What are the pros and cons of censoring books in school libraries?
There really is no pro in censoring. The school librarian (which should be a real librarian, not a teacher or parent volunteer) needs to be actively selecting appropriate books for the school library. There is a difference between selection and censorship. In selection the librarian chooses books that are appropriate developmentally for the students and supports the curriculum. That does not mean that they need to shy away from controversial materials. What is controversial to one student, teacher, or family may not be to another. In a school where I worked a parent wanted the book “The Devil’s Arithmetic” removed. This is a fantastic book about why it is important to remember the Holocaust. He did not want his son exposed to the topic. He wasn’t a crazy denier, he wanted to try and shield his son from all bad things. We went through a formal reconsideration hearing and decided to keep the book. The Supreme Court has ruled that, “In brief, we hold that local school boards may not remov
