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Issues in Children’s Literature: Censorship

Issues in Children’s Literature: Censorship. Presented by Joanne de Groot LIS 401. Censorship & Canadian Children’s Literature. What does censorship mean to you?. Definitions . State Censorship: actions of the state or its agents

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Issues in Children’s Literature: Censorship

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  1. Issues in Children’s Literature: Censorship Presented by Joanne de Groot LIS 401

  2. Censorship & Canadian Children’s Literature

  3. What does censorship mean to you?

  4. Definitions • State Censorship: actions of the state or its agents • Self-Censorship: actions by individuals and institutions that, anticipating challenges or state censorship, choose not to create or make available controversial works

  5. Definitions (cont’d) • Challenges: actions by individuals or groups • Public Attack • Written Complaint • Oral Complaint • Expression of Concern From: When the Censor Comes (Book & Periodical Council)

  6. Who are the Censors? • Censors tend to fall into three groups: • Parents who hear about or see material that troubles them • Community members or parents who react to a book without having read it • Local, state or national organizations, some of which have specific lists of titles which they consider objectionable (Gottlieb, S., 1990)

  7. Spotting a censor • People who challenge books: • Often deny being in favour of censorship • Rarely read the work in whole or often even in part • Quote excerpts out of context • Demonize the author and his/her work When the Censor Comes (p. 2)

  8. What kinds of books are challenged in libraries? • Canadian Book & Periodical Council maintains and promotes “Freedom to Read” through a Freedom to Read Week each year and a website • Collect statistics every year on challenges and censorship attempts in Canada

  9. Avoiding Challenges • Celebrate Freedom to Read Week and use it to educate students/patrons/parents about the issues • Schools & teachers should inform parents about the curriculum and materials used to teach curriculum • Teachers & librarians may need to educate school board members, colleagues, administrators about intellectual and academic freedom

  10. Avoiding Challenges • Be familiar with resources and support in your community and elsewhere • Endorse and post the Canadian Library Association’s Statement on Intellectual Freedom; make it permanently available in your schools and libraries

  11. CLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques Position Statement on Intellectual Freedom (1985, revised) • All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation's Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom, under the law, is essential to the health and development of Canadian society. Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom. • It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials. • It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee the right of free expression by making available all the library's public facilities and services to all individuals and groups who need them. • Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups. • Both employees and employers in libraries have a duty, in addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these principles.

  12. Avoiding Challenges • Well thought out written policies and procedures on • Intellectual freedom • Acquisitions/Selections • Donations • Reconsiderations (dealing with challenges)

  13. When a Challenge Occurs • Be prepared…chances are at some point in a career in schools or libraries, you will get a formal or informal challenge • Follow procedures that are in place • Document events • Promote open discussion about IF • Keep superiors informed throughout

  14. When a Challenge Occurs • Contact and make use of your contacts and allies in the community • Contact the CLA (in libraries) or your teacher’s federation (in schools) for support • Stay calm!

  15. Freedom to Read Week: February 21-27, 2010

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