We need to protect our school libraries.
The current Volusia County School Board Media Selection Policy (#320) covers how library books are selected and challenged. It meets all required state statutes and is a standard other districts are using to create their own policies. The proposed changes weaken the protections of our administrators, media specialists, teachers and library books. A few key points:
-- The sentence added to the Responsibility for Selection of Materials, puts the principals in a precarious position; almost prompting them to unilaterally pull books.
-- The language in the footnote describing that educators that violate the policy commits a felony is terrorizing the already vulnerable teachers.
Why is this important?
The proposed changes are a direct violation of the constitutional right for students to have access to a wide range of age appropriate reading materials.
