Public Libraries

Panelists offered their personal stories, resources, and advice during the SLJ Summit session on book challenges.

Pat Scales answers questions about kids who want challenged books; a parent who objects to fairy tales due to religious beliefs; and a principal sympathetic to students who protest assigned novels. 

Save the date and register to join us “In Community” for a full-day, virtual program on Oct. 28.

Pat Scales takes on a student teacher who thinks Captain Underpants is inappropriate, parent complaints about comics and horror, and a teacher who is using markers to alter problematic illustrations in picture books.

A librarian and intellectual freedom advocate on Dr. Seuss, library policies, and cancel culture.

Questions about the ethics of fines, a public library crowded with kids during the pandemic, and a librarian who doesn't want kindergarteners to borrow books.

In majority-white regions, librarians are bringing diverse books to kids, even when their efforts meet with resistance. 

Pat Scales fields questions about video read-alouds, the fate of outdated "classic" books, and parents' disapproval of  books about immigration. 

Ensuring that all students have access to reading material during remote learning; adjusting expectations for student research; fielding questions about Little Free Libraries.