Book Banning/Destruction...

[ShotgunSteven]

Question for all of you. What would you do if you found out that the principal of a local school was taking books out of that school's library and hiding them (with the knowledge of the librarian) so that students couldn't read them or check them out, their reasons being that the books clash (in their mind) with their personal religious beliefs?

What if in some cases it was going beyond that, where the person "accidentally" destroyed new books as they came in so that they were thrown out rather than placed on the shelves?

 

[BigJ]

I'd want the principal's ass on a silver platter.

If anything, it would be the PTA to censor books (or a similar organization). On top of that, the principal is destroying property funded by taxpayers.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
Question for all of you. What would you do if you found out that the principal of a local school was taking books out of that school's library and hiding them (with the knowledge of the librarian) so that students couldn't read them or check them out, their reasons being that the books clash (in their mind) with their personal religious beliefs?

What if in some cases it was going beyond that, where the person "accidentally" destroyed new books as they came in so that they were thrown out rather than placed on the shelves?

Move to a Blue State.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
Question for all of you. What would you do if you found out that the principal of a local school was taking books out of that school's library and hiding them (with the knowledge of the librarian) so that students couldn't read them or check them out, their reasons being that the books clash (in their mind) with their personal religious beliefs?

What if in some cases it was going beyond that, where the person "accidentally" destroyed new books as they came in so that they were thrown out rather than placed on the shelves?

Move to a Blue State.

They do it there too, they just ban different books.

 

[NatePo717]

That's messed up. I would have that person removed from their position ASAP including the librarian for letting it happen. Everyone should have the freedom to read whatever they want.

 

[dullard]

I would teach the kids to use the public library. Problem solved.

 

[GasX]

If this involved my kids' school, I would ensure that the person never set foot in a school again in his professional life.

 

[BrokenVisage]

I was wondering why I couldn't find "Origin of the Species" at my old High School's library.. damn principals!

 

[nakedfrog]

I'd probably call a few local news stations.

 

[deepred98]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
Question for all of you. What would you do if you found out that the principal of a local school was taking books out of that school's library and hiding them (with the knowledge of the librarian) so that students couldn't read them or check them out, their reasons being that the books clash (in their mind) with their personal religious beliefs?

What if in some cases it was going beyond that, where the person "accidentally" destroyed new books as they came in so that they were thrown out rather than placed on the shelves?

Move to a Blue State.

yes because 'blue' states are on such a higher intellectual, physical, spiritual, etc. level than 'red' states :disgust:

 

[mugs]

I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If this involved my kids' school, I would ensure that the person never set foot in a school again in his professional life.

You'd break his legs? :Q

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

This goes back to the Pico case (which I admit, I just started reading 5 minutes ago) and I found this interesting point:

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=457&invol=853

JUSTICE BLACKMUN concluded that a proper balance between the limited constitutional restriction imposed on school officials by the First Amendment and the broad state authority to regulate education, would be struck by holding that school officials may not remove books from school libraries for the purpose of restricting access to the political ideas or social perspectives discussed in the books, when that action is motivated simply by the officials' disapproval of the ideas involved. Pp. 879-882.

Also, I believe it is up to the state to decide which books are offered in school libraries, with the school board deciding which ones are actually kept in the school, and which also has the ability to ban books. Not the principal or librarian though.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
Question for all of you. What would you do if you found out that the principal of a local school was taking books out of that school's library and hiding them (with the knowledge of the librarian) so that students couldn't read them or check them out, their reasons being that the books clash (in their mind) with their personal religious beliefs?

What if in some cases it was going beyond that, where the person "accidentally" destroyed new books as they came in so that they were thrown out rather than placed on the shelves?

I think I'd report it to the media and get them fired and banned from teaching for life. Make sure they got fined for all the damages to the books. Make sure they are never in a position of authority over children ever again. If it was one of those towns on the "bible belt" where everyone is a religious extremist (including the local media), It would have to be reported to as many national media sources as possible, and hopefully it would "make the news" and get some attention.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: BigJ
I'd want the principal's ass on a silver platter.

If anything, it would be the PTA to censor books (or a similar organization). On top of that, the principal is destroying property funded by taxpayers.

i agree

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Mwilding
If this involved my kids' school, I would ensure that the person never set foot in a school again in his professional life.

You'd break his legs? :Q

That wouldn't stop the person forever. Obviously he's talking about have their feet amputated.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Move to a Blue State.

What's funny is that you seem to keep jumping around from red state to red state. Glutton for punishment?

 

[lokiju]

Reminds me of the Nazi Germans burning big piles of books.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

It is neither the principal's nor the librarian's responsibility or right to make these kinds of decisions. We have school boards for a reason.

Edit: They don't offer the books either. The state does that.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

Just because something is common doesn't make it right.

No comment on the destruction of materials purchased at taxpayer expense?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

Wow... I think I see maybe five or six books in there that I wouldn't consider appropriate for a school library. Although I'd be curious to see what school library actually has "The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein"
Curious how that one is on the list but the original "Joy of Sex" isn't.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: dullard
I would teach the kids to use the public library. Problem solved.

No, that averts the problem. The problem is the administration overstepping their duties and responisbilities.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

Wow... I think I see maybe five or six books in there that I wouldn't consider appropriate for a school library. Although I'd be curious to see what school library actually has "The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein"
Curious how that one is on the list but the original "Joy of Sex" isn't.

Is that list of challenged books specific to school libraries?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

Wow... I think I see maybe five or six books in there that I wouldn't consider appropriate for a school library. Although I'd be curious to see what school library actually has "The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein"
Curious how that one is on the list but the original "Joy of Sex" isn't.

Is that list of challenged books specific to school libraries?

Oh, I suppose it's not.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: mugs
I would do nothing. The principal and/or librarian are not obligated to offer those books at the library.

Banning books not uncommon either

Wow... I think I see maybe five or six books in there that I wouldn't consider appropriate for a school library. Although I'd be curious to see what school library actually has "The New Joy of Gay Sex by Charles Silverstein"
Curious how that one is on the list but the original "Joy of Sex" isn't.

Is that list of challenged books specific to school libraries?

No, public libraries I think.