How to Talk about Book Bans

We are well aware that controlling what books are the schools and libraries is an issue that is cropping up everywhere.  How you respond to it is up to you.  Here are some suggestions from the LWV South Carolina Freedom to Read group that you might want to consider.  -  Anne Stone, LWVOC Executive Committee Member

The following is from the LWV of South Carolina and reprinted here with their permission.

1. Parents have the right to guide their children’s reading and education, but parents should not be making decisions for other parents’ children. A small group of parents should not dictate what other people’s children are allowed to read.
2. Books are tools for understanding complex issues. Limiting young people’s access to books does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues. In fact, it may render them less prepared to navigate the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood.
3. Young people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books.
4. We can trust our students to handle content that might make some adults uncomfortable.
5. Reading is a foundational skill, critical to future learning, developing empathy, and to exercising our democratic freedoms.
6. Removing and banning books from public libraries is a slippery slope to government censorship and the erosion of our country’s commitment to freedom of speech.
7. Attempting to restrict your child’s access to information will only prevent them from reading it from a reliable and safe source.
8. Please reject any efforts to ban books; allow individuals and parents to make decisions about what they can read and believe.

Don't let other parents tell you what your child can read! 

 Follow Freedom to Read SC for resources and updates. 

Janelle L. Rivers, Ph. D.

Education Advocacy Specialist/Lobbyist

League of Women Voters of South Carolina

_____

Related League Information for California Readers

California readers will be happy to know that the League of Women Voters of California has a relevant Position on public libraries!

LWV of California Position in Brief 

Support a public library system as a basic community service with a long-term, assured, stable and adequate funding source. Support access by all persons to public library services as a major source of knowledge and information necessary for informed, active participation in a democratic society.  ---  LWVC Action Policies and Positions (p.11)

Having a great diversity of books available is necessary for “active participation in a democratic society."  In addition, the League of Women Voters of the United States has a relevant Position on Individual Liberties:

LWVUS Position in Brief 

The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged.  ---  LWVUS Impact on Issues (p.51)

It is reasonable to argue that this implies access to a variety of opinions and information.