Banned Books: Policy and Protocol

After reading the articles for this week -- I kind of panicked. What the banana boat would I do if I needed to defend a book in my library's collection? Does someone have my back? Does my library have a policy -- a how-to?
In the Atlas article, it is mentioned that "an established collection development policy is the most important tool a library has for handling challenges to the inclusion of controversial items in its collection....The most important aspect of such a policy is its very existence. Such statements let library users know that their libraries do not endorse the materials they collect." p.56

Besides ensuring your library has a clear policy on how to handle challenges, you should also be aware of the following *amazing* (I'd make this word all glittery if I could) resource right here in Madison:

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/freedom/steps.asp

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) (right down the hall from the SLIS Commons) provides "guidelines for maintaining clarity and control in a situation when materials are challenged." They have useful documents highlighting things that could be quite nerve wracking when confronted with, such as Dealing with the Media and Conducting a Challenge Hearing.  Being aware of such a great resource is a great first step to defending the freedom to read!

Here is a snippet if you are too lazy to click around:

Immediate Steps to Take

• Review your institution's selection policy, including the selection criteria and the reconsideration process
• Assess what steps have been taken in the reconsideration process and what steps are to be taken
• Review the complaint
• Discuss the situation with your administrator
• Review your profession's policy statements
• Gather resources (such as copies of reviews, information on awards and best-of-the-year list distinctions for the title. If you are a Wisconsin teacher or librarian, the CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services can assist you with this)
• Read or re-read the title in question

Additional Steps to Take

Note: These steps may vary, depending on what your policy says and what has happened so far.

• Maintain the material in the collection for the time being
• Be prepared to explain the function of the resource
• Contact the Reconsideration Committee
• Communicate with the Board of Education or Library Board of Trustees