The hill you die on in your career

[Anonymous]

They will tell you which ones to remove. It's not on you to read them and make the decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They will tell you which ones to remove. It's not on you to read them and make the decision.

They may give me a list, but every school library has books it in that are not in others. That means, I need to read most of them.
But, I will be the one physically removing them, and that's the sucky part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will tell you which ones to remove. It's not on you to read them and make the decision.

They may give me a list, but every school library has books it in that are not in others. That means, I need to read most of them.
But, I will be the one physically removing them, and that's the sucky part.

Your removal process is going to involve making a big pile at the front of the library where you ordinarily have book displays and putting signage on the pile that says “For removal/deaccession, required by [citation to law].” I mean, the books have to go somewhere while you figure all of this out!

Then find the biggest On Social Media people you know in your area and make sure they see it.

And/or, if you have a sufficiently anonymous Twitter acct yourself, tweet it and tag in the ALA and its current President (who is very online).

[Anonymous]

I'd be outrages that there are any books , you just need a smart device

[Anonymous]

Just think of it this way- books are not the only ways that kids can access information. They can read the books elsewhere or find out information online. You say that they're telling kids what to think by censoring, but isn't that what you're doing by choosing certain books over others?

I believe what the governor is doing is wrong. But I'm also not happy about the books in my kid's elementary school library. They're boring and typically focused on an agenda (and I agree with the agenda most of the time, just think it's boring). What happened to all the Caldecott and Newberry books? Books with great writing?

[Anonymous]

Hi - fellow librarian here. Since challenges to books in library collections is becoming a more common occurrence, there are a lot of resources you can draw from to continue to support your students. A quick google search turned up:


- In mid-2022, the Brooklyn Public Library launched Books UnBanned, a teen-led initiative catering to young readers across the country, regardless of state. The program allows young people across America to register for a free digital library card and access a whole bunch of banned and challenged books.
- more access - https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/state/2023/07/21/banned-books-list-app-florida-download-challenged-library-books/70443947007/
- Open access versions of commonly banned classics: https://libguides.com.edu/c.php?g=649165&p=4554007
- I'm not sure where you, so this resource may not work but there may be other that serve your area: https://www.inpurposeea.com/banned-book-program

I think you could both comply with the reprehensible mandate (thus saving your job) and stand by your values by removing the books but publicizing both the censorship and how students can find alternative, free access to the titles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi - fellow librarian here. Since challenges to books in library collections is becoming a more common occurrence, there are a lot of resources you can draw from to continue to support your students. A quick google search turned up:


- In mid-2022, the Brooklyn Public Library launched Books UnBanned, a teen-led initiative catering to young readers across the country, regardless of state. The program allows young people across America to register for a free digital library card and access a whole bunch of banned and challenged books.
- more access - https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/state/2023/07/21/banned-books-list-app-florida-download-challenged-library-books/70443947007/
- Open access versions of commonly banned classics: https://libguides.com.edu/c.php?g=649165&p=4554007
- I'm not sure where you, so this resource may not work but there may be other that serve your area: https://www.inpurposeea.com/banned-book-program

I think you could both comply with the reprehensible mandate (thus saving your job) and stand by your values by removing the books but publicizing both the censorship and how students can find alternative, free access to the titles

another link: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this OP. These insane Republicans have brought us back to a time I thought we were past - wasn't I naive.

Thanks for trying to fight, how you can. We have a lot of teachers, professors, and librarians leaving Florida over this kind of thing.

[Anonymous]

Don’t quit. They’ll just replace you with someone who doesn’t care.

[Anonymous]

Another librarian here - the ALA May provide you support and strategies to approach this: https://www.ala.org/aasl/about/challenges

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry. All this talk also about districts not allowing teachers to use a students preferred name and pronoun they ask you to use without parental approval. I'll die on that hill. I understand my privilege to walk away, with a husband who makes more and skills I'm willing and able to use elsewhere.

I hate what's happening. I won't be a part of it. And I'm sorry you're being put in this position. Keep doing what you can to support our kids and keep the school a safe place.

[Anonymous]

Where do the books have to go? Do you need to turn them in? Can you donate to a youth organization or create your own community book exchange type thing? Create a tik tok of you doing book reviews on each banned book?

[Anonymous]

I'm a librarian too, but in a liberal state. If I otherwise liked my job, I'd just do it. We influence kids and families in lots of big and small ways, and having certain books on the shelf is just one way we can have a positive impact on a community.

[Anonymous]

Another one who says this is the time for non-violent civil disobedience and/or malicious compliance.

For quite a long time, I just wouldn't do it if I were you.
"Did you remove those books, Ms Smith?"
"Nope, not yet!"

And when they notice/ begin to take action, that's when the malicious compliance starts...
Lots of ideas and links for that already in this thread. I especially like making sure that all your students know where to access any oboks they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi - fellow librarian here. Since challenges to books in library collections is becoming a more common occurrence, there are a lot of resources you can draw from to continue to support your students. A quick google search turned up:


- In mid-2022, the Brooklyn Public Library launched Books UnBanned, a teen-led initiative catering to young readers across the country, regardless of state. The program allows young people across America to register for a free digital library card and access a whole bunch of banned and challenged books.
- more access - https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/state/2023/07/21/banned-books-list-app-florida-download-challenged-library-books/70443947007/
- Open access versions of commonly banned classics: https://libguides.com.edu/c.php?g=649165&p=4554007
- I'm not sure where you, so this resource may not work but there may be other that serve your area: https://www.inpurposeea.com/banned-book-program

I think you could both comply with the reprehensible mandate (thus saving your job) and stand by your values by removing the books but publicizing both the censorship and how students can find alternative, free access to the titles

Do here. This is awesome list. Thank you.