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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Dawn,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m really sorry that you’re going through this. I’ve seen some really good responses in the AISLE email list. We are all here to help. I agree with pretty much everything said so far.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u>Definitely contact ALA</u>. This kind of thing has to be documented. According to OIF, 82-97% of challenges go unreported. They can offer a ton of suggestions and ideas. They are pros and they can assist you through the process.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few other resources: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">RAILS also just announced our new Materials Challenge Pulse page:
<a href="https://www.railslibraries.info/issues/263856">https://www.railslibraries.info/issues/263856</a>. On that page, you’ll find best practices, example policies, and links to other resources.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also wanted to point you a recent Book Riot article which had a really great material challenge response letter to
<i>Gender Queer</i>: <a href="https://bookriot.com/gender-queer-coppell-texas">https://bookriot.com/gender-queer-coppell-texas</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D">Dan Bostrom<br>
Member Engagement Manager<br>
Reaching Across Illinois Library System<br>
Burr Ridge Office<br>
Phone: 630.734.5152<br>
Fax: 630.734.5050<br>
<a href="mailto:dan.bostrom@railslibraries.info"><span style="color:#1F497D">dan.bostrom@railslibraries.info</span></a><br>
<a href="https://www.railslibraries.info"><span style="color:#1F497D">https://www.railslibraries.info</span></a><br>
<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> AISLE <aisle-bounces@list.railslibraries.info> <b>
On Behalf Of </b>Dawn Scuderi via AISLE<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, March 14, 2022 11:25 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> AISLE-Share: Association of Illinois School Library Educators discussion list <aisle@list.railslibraries.info><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Dawn Scuderi <scuderi.dawn@gmail.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [aisle] challenge to book and book talk<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Everyone,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">So it is 11:00 at night and I can't sleep because over the last week I have 2 emails from angry parents about a very brief book talk I gave of "A High Five for Glenn Burke". <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am currently making my way through the Caudills and always tell the kids about current books that I am reading or have just finished. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I mentioned the book, gave a very brief synopsis and had almost immediate backlash from one parent who emailed me and my administrator. They clearly shared their opinion that I had "violated" students by book talking a book that had a
questioning character and a gay baseball player. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Today I received an email from a second parent threatening to take issue with my Superintendent and School Board if I ever discuss, promote or display books of a racial, political or LGBTQ nature again. To ANY student.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am in a 7/8 building. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We have a mission statement, collection development policy and challenge policy but they are not school board approved.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">These challenges seem to not just be about the books but about me personally. This evening I found out that the second parent posted about me on Facebook. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <br>
We have a board meeting on Wednesday. Do I go? Do you guys think this warrants a meeting with my union rep, a call to ALA? So far my admin has been supportive, but this is just
<b>so much</b>. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Book challenges are one thing, I feel like I can combat that. But this feels personal.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Suggestions? <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for any help,<br>
Dawn<o:p></o:p></p>
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