox County Public Library System
freddawilliams@hotmail.com
_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
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Date: Tue, 04 May 1999 19:49:33 -0400
From: "Stow-Munroe Falls Library, Children's Room" <stowkids@oplin.lib.oh.us>
Subject: Re: school public cooperation
We have a long standing(30 years), very good relationship between our SLMC and
PL. It has been strong enough to weather the occasional tensions between the 2
Boards. The students take 2 library visits, at 2nd and 6th grades, we do a basic
library orientation which includes electronic resources. Often the 6th grade
class is often working on a report or other project and spend part of the time
they are here researching. These visits are part of the school librarian's
curriculum.
We have done training for the librarians and with the librarians for teachers.
We
meeet with the librarians at least once a year over lunch to visit and share
projects and concerns. We send books for teachers using the school's courier and
it is often the librarian who calls for the teacher. They help us promote our
summer programs by helping schedule the skits we do in each school and making
sure the flyers are distributed.
We have written joint grants and at one point were on the same automation system
with the high school (a long story). We have worked with the librarians on
curriculum committees. For 3 or 4 years we ran a joint reading club to coincide
with NLW and Right to read week. Whenever we start a joint project we sit down,
plan it together and divide up the work so everyone is doing their fair share.
Some years we do more together with the llibrarians and some years is it with
the
curriculum folks and some years it is everyone together, it just depends on what
projects are in the works.
I think the reason things have worked so well here is that for many years we
have
realized that we all are in fact a team. Serving the same group at different
times not in competition with each other. Those who ran this department before
me
established a rich history of cooperative ventures. It has never been us and
them, we are all librarians.
It was not something that happened over night (I'm sure although I was not here
30+ years ago) but I'm certianly glad that they put in the effort.
Carolyn Morgan Burrier
Head, Children's Services
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library
stowkids@oplin.lib.oh.us
KPPS@aol.com wrote:
> I am currently a school library media specialist; but, I had been employed
as
> a children's librarian in a public library for several years. In a post
> graduate class I am taking, concerning services to children and youth, the
> topic of cooperation between SLMC's and PL's came up. I am uncomfortable
> with the amount of distrust or misunderstanding that seems to be present in
> both communities.
>
> Do you have any tips on programs that have worked well cooperatively? I am
> hoping to find some that have required equal participation and effort on
both
> sides, and that have been successful.
> If you have not had such a program, do you have an insights into the
apparent
> conflict?
>
> Thank you,
> Sharonann Katcher
> LMS
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Date: Tue, 04 May 1999 18:19:51 -0400
From: Charles Schacht <schachtc@libcoop.net>
Subject: Re: Dr. Laura
Valorie - I like to think I take a back seat to no one in being in favor of
parents acting parental and excercising their supervisory functions, but
let's pause a moment here for a reality check. Unless you're maintaining
that a good parent would never send his/her offspring to the library
unattended, I don't see how we can reasonably expect that parents can be
expected to protect their children from on line perils. Many millions of
children and young adults visit their local libraries every day, often on
the way home from school, unaccompanied by parents. Who are often working
and even if they wanted to would not be able to keep their unaccompanied
darlings away from the siren song of our unfiltered computers. The real
deal is this, whether we like it or not; parents are very often not ABLE to
be present to keep their progeny out of harm's way on the web, if harm
there be. Even if they were willing to be. So trying to pass the buck in
that direction just doesn't fly. Looks to me as though either we make our
peace with unsupervised use, with all the potential difficulties that that
entails, or we need to be willing to either filter or supervise ourselves.
Chuck Schacht
Romeo District Library
Romeo, MI.
Whose ruminations may or may not reflect the policies of his institution.
"Valorie A. Minch" wrote:
> Hear! Hear! That's the whole crux of the matter. Peolpe, including Dr.
> Laura, seem to be too lazy to take an active interest in what their
> children are doing. They seem to want someone else to do their job for
> them. As a parent and a Children's Librarian, I take an active role role
> in monitoring what my child looks at. Responsibility for one's own
> actions is one of the primary lessons that a child should be taught!
> That's my say.
>
>
> Valorie Minch
>
> On Wed, 28 Apr 1999, Lisa Prolman wrote:
>
> > In my previous life as a financial aid counselor, I worked for a
> > director who *loved* talk radio and especially Dr. Laura. As my boss
> > had the only copy of several necessary computer programs, I ended up
> > in her office listening to Dr. Laura fairly often. One of Dr.
> > Laura's favorite themes is taking responsibility for one's actions.
> > Perhaps she should listen to her own advice. If she and other parents
> > like her --who feel that uncensored access to information creates
> > many of the world's problems-- would take the responsibility of going
> > with their children to the library after work and/or on weekends and
> > interest themselves in what their children read,listen to, and watch
> > maybe there would be less of a need for filters.
> >
> > Just my two cents.
> >
> > Lisa Prolman
> > Assistant Children's Librarian "All things considered,
> > Greenfield Public Library insanity may be the only
> > 402 Main Street reasonable alternative."
> > Greenfield, MA 01301
> > (413)772-1590
> > lprolman@hotmail.com
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________________________
> > Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
> >
>
> Valorie A. Minch
> Children's Librarian
> Livonia Civic Center Library
> 32777 Five Mile Road
> Livonia, MI 48154
> vminch@tln.lib.mi.us
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End of pubyac V1 #694
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