Censorship+and+Challenges


 * Introduction || Creating a Selection Policy || Selection Criteria || Selection Tools || Censorship & Challenges || Questions || Other Considerations || References ||

Not all materials are whole-heartedly welcomed or accepted into library collections. Items that are acceptable to one patron may be offensive to another. The most common complaints about materials deal with profanity, explicit sexual scenes (visual or textual), religion, violence and age-appropriateness. Graphic novels are perhaps more susceptible to complaints because of their dual nature of being visual //and// textual. Many graphic novels and manga deal with very mature adult content. Caution must be exercised in selecting such materials and school librarians need always to be aware of age appropriate content of materials. Forms and procedures should be developed and included in a library's Collection Development Policy to ensure that challenges are met professionally and courteously.

Censorship occurs when an individual or group prevents access to material to be read, seen or heard and seeks to control, imposes perceptions and focuses on possible negative aspects of the material. Selection, on the other hand, seeks to provide a wide range of access to materials, promotes freedom of information, allows for different points of view and focuses on the positive value of materials. Most censorship comes from outside the library setting where a patron objects to certain materials in the collection and succeeds in having the item removed. However, as librarians, we must be alert to a more subtle and dangerous form of censorship where selections are based on our own personal bias or avoidance of potential challenges to the materials. If we allow our personal choices to override clear and established selection policy guidelines, then we also become censors of information (Freeman, 2006).
 * Censorship**

When a patron is offended by materials in the library, he or she may lodge a formal complaint and request to have the item(s) removed from the library collection. This process is known as a challenge to materials or request for reconsideration.
 * Challenges**

The following, in blue, is taken from the American Library Association's (ALA) information "Dealing with Challenges to Graphic Novels".

"In theory, dealing with challenges to graphic novels is no different than dealing with challenges to print material. In practice, however, it is important to keep in mind that many people consider an image to be far more powerful in its impact than any written description of that image. That said, the following tips will help you prepare to cope with challenges to graphic novels. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure all library staff and board members understand the library's policies and procedures for dealing with challenges. Provide customer service and other human relations training that will help staff deal effectively with sensitive matters. "Dealing with Concerns about Library Resources" (Intellectual Freedom Manual, 7th ed., 2005) is an excellent guide to handling complaints effectively.
 * Be Prepared**

The following questions provide sample language for answering questions from parents, the media, and others. You will want to personalize your remarks for your library and community. Remember, keep it simple. Keep it human. The library has a responsibility to serve its community-your neighbors-including those you may not agree with or who may not agree with you. Libraries purchase materials, such as graphic novels, because they have a mission statement that requires them to serve a broad range of community needs and wants. The material you find in your library was selected by librarians, who are taught as part of their professional education to determine the needs of their communities and to select materials based on library policies. You can control what your children are exposed to by going with them to visit the library or supervising what they bring home. If there are materials you don't approve of, talk with your children about why you would rather they not read or view them. Most libraries provide suggested reading lists for various ages. And librarians are always glad to advise children and parents on selecting materials we think they would enjoy and find helpful. Ultimately, we believe parents know what's best for their children, and each parent is responsible for supervising his or her child. The conviction that young persons are entitled to enjoy the same freedom to read as adults is not a belief that children should be given adult-themed materials. We believe in freedom of choice for all people but we also believe in common sense, and common sense will tell you that it is extremely unusual for a young child to check out adult material. No. The best library resource are the librarians. They provide assistance and guidance, such as suggested reading lists, to help young people make appropriate choices. Our goal is to provide the best possible service for all of our users, and we are very proud of what we offer. If you haven't been to our library recently, we encourage you to come and see for yourself! We want to know your concerns. If you have a concern, simply speak to a librarian. We take such concerns very seriously. First, we listen. We also have a formal review process in which we ask you to fill out a special form designed to help us understand your concerns more thoroughly. Anyone who makes a written complaint will receive a response in writing" (ALA, 2009).
 * __Sample Questions and Answers__**
 * Why do libraries have to buy graphic novels?**
 * Shouldn't I be able to control what my kids are exposed to?**
 * Can a child check out graphic novels, even those intended for adults?**
 * Well, I can't be at the library every time my child is there. Does this mean my child is on her own?**
 * What should I do if I find a graphic novel I don't approve of in the library?**

Usually a challenge begins with an informal discussion. If a satisfactory outcome is not the result, then the complainant will be given forms to complete to provide information about the material in question. The complainant also needs to receive a copy of the school's Selection Policy to understand how and why the material was chosen for the collection and the ALA or ASLA's //Library Bill of Rights// on freedom of access to reading materials. Often a committee is appointed to review the complaint upon receipt of the returned forms.

Detailed written expectations and procedures can help to eliminate any misunderstandings during the challenge process. Trafalgar Castle School (2002) makes some points very clear: "Challenges will be handled with the understanding that no parent or guardian has the right to determine reading, viewing or listening matter for students other than his or her own. Acceptable alternatives, when possible, will be offered for that particular student. While complaints are being considered, access to challenged materials and other related materials will not be restricted in any manner" (pg.4).

Sample challenge forms can be viewed here: .