Federal law specifically prohibits sexually explicit material to minors through facilities or provided by adults. Our school district is in violation of federal law. Our school board majority and top administration has recognized this deficiency and is focusing on compliance.

Mrs. Smith, Dr. Dell’Angelo and Dr. Mahmud voted in favor of breaking federal law.

Section 1470 of Title 18, United States Code, Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly transfers obscene matter to another individual who has not attained the age of 16 years, knowing that such other individual has not attained the age of 16 years, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

18 U.S.C. § 1466A– Obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.

• The CBSD School Board archived Library Policy 109 in 2018
• Upon learning of the sexually explicit material in our school libraries from parents, the board reinstated Library Policy 109 in July 2022.
• The board added digital materials (included in Reference Materials) selections to be aligned with the current curriculum.

Adopted

July 23, 2002

Last Revised

July 26, 2022

Prior Revised Dates

1/25/2011

Authority

The Board shall, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board, provide resource materials that implement, support, and enrich the educational program of district schools.[1][2][3]

Definition

District-wide approved and provided resource materials are defined as supplemental instruction materials that are included in our approved courses of study including nonfiction and fiction books, magazines, reference books, supplementary titles, multimedia and digital materials, software, maps, and any other instructional material not otherwise covered in the textbook policy.

Delegation of Responsibility

District-wide resource materials shall be adopted by the Board of School Directors at any regular meeting. The Superintendent shall report in which subjects new district-wide supplementary materials are needed, and after consultation with the teachers, K-12 Supervisors, principals, and others, under his/her supervision, what district-wide materials should be adopted or changed. No adoption or change of materials shall be made without the Superintendent’s recommendation, except by a two-thirds vote of the Board.[2]

A list of resource materials provided by the district shall be maintained on its publicly accessible website by the Superintendent or designee and shall be available to Board members, district staff, students, parents/guardians, and community members. Such lists will include an internet URL where available.[4]

§

• The Board recognized that CBSD has a finite amount of money and space, therefore must prioritize academic materials over inappropriate materials for the students.
• The Board clearly outlined and defined in Policy 109.1 what sexually explicit content is and what should not be in our schools.

Adopted

August 9, 2022

Purpose

The Board is aware that textbooks and supplementary materials in the district are to be used almost exclusively by minors. The Board is also aware that the options for materials available to support and enrich the curriculum of the district are vast. However, there is a finite amount of time to teach students, a finite amount of space in the curriculum, and a finite amount of money to purchase materials. As such, it is necessary that the district prioritize materials that enrich the curriculum and advance the pedagogical interest over material that may similarly enrich curriculum but which also expose minor students to certain age-inappropriate content.

Definition

Sexual acts are defined as sexual intercourse, masturbation, sadism, masochism, bestiality, fellatio, cunnilingus, exhibition of genitals or nudity if such nudity is depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification, or any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts.[1]

Guidelines

Sexualized content that falls short of material prohibited by criminal laws is nonetheless generally inappropriate and/or unnecessary for minors in school. As such, the district will prioritize inclusion of quality materials suitable for educational goals and worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students that do not contain sexualized content.

High School

The Superintendent shall not recommend textbooks per Policy 108 or supplementary resource materials per Policy 109  containing:[2][3]

1. Visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts.
    
2. Explicit written descriptions of sexual acts, except for the purposes of teaching students to avoid and report molestation or educating about the procreative sex act for purposes of science and health instruction.

Other Sexualized Content

In recommending textbooks or supplemental resource materials for high school students, the Superintendent shall seek to prioritize materials that do not contain other sexualized content, such as non-explicit descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity.

When seeking approval from the Board for any high school textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing such content, the Superintendent or designee must notify the Board that such material is present and offer potential alternative options to the Board which cover similar pedagogical purposes for the resource, but which do not contain the aforementioned content.

Parental consent must be obtained for high school students before using any textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing explicit written descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity.

Middle School

The Superintendent shall not recommend textbooks per Policy 108 or supplementary resource materials per Policy 109 containing:[2][3]

1. Visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts.
    
2. Explicit written descriptions of sexual acts, except for the purposes of teaching students to avoid and report molestation or educating about the procreative sex act for purposes of science and health instruction.
    
3. Visual depictions of nudity – not including diagrams for educating about anatomy for science and health instruction or breastfeeding or content relating to classical works of art.

Other Sexualized Content

In recommending textbooks or supplemental materials for middle school students, the Superintendent shall seek to prioritize materials that do not contain other sexualized content, such as implied descriptions of sexual acts or implied depictions of nudity.

When seeking approval from the Board for any middle school textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing such content, the Superintendent or designee must notify the Board that such material is present and offer potential alternative options to the Board which cover similar pedagogical purposes for the resource, but which do not contain the aforementioned content.

Parental consent must be obtained for middle school students before using any textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing implied written descriptions of sexual acts or implied visual depictions of nudity.

Elementary School

The Superintendent shall not recommend textbooks per Policy 108 or supplementary resource materials per Policy 109 containing:

1. Visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts.
    
2. Explicit written descriptions of sexual acts.
    
3. Implied written descriptions of sexual acts, except for the purposes of teaching students to avoid and report molestation.
    
4. Visual depictions of nudity or implied nudity – not including diagrams for educating about anatomy for science and health instruction or breastfeeding or content relating to classical works of art.

Parental consent must be obtained for elementary school students before using any textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing implied written descriptions of sexual acts for the purposes of teaching students to avoid or report molestation, any diagrams for educating about anatomy for purposes of science and health instruction, and any visual depictions of nudity or implied nudity relating to classical works of art.

• Prioritizing academic materials over inappropriate material
• The district’s libraries exist to facilitate research learning by furnishing materials that are of requisite quality, suitable for educational goals, worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students, and most appropriate for minor students.
• The school library is not a public forum, nor is the goal to encourage views from private speakers/authors.
• The district recognizes that parents/guardians hold an essential role in the education of their children and have the unalienable right to guide what their children read.
• No sexually explicit materials are allowed in our School District.

Adopted

July 26, 2022

Objectives

The district seeks to provide library materials that would be of the greatest support to its educational objectives for the minor students in the district. The district’s libraries exist to facilitate research and learning by furnishing materials that are of requisite quality, suitable for educational goals, worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students, and most appropriate for minor students. The district’s libraries do not exist to provide universal coverage but instead to provide materials aimed at its pedagogical goals and for the interest, information, and enlightenment of minor children, not adults. The school library is not a public forum, nor is the goal to encourage views from private speakers/authors.

Since school and classroom libraries are viewed as places for voluntary inquiry, library materials must be treated differently from instructional materials used in the classroom.

This policy provides criteria for the selection, removal, and replacement of library materials, focused on maximizing transparency with parents/guardians and community members while meeting student needs to provide supplemental enrichment in their learning with appropriate materials. Through the provision of these library materials, the district recognizes that parents/guardians hold an essential role in the education of their children and have the right to guide what their children read.

Definition

Library materials, whether held in a formal school library or in a classroom, shall include all materials that are made available to students through the school library system and that are not otherwise approved as instructional resources through policies 108 relating to textbooks or 109 related to supplemental resource materials. Library materials are for independent use by students and faculty outside of the district’s core educational program.

While instructional materials and library materials are both considered instructional resources, they are not the same, and the terms shall not be used interchangeably.

Responsibility for Selection and Acquisition Process

Recommendations for new material and reorders of existing material shall be made by the district-level library supervisor or similar administrator designated by the Superintendent.

Such recommendations may be based on their own expertise or based on recommendations from librarians, administrators, teachers, other district personnel, parents/guardians, and community members. Gifts and donations of library materials must go through the same process and materials must align with the same selection criteria as purchased materials.

The district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees shall then give a list of recommendations to the Superintendent or designees.

After Superintendent or designees’ approval, the final list shall be processed for order. As the new materials are received, they shall be checked against a master list of materials ordered.

Selection of materials is an ongoing process that includes the periodic replacement or repair of materials still of educational value.

Avoiding Inappropriate Material

The district recognizes there exists a vast array of materials with rich educational content. It is the district’s objective to choose material that provides such rich educational content appropriate to students in the district over material that may provide similar content but with elements that are inappropriate or unnecessary for minors in a school setting.

Sexualized content that falls short of material prohibited by criminal laws is nonetheless generally inappropriate and/or unnecessary for minors in school. Parents/Guardians have a wide range of options outside of the district’s library system to introduce their child to sexualized content they deem appropriate for their child’s age. As such, the district will prioritize inclusion of quality materials suitable for educational goals and worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students that do not contain sexualized content.

Elementary School Libraries

No materials in elementary libraries shall contain:

• visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts,
   
• explicit or implied written descriptions of sexual acts, or
   
• visual depictions of nudity or implied nudity.

Middle School Libraries

No materials in middle school libraries shall contain:

• visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts,
   
• explicit written descriptions of sexual acts, or
   
• visual depictions of nudity—not including materials with diagrams about anatomy for science or content relating to classical works of art.

In selecting library materials for middle school students, the selectors shall seek to prioritize the selection of materials that do not contain other sexualized content, such as implied written description of sexual acts or implied nudity.

High School Libraries

No materials in high school libraries shall contain:

• visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts, or
   
• explicit written descriptions of sexual acts.

In selecting library materials for high school students, the selectors shall seek to prioritize the selection of materials which do not contain other sexualized content, such as explicit descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity.

Prioritization Process

When seeking approval from the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designee for any library materials containing explicit written descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity that would be available to high school students or, in the case of middle school students, materials that contain an implied written description of sexual acts or implied nudity, the librarian involved in the collection development process must notify the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designee that such sexualized content is present in the material and offer potential alternative options from which to choose, which cover similar pedagogical purposes for the resource but which do not contain the aforementioned sexualized content.

District libraries must also comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as specified in 47 U.S.C. §254(h)(5), including technology protection measures, and all state and federal laws relating to the prohibition on pornographic and other harmful materials for minors.

The district shall also contract with third party providers of electronic materials who will provide resources to students in compliance with the goals of this policy.

Criteria for Selection

The district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designee shall work cooperatively with library staff, faculty, and the administration to select material consistent with this policy. To ensure parental engagement, the district shall make the selection process of library materials readily available for parental review, with a list of all library materials posted on-line on the district’s website, and the content of all materials available for direct review during reasonable hours specified for such review.

Each item selected shall:

1. Support and enrich the curriculum and/or students’ personal interests and learning;
    
2. Be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, intellectual development, and ability level of the students for whom the materials are selected; and
    
3. For non-fiction resources, incorporate accurate and authentic factual content.

Prior to any material being recommended for inclusion by the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees, the potential library material shall have been reviewed by the district-level library supervisor or individual(s) designated by that supervisor.

Optimizing Library Resources

A good collection development plan must include weeding. The process of weeding is a key part of assessing the collection. It helps keep the collection relevant, accurate, and useful, and it facilitates more effective use of space in the library. A thorough weeding is accomplished at least once every fifth year. Criteria for weeding of materials includes poor physical condition, outdated content, and/or lack of circulation. Lost, damaged, or worn books are not automatically replaced. The decision to replace materials is based on availability and continued relevance; also considered are the availability of duplicates, the number of other books on the same subject, the availability of more recent or better material, more appropriate material, and the continued demand for the book in question.

All materials are selected to provide a balanced collection. A wide range of recognized classics should be maintained in each library.

Challenge Procedures

A parent/guardian of a district student or any district resident may formally challenge library material on the basis of appropriateness. The school receiving a complaint about the appropriateness of a library material shall try to resolve the matter informally through a telephone conference or meeting between the complainant and the school librarian, designated campus administrator, or district-level library supervisor. The conference may also include other necessary staff members as deemed appropriate by district-level library personnel.

If the complainant wishes to file a formal request for reconsideration, a copy of this policy shall be provided to the complainant by district-level library supervisor or appropriate administrator with instructions to submit the information requested below.

All formal concerns regarding library materials shall be submitted to the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees, and shall state: 1) the complainant’s name and contact information, 2) the name/author of the library resource, 3) cite page numbers and specific information in the material to support the objections, 4) offer suggestions as to replacements that are of equal or better merit and which convey the same or similar educational purpose that may have led to the objected material being included in the library in the first place, 5) and state whether the complainant is requesting a reevaluation of the material’s inclusion by the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees or is simply making a request that the material not be assigned to or checked out by the complainant’s child.

The district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees shall review the complaint and the challenged material and determine whether it conforms to the principles of selection set out in this policy.

The major criterion for the final decision on challenged library material is the appropriateness of the resource for its intended educational use and intended audience of minor students. The plurality opinion in Bd. of Educ. v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982), uses the standard that no challenged instructional resource shall be removed because of the ideas expressed therein. Removal of materials may be based upon the lack of educational suitability of the library material, lack of appropriateness for minors such as sexualized content, and for pervasive profanity or vulgarity. It need not rise to the levels of obscene material or material which would violate criminal laws in order to warrant replacing the material with better options.

When a decision has been reached, the appropriate district-level administrator shall notify the complainant. The decision shall be in written form, dated, and provided to the complainant within ten (10) district business days of the decision. All other appropriate staff members will be informed of the reconsideration and the outcome.

Specific library material that has withstood the formal challenge process and remains in the library will not be the subject of an additional formal challenge within one (1) year of the final date of determination. Furthermore, material removed pursuant to the challenge process will not be returned to the library without meeting the criteria for selection as outlined in this policy. The district shall verify previous decisions prior to convening a reconsideration committee. The complainant may appeal the decision of the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees to the Board of School Directors.

Opportunity for Parental Review

In recognizing that parents/guardians hold an essential role in the education of their children and have the right to guide what their children read, each library shall maintain a printed list of materials onsite and on the school library website that shows what has been selected as well as what is slated for acquisition. Audio-visual materials are to be made available to parents/guardians for in-person review, upon request, on the same basis as printed materials are made available. Parents/Guardians have the right to review student school records, including but not limited to books checked out by their child.

Other Parental Considerations

In school libraries, students are afforded the opportunity to self-select texts as part of literacy development. While librarians are trained in selecting materials in accordance with Board policy and the outlined selection criteria and may provide guidance to students in selecting texts, the ultimate determination of appropriateness for a minor lies with the parent/guardian. School librarians, or designated campus administrators, are to encourage parents/guardians to share any considerations regarding their students’ book selections. Parents/Guardians may contact the campus librarian directly and/or complete an online form for library book or content opt-out decisions. School librarians will honor and accommodate individual requests by parents/guardians, within reason, which may include restricting specific titles or books.

§

• In the Fall of 2021, parents raised concerns about sexually explicit books found on our school library’s shelves.
• Parents notified the Library Coordinator, who assured parents that every library book at CBSD passed the Miller test and is appropriate for minors.
• For your reference here is The Miller Test that was applied:
  • (1) whether the average person applying contemporary community standards would find the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
  • (2) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law; and
  • (3) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
• Parents and the conservative School Board Directors, disagree with Mrs. Burger that there are NO sexually explicit books in our libraries. (per the graphic images below)
• Policy 109.2 was passed 6-3. Dr. Marian Mahmud, Dr. Tabitha Dell’Angelo, and Mrs. Karen Smith voted to continue to allow sexualized materials in CBSD, breaking federal laws (18 USC 1466A + 18 USC 1470).
• In December 2022, the Administration submitted five book challenges based on previous parental requests. Those five titles under review now are, “This Book is Gay“, “Gender Queer“, “The Bluest Eye“, “Beyond Magenta“, and “Lawn Boy.”

As of March 2023, no books have been removed from any Central Bucks School District Library.

• An Administrative Regulation (AR) was developed by December 2022 to implement Policy 109 in the district.
• A list of challenged books has been compiled by some parents, along with links and documentation of their content. They were submitted to Mrs. Burger, the Library Coordinator.
• Every single book that was challenged has sexually explicit content.
• Five Books will be reviewed every 2-3 months. That is approximately 15-20 books reviewed per year, depending if the Committee reads over the summer. That means 2+ years to review 60 books.
  • Duval County Florida recently complied with State Law, reviewing over 1.6 million books for sexually explicit content, most of them staying on shelves. Why are our librarians in an uproar over 60 books and why is it going to take 2 years?
• Why are parents to opt-out (versus opt-in)?
• Challenged books can be reviewed on Booklooks.org, a parental resource that helps identify sexually explicit content in young adult books, entering our primary and seconary schools. Booklooks has created a helpful rating system for busy parents.
• Below is a spreadsheet that details every book challenged. Additional information is included such as author, location of the books and number of copies in our library system, a Booklooks rating and links, and a brief description of why the book was challenged.

Every single book that was challenged contains obscene, sexually explicit content and are categorized as “Young Adult” books, and usually referenced for 18+ years old from most online retailers and reviewers.

****************Please scroll completely to the right in the table to view all information for each book!*******************

What is the definition of the word, ‘ban’?

1: legal or formal prohibition | Example: He has been banned from driving for 60 days.

2: Censure or condemnation especially through social pressure | Example: It is bigoted to ban people for their religious views

CBSD can’t ban books because they are not a publisher. Any parent or student can purchase these books at a local bookstore, online retailer or borrow from the local public libraries.

The media and community activists OUTRIGHT lie when they claim the CBSD School Board is banning books.

Who Is Really Banning Books at CBSD?

Parents asked Mrs. Burger to purchase alternative types of books. Specifically, we asked her to add two, well-known, female black authors, but Mrs. Burger declined. One of the female black American authors grew up during segregation and her books provide a personal perspective on the civil rights movement, which is of high academic value to our students.

After several parental requests, Mrs. Burger denied including these books without providing an explanation. After repeated attempts for clarification, Mrs. Burger refused to respond to any parent with explanation.

Isn’t that censorship?

First, what is Censorship?

Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that some individuals, groups, or government officials find objectionable or dangerous.  Would-be censors try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, on everyone else. Censors pressure public institutions, like libraries, to suppress and remove information they judge inappropriate or dangerous from public access, so that no one else has the chance to read or view the material and make up their own minds about it. The censor wants to prejudge materials for everyone.  It is no more complicated than someone saying, “Don’t let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it!”

There are over 400 copies of books identified of obscene, sexually explicit material in CBSD libraries. Yet, Mrs. Burger is unwilling to put just two books of black female authors, one of which grew up during the civil rights movement. Parents even offered to pay for the two books, and Mrs. Burger refuses to respond. Her silence is censorship.

So why is Mrs. Burger censoring ideas and information on the civil rights movement? Certainly there is room for two more books on the shelves of CB South Library? Two of the 39 copies of Living Dead Girl (Pedophile book) can’t be archived?

Conflicts with Review Process and Procedure

Continued conversations with the Library Coordinator have been frustrating and created more questions than answers. Our school board majority and Dr. Lucabaugh have been continuing to provide answers and guidance in navigating this issue. In Duval County Florida, media specialists were hired and have already reviewed 1.6 million books in their libraries because of state law. Do we need state law to do the right thing quickly?

• 5 books are to be reviewed every 2-3 months. Our libraries have over a million books… can you imagine how long that would take?
• It is clear what sexually explicit photos and verbiage is. These are adult books in a child’s library. There should be no pause or other consideration as to why they books need to stay.
• When mentioning Federal Law to our library coordinator, the Miller test was touted as the way to review content. This is very disappointing and disturbing as we are trying to protect our staff from potential possible legal issues in the future.
• Frustrations increased when we learned that books are not read by the librarian staff before purchasing more then one copy. This is not acceptable nor prudent when spending taxpayer money.
• Laws like the one outlined below outline moral and common sense positions when educating and protecting our children. We would like our district to comply with policy 109 as quickly as possible and take Federal Law seriously.

If you were making a six figure salary would your company allow you to take two years to review 60 books?

Local author, Lori Halse Anderson, was asked to speak at our last board meeting and cautioned our board on removing her books, touting that she has sold 9 million copies and received many literary awards. Many of those copies were bought by taxpayers and put in school libraries after ALA and publishers recommendations, even though they are Young Adult (18+). This opened the floodgates for more purchases by schools and created the narrative that they are relevant to children despite the sexually graphic content and violent behavior. We certainly don’t advocate for a ban on any author’s books. What we do condemn is the sexualization of children and mislabeling of adult books as Young Adult when they are not appropriate for minors.

CBSD is not banning her books. This is a false narrative propagated by an author who does not know our community. Policy 109 allows the district to prioritize taxpayer dollars for educational purposes and choose their resources appropriately for their curriculum and it must comply with Federal Law against the corruption of minors.

Of course, parents believe rape is a serious issue and victims should be supported and receive professional help. Teens need to be taught that “No, means no” and this issue needs to be discussed appropriately and can be included in an academic setting. But children don’t need to read about fictional stories detailing rape in order to learn that it’s wrong and how to prevent it. Because we don’t feel that graphic books are appropriate in an academic library, doesn’t mean that we are “putting our head in the sand” as people suggest, and don’t want to talk about this issue with our children to prevent rape, especially child rape. That is false. Conversations that deal directly with the problem are important, not just fictional stories which detail violent events with no conversations with parents or professionals after. Who’s checking up on our children after they read these books? Teachers are not therapists or medical professionals and it’s not proper to put them in that role.

Reading explicitly sexually violent passages does not help victims of rape cope nor educate a child on prevention tragedies, self-confidence initiatives or recovery. Rape crisis and mental health professionals are trained authorities who help victims, not authors. No therapist would recommend these books for therapeutic reasons and that is a false narrative that is used as an excuse to keep these books in our libraries. These books are adult in their content (Young Adult (18+)), and just because the characters are teenagers doesn’t mean that they are appropriate for minors to read. Parents have every right to purchase these books for their own children as they see fit, but taxpayers have a right to direct their funding on curriculum.

For a future book, we would like to request a book on how to build self-esteem, healthy teenage relationships, how teens can navigate potential harmful sexual situations, and how to be strong young adults. Do we need a violent rape passage so convey these messages and help teens? We have an example where a publisher attempted to steer an author into putting sexually explicit material in the books. Her books should not be banned from print, but we wonder why our librarians put books with sexually explicit material in our schools in the first place. And we are allowed to advocate for what is appropriate for the education of our children.

Our CBSD librarians have stocked our shelves with many copies of this authors books, especially in our middle schools. Parents are also questioning whether these books have been used in a classroom setting because of large copy number. Why are our librarians choosing adult themed books for our children to read? And why do we need 62 copies of one book in our libraries?

Shout- Rating 3- Minor Restricted. This book contains sexual activities; sexual assault; sexual nudity; profanity; alcohol and drug use by minors; inflammatory gender references; and controversial social commentary. http://booklooks.org/data/files/Book%20Looks%20Reports/S/SHOUT.pdf 7 copies- 3 CB South, 1 CB West, 1 Tohickon, 1 Lenape, 1 Unami

Speak and Speak: The Graphic Novel- Rating 3- Minor Restricted This book contains sexual activities including inexplicit sexual assault and battery; and profanity. http://booklooks.org/data/files/Book%20Looks%20Reports/S/Speak.pdf 62 Copies – 20 (5 graphic) CB South, 3 (1 graphic) CB West, 9 (1 graphic) Holicong, 5 (1 graphic) Lenape, 15 (2 graphic) Unami, 7 (3 graphic)) Tohickon, 2 Tamenand

Wintergirls – Rating 3 Minor Restricted. This book contains self-harm including anorexia, bulimia, cutting and suicidal ideations; alcohol use; drug use; and profanity and derogatory terms. “You’re not dead, but you’re not alive. You’re a wintergirl”. In our opinion, if children identify with the concepts in these books, professional therapy would be the best solution. http://booklooks.org/data/files/Book%20Looks%20Reports/W/Wintergirls.pdf 14 copies: 5 CB South, 1 CB West, 1 Holicong, 3 Unami, 2 Lenape, 1 Tamanend, 1 Tohickon

If the book cover on the left had been sold in the US, would our librarians have put it on CBSD shelves without reading it? Does this help prove that adult content can be easily hidden within the pages of a book where parents can’t see it? Just because the story is about a teenager doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for minors to read.

Finally, of note when researching Ms. Anderson in our library, we came upon another series of elementary school books called “Vet Volunteers”, who’s story lines always seem to end with a plot twist involving social activism (helping end animal testing in laboratories, puppy mills) by the lead character. While “doing the right thing” in society is always applauded, are these books are intended to start children on the path to political activism early? Can’t elementary kids just be kids?

Ms. Anderson, we have no doubt that people enjoy your work and adults all over the world believe that you deserve the awards that you receive. However, some parents here in CBSD feel that your books are not for minors and we have found no scientific evidence that sexually traumatic books help children. We have consulted a professional therapist that indicated that they would never recommend sexually explicit books as a therapy option to victims.

• Our library coordinator indicated that librarians at CBSD do not actually read all materials being brought into our library; they rely heavily on the recommendations from the ALA and the Library Bill of Rights, which is a guideline. Regardless, Federal Laws over the corruption of minors trump guidelines created by a non-profit group.
• CBSD parents want to know why the ALA is pushing copious amounts of sexually explicit and bigoted material in the young adult genre? Many of these books started out in the adult fiction genre and have now been also designated as young adult.
• Learn what the ALA advocates for.
• Follow the Money

Federal law specifically prohibits sexually explicit material to minors through facilities or provided by adults. Our school district is in violation of federal law. Our school board majority and top administration has recognized this deficiency and is focusing on compliance.

Mrs. Smith, Dr. Dell’Angelo and Dr. Mahmud voted in favor of breaking federal law.

Section 1470 of Title 18, United States Code, Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly transfers obscene matter to another individual who has not attained the age of 16 years, knowing that such other individual has not attained the age of 16 years, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

18 U.S.C. § 1466A– Obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.

• The CBSD School Board archived Library Policy 109 in 2018
• Upon learning of the sexually explicit material in our school libraries from parents, the board reinstated Library Policy 109 in July 2022.
• The board added digital materials (included in Reference Materials) selections to be aligned with the current curriculum.

Adopted

July 23, 2002

Last Revised

July 26, 2022

Prior Revised Dates

1/25/2011

Authority

The Board shall, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the full Board, provide resource materials that implement, support, and enrich the educational program of district schools.[1][2][3]

Definition

District-wide approved and provided resource materials are defined as supplemental instruction materials that are included in our approved courses of study including nonfiction and fiction books, magazines, reference books, supplementary titles, multimedia and digital materials, software, maps, and any other instructional material not otherwise covered in the textbook policy.

Delegation of Responsibility

District-wide resource materials shall be adopted by the Board of School Directors at any regular meeting. The Superintendent shall report in which subjects new district-wide supplementary materials are needed, and after consultation with the teachers, K-12 Supervisors, principals, and others, under his/her supervision, what district-wide materials should be adopted or changed. No adoption or change of materials shall be made without the Superintendent’s recommendation, except by a two-thirds vote of the Board.[2]

A list of resource materials provided by the district shall be maintained on its publicly accessible website by the Superintendent or designee and shall be available to Board members, district staff, students, parents/guardians, and community members. Such lists will include an internet URL where available.[4]

§

• The Board recognized that CBSD has a finite amount of money and space, therefore must prioritize academic materials over inappropriate materials for the students.
• The Board clearly outlined and defined in Policy 109.1 what sexually explicit content is and what should not be in our schools.

Adopted

August 9, 2022

Purpose

The Board is aware that textbooks and supplementary materials in the district are to be used almost exclusively by minors. The Board is also aware that the options for materials available to support and enrich the curriculum of the district are vast. However, there is a finite amount of time to teach students, a finite amount of space in the curriculum, and a finite amount of money to purchase materials. As such, it is necessary that the district prioritize materials that enrich the curriculum and advance the pedagogical interest over material that may similarly enrich curriculum but which also expose minor students to certain age-inappropriate content.

Definition

Sexual acts are defined as sexual intercourse, masturbation, sadism, masochism, bestiality, fellatio, cunnilingus, exhibition of genitals or nudity if such nudity is depicted for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification, or any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts.[1]

Guidelines

Sexualized content that falls short of material prohibited by criminal laws is nonetheless generally inappropriate and/or unnecessary for minors in school. As such, the district will prioritize inclusion of quality materials suitable for educational goals and worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students that do not contain sexualized content.

High School

The Superintendent shall not recommend textbooks per Policy 108 or supplementary resource materials per Policy 109  containing:[2][3]

1. Visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts.
    
2. Explicit written descriptions of sexual acts, except for the purposes of teaching students to avoid and report molestation or educating about the procreative sex act for purposes of science and health instruction.

Other Sexualized Content

In recommending textbooks or supplemental resource materials for high school students, the Superintendent shall seek to prioritize materials that do not contain other sexualized content, such as non-explicit descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity.

When seeking approval from the Board for any high school textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing such content, the Superintendent or designee must notify the Board that such material is present and offer potential alternative options to the Board which cover similar pedagogical purposes for the resource, but which do not contain the aforementioned content.

Parental consent must be obtained for high school students before using any textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing explicit written descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity.

Middle School

The Superintendent shall not recommend textbooks per Policy 108 or supplementary resource materials per Policy 109 containing:[2][3]

1. Visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts.
    
2. Explicit written descriptions of sexual acts, except for the purposes of teaching students to avoid and report molestation or educating about the procreative sex act for purposes of science and health instruction.
    
3. Visual depictions of nudity – not including diagrams for educating about anatomy for science and health instruction or breastfeeding or content relating to classical works of art.

Other Sexualized Content

In recommending textbooks or supplemental materials for middle school students, the Superintendent shall seek to prioritize materials that do not contain other sexualized content, such as implied descriptions of sexual acts or implied depictions of nudity.

When seeking approval from the Board for any middle school textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing such content, the Superintendent or designee must notify the Board that such material is present and offer potential alternative options to the Board which cover similar pedagogical purposes for the resource, but which do not contain the aforementioned content.

Parental consent must be obtained for middle school students before using any textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing implied written descriptions of sexual acts or implied visual depictions of nudity.

Elementary School

The Superintendent shall not recommend textbooks per Policy 108 or supplementary resource materials per Policy 109 containing:

1. Visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts.
    
2. Explicit written descriptions of sexual acts.
    
3. Implied written descriptions of sexual acts, except for the purposes of teaching students to avoid and report molestation.
    
4. Visual depictions of nudity or implied nudity – not including diagrams for educating about anatomy for science and health instruction or breastfeeding or content relating to classical works of art.

Parental consent must be obtained for elementary school students before using any textbooks or supplementary resource materials containing implied written descriptions of sexual acts for the purposes of teaching students to avoid or report molestation, any diagrams for educating about anatomy for purposes of science and health instruction, and any visual depictions of nudity or implied nudity relating to classical works of art.

• Prioritizing academic materials over inappropriate material
• The district’s libraries exist to facilitate research learning by furnishing materials that are of requisite quality, suitable for educational goals, worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students, and most appropriate for minor students.
• The school library is not a public forum, nor is the goal to encourage views from private speakers/authors.
• The district recognizes that parents/guardians hold an essential role in the education of their children and have the unalienable right to guide what their children read.
• No sexually explicit materials are allowed in our School District.

Adopted

July 26, 2022

Objectives

The district seeks to provide library materials that would be of the greatest support to its educational objectives for the minor students in the district. The district’s libraries exist to facilitate research and learning by furnishing materials that are of requisite quality, suitable for educational goals, worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students, and most appropriate for minor students. The district’s libraries do not exist to provide universal coverage but instead to provide materials aimed at its pedagogical goals and for the interest, information, and enlightenment of minor children, not adults. The school library is not a public forum, nor is the goal to encourage views from private speakers/authors.

Since school and classroom libraries are viewed as places for voluntary inquiry, library materials must be treated differently from instructional materials used in the classroom.

This policy provides criteria for the selection, removal, and replacement of library materials, focused on maximizing transparency with parents/guardians and community members while meeting student needs to provide supplemental enrichment in their learning with appropriate materials. Through the provision of these library materials, the district recognizes that parents/guardians hold an essential role in the education of their children and have the right to guide what their children read.

Definition

Library materials, whether held in a formal school library or in a classroom, shall include all materials that are made available to students through the school library system and that are not otherwise approved as instructional resources through policies 108 relating to textbooks or 109 related to supplemental resource materials. Library materials are for independent use by students and faculty outside of the district’s core educational program.

While instructional materials and library materials are both considered instructional resources, they are not the same, and the terms shall not be used interchangeably.

Responsibility for Selection and Acquisition Process

Recommendations for new material and reorders of existing material shall be made by the district-level library supervisor or similar administrator designated by the Superintendent.

Such recommendations may be based on their own expertise or based on recommendations from librarians, administrators, teachers, other district personnel, parents/guardians, and community members. Gifts and donations of library materials must go through the same process and materials must align with the same selection criteria as purchased materials.

The district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees shall then give a list of recommendations to the Superintendent or designees.

After Superintendent or designees’ approval, the final list shall be processed for order. As the new materials are received, they shall be checked against a master list of materials ordered.

Selection of materials is an ongoing process that includes the periodic replacement or repair of materials still of educational value.

Avoiding Inappropriate Material

The district recognizes there exists a vast array of materials with rich educational content. It is the district’s objective to choose material that provides such rich educational content appropriate to students in the district over material that may provide similar content but with elements that are inappropriate or unnecessary for minors in a school setting.

Sexualized content that falls short of material prohibited by criminal laws is nonetheless generally inappropriate and/or unnecessary for minors in school. Parents/Guardians have a wide range of options outside of the district’s library system to introduce their child to sexualized content they deem appropriate for their child’s age. As such, the district will prioritize inclusion of quality materials suitable for educational goals and worthwhile for the limited amount of time available to students that do not contain sexualized content.

Elementary School Libraries

No materials in elementary libraries shall contain:

• visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts,
   
• explicit or implied written descriptions of sexual acts, or
   
• visual depictions of nudity or implied nudity.

Middle School Libraries

No materials in middle school libraries shall contain:

• visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts,
   
• explicit written descriptions of sexual acts, or
   
• visual depictions of nudity—not including materials with diagrams about anatomy for science or content relating to classical works of art.

In selecting library materials for middle school students, the selectors shall seek to prioritize the selection of materials that do not contain other sexualized content, such as implied written description of sexual acts or implied nudity.

High School Libraries

No materials in high school libraries shall contain:

• visual or visually implied depictions of sexual acts or simulations of such acts, or
   
• explicit written descriptions of sexual acts.

In selecting library materials for high school students, the selectors shall seek to prioritize the selection of materials which do not contain other sexualized content, such as explicit descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity.

Prioritization Process

When seeking approval from the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designee for any library materials containing explicit written descriptions of sexual acts or visual depictions of nudity that would be available to high school students or, in the case of middle school students, materials that contain an implied written description of sexual acts or implied nudity, the librarian involved in the collection development process must notify the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designee that such sexualized content is present in the material and offer potential alternative options from which to choose, which cover similar pedagogical purposes for the resource but which do not contain the aforementioned sexualized content.

District libraries must also comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as specified in 47 U.S.C. §254(h)(5), including technology protection measures, and all state and federal laws relating to the prohibition on pornographic and other harmful materials for minors.

The district shall also contract with third party providers of electronic materials who will provide resources to students in compliance with the goals of this policy.

Criteria for Selection

The district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designee shall work cooperatively with library staff, faculty, and the administration to select material consistent with this policy. To ensure parental engagement, the district shall make the selection process of library materials readily available for parental review, with a list of all library materials posted on-line on the district’s website, and the content of all materials available for direct review during reasonable hours specified for such review.

Each item selected shall:

1. Support and enrich the curriculum and/or students’ personal interests and learning;
    
2. Be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, intellectual development, and ability level of the students for whom the materials are selected; and
    
3. For non-fiction resources, incorporate accurate and authentic factual content.

Prior to any material being recommended for inclusion by the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees, the potential library material shall have been reviewed by the district-level library supervisor or individual(s) designated by that supervisor.

Optimizing Library Resources

A good collection development plan must include weeding. The process of weeding is a key part of assessing the collection. It helps keep the collection relevant, accurate, and useful, and it facilitates more effective use of space in the library. A thorough weeding is accomplished at least once every fifth year. Criteria for weeding of materials includes poor physical condition, outdated content, and/or lack of circulation. Lost, damaged, or worn books are not automatically replaced. The decision to replace materials is based on availability and continued relevance; also considered are the availability of duplicates, the number of other books on the same subject, the availability of more recent or better material, more appropriate material, and the continued demand for the book in question.

All materials are selected to provide a balanced collection. A wide range of recognized classics should be maintained in each library.

Challenge Procedures

A parent/guardian of a district student or any district resident may formally challenge library material on the basis of appropriateness. The school receiving a complaint about the appropriateness of a library material shall try to resolve the matter informally through a telephone conference or meeting between the complainant and the school librarian, designated campus administrator, or district-level library supervisor. The conference may also include other necessary staff members as deemed appropriate by district-level library personnel.

If the complainant wishes to file a formal request for reconsideration, a copy of this policy shall be provided to the complainant by district-level library supervisor or appropriate administrator with instructions to submit the information requested below.

All formal concerns regarding library materials shall be submitted to the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees, and shall state: 1) the complainant’s name and contact information, 2) the name/author of the library resource, 3) cite page numbers and specific information in the material to support the objections, 4) offer suggestions as to replacements that are of equal or better merit and which convey the same or similar educational purpose that may have led to the objected material being included in the library in the first place, 5) and state whether the complainant is requesting a reevaluation of the material’s inclusion by the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees or is simply making a request that the material not be assigned to or checked out by the complainant’s child.

The district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees shall review the complaint and the challenged material and determine whether it conforms to the principles of selection set out in this policy.

The major criterion for the final decision on challenged library material is the appropriateness of the resource for its intended educational use and intended audience of minor students. The plurality opinion in Bd. of Educ. v. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982), uses the standard that no challenged instructional resource shall be removed because of the ideas expressed therein. Removal of materials may be based upon the lack of educational suitability of the library material, lack of appropriateness for minors such as sexualized content, and for pervasive profanity or vulgarity. It need not rise to the levels of obscene material or material which would violate criminal laws in order to warrant replacing the material with better options.

When a decision has been reached, the appropriate district-level administrator shall notify the complainant. The decision shall be in written form, dated, and provided to the complainant within ten (10) district business days of the decision. All other appropriate staff members will be informed of the reconsideration and the outcome.

Specific library material that has withstood the formal challenge process and remains in the library will not be the subject of an additional formal challenge within one (1) year of the final date of determination. Furthermore, material removed pursuant to the challenge process will not be returned to the library without meeting the criteria for selection as outlined in this policy. The district shall verify previous decisions prior to convening a reconsideration committee. The complainant may appeal the decision of the district-level library supervisor or Superintendent’s designees to the Board of School Directors.

Opportunity for Parental Review

In recognizing that parents/guardians hold an essential role in the education of their children and have the right to guide what their children read, each library shall maintain a printed list of materials onsite and on the school library website that shows what has been selected as well as what is slated for acquisition. Audio-visual materials are to be made available to parents/guardians for in-person review, upon request, on the same basis as printed materials are made available. Parents/Guardians have the right to review student school records, including but not limited to books checked out by their child.

Other Parental Considerations

In school libraries, students are afforded the opportunity to self-select texts as part of literacy development. While librarians are trained in selecting materials in accordance with Board policy and the outlined selection criteria and may provide guidance to students in selecting texts, the ultimate determination of appropriateness for a minor lies with the parent/guardian. School librarians, or designated campus administrators, are to encourage parents/guardians to share any considerations regarding their students’ book selections. Parents/Guardians may contact the campus librarian directly and/or complete an online form for library book or content opt-out decisions. School librarians will honor and accommodate individual requests by parents/guardians, within reason, which may include restricting specific titles or books.

§

• In the Fall of 2021, parents raised concerns about sexually explicit books found on our school library’s shelves.
• Parents notified the Library Coordinator, who assured parents that every library book at CBSD passed the Miller test and is appropriate for minors.
• For your reference here is The Miller Test that was applied:
  • (1) whether the average person applying contemporary community standards would find the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
  • (2) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law; and
  • (3) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
• Parents and the conservative School Board Directors, disagree with Mrs. Burger that there are NO sexually explicit books in our libraries. (per the graphic images below)
• Policy 109.2 was passed 6-3. Dr. Marian Mahmud, Dr. Tabitha Dell’Angelo, and Mrs. Karen Smith voted to continue to allow sexualized materials in CBSD, breaking federal laws (18 USC 1466A + 18 USC 1470).
• In December 2022, the Administration submitted five book challenges based on previous parental requests. Those five titles under review now are, “This Book is Gay“, “Gender Queer“, “The Bluest Eye“, “Beyond Magenta“, and “Lawn Boy.”

As of March 2023, no books have been removed from any Central Bucks School District Library.

• An Administrative Regulation (AR) was developed by December 2022 to implement Policy 109 in the district.
• A list of challenged books has been compiled by some parents, along with links and documentation of their content. They were submitted to Mrs. Burger, the Library Coordinator.
• Every single book that was challenged has sexually explicit content.
• Five Books will be reviewed every 2-3 months. That is approximately 15-20 books reviewed per year, depending if the Committee reads over the summer. That means 2+ years to review 60 books.
  • Duval County Florida recently complied with State Law, reviewing over 1.6 million books for sexually explicit content, most of them staying on shelves. Why are our librarians in an uproar over 60 books and why is it going to take 2 years?
• Why are parents to opt-out (versus opt-in)?
• Challenged books can be reviewed on Booklooks.org, a parental resource that helps identify sexually explicit content in young adult books, entering our primary and seconary schools. Booklooks has created a helpful rating system for busy parents.
• Below is a spreadsheet that details every book challenged. Additional information is included such as author, location of the books and number of copies in our library system, a Booklooks rating and links, and a brief description of why the book was challenged.

Every single book that was challenged contains obscene, sexually explicit content and are categorized as “Young Adult” books, and usually referenced for 18+ years old from most online retailers and reviewers.

****************Please scroll completely to the right in the table to view all information for each book!*******************

What is the definition of the word, ‘ban’?

1: legal or formal prohibition | Example: He has been banned from driving for 60 days.

2: Censure or condemnation especially through social pressure | Example: It is bigoted to ban people for their religious views

CBSD can’t ban books because they are not a publisher. Any parent or student can purchase these books at a local bookstore, online retailer or borrow from the local public libraries.

The media and community activists OUTRIGHT lie when they claim the CBSD School Board is banning books.

Who Is Really Banning Books at CBSD?

Parents asked Mrs. Burger to purchase alternative types of books. Specifically, we asked her to add two, well-known, female black authors, but Mrs. Burger declined. One of the female black American authors grew up during segregation and her books provide a personal perspective on the civil rights movement, which is of high academic value to our students.

After several parental requests, Mrs. Burger denied including these books without providing an explanation. After repeated attempts for clarification, Mrs. Burger refused to respond to any parent with explanation.

Isn’t that censorship?

First, what is Censorship?

Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that some individuals, groups, or government officials find objectionable or dangerous.  Would-be censors try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, on everyone else. Censors pressure public institutions, like libraries, to suppress and remove information they judge inappropriate or dangerous from public access, so that no one else has the chance to read or view the material and make up their own minds about it. The censor wants to prejudge materials for everyone.  It is no more complicated than someone saying, “Don’t let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it!”

There are over 400 copies of books identified of obscene, sexually explicit material in CBSD libraries. Yet, Mrs. Burger is unwilling to put just two books of black female authors, one of which grew up during the civil rights movement. Parents even offered to pay for the two books, and Mrs. Burger refuses to respond. Her silence is censorship.

So why is Mrs. Burger censoring ideas and information on the civil rights movement? Certainly there is room for two more books on the shelves of CB South Library? Two of the 39 copies of Living Dead Girl (Pedophile book) can’t be archived?

Conflicts with Review Process and Procedure

Continued conversations with the Library Coordinator have been frustrating and created more questions than answers. Our school board majority and Dr. Lucabaugh have been continuing to provide answers and guidance in navigating this issue. In Duval County Florida, media specialists were hired and have already reviewed 1.6 million books in their libraries because of state law. Do we need state law to do the right thing quickly?

• 5 books are to be reviewed every 2-3 months. Our libraries have over a million books… can you imagine how long that would take?
• It is clear what sexually explicit photos and verbiage is. These are adult books in a child’s library. There should be no pause or other consideration as to why they books need to stay.
• When mentioning Federal Law to our library coordinator, the Miller test was touted as the way to review content. This is very disappointing and disturbing as we are trying to protect our staff from potential possible legal issues in the future.
• Frustrations increased when we learned that books are not read by the librarian staff before purchasing more then one copy. This is not acceptable nor prudent when spending taxpayer money.
• Laws like the one outlined below outline moral and common sense positions when educating and protecting our children. We would like our district to comply with policy 109 as quickly as possible and take Federal Law seriously.

If you were making a six figure salary would your company allow you to take two years to review 60 books?

Local author, Lori Halse Anderson, was asked to speak at our last board meeting and cautioned our board on removing her books, touting that she has sold 9 million copies and received many literary awards. Many of those copies were bought by taxpayers and put in school libraries after ALA and publishers recommendations, even though they are Young Adult (18+). This opened the floodgates for more purchases by schools and created the narrative that they are relevant to children despite the sexually graphic content and violent behavior. We certainly don’t advocate for a ban on any author’s books. What we do condemn is the sexualization of children and mislabeling of adult books as Young Adult when they are not appropriate for minors.

CBSD is not banning her books. This is a false narrative propagated by an author who does not know our community. Policy 109 allows the district to prioritize taxpayer dollars for educational purposes and choose their resources appropriately for their curriculum and it must comply with Federal Law against the corruption of minors.

Of course, parents believe rape is a serious issue and victims should be supported and receive professional help. Teens need to be taught that “No, means no” and this issue needs to be discussed appropriately and can be included in an academic setting. But children don’t need to read about fictional stories detailing rape in order to learn that it’s wrong and how to prevent it. Because we don’t feel that graphic books are appropriate in an academic library, doesn’t mean that we are “putting our head in the sand” as people suggest, and don’t want to talk about this issue with our children to prevent rape, especially child rape. That is false. Conversations that deal directly with the problem are important, not just fictional stories which detail violent events with no conversations with parents or professionals after. Who’s checking up on our children after they read these books? Teachers are not therapists or medical professionals and it’s not proper to put them in that role.

Reading explicitly sexually violent passages does not help victims of rape cope nor educate a child on prevention tragedies, self-confidence initiatives or recovery. Rape crisis and mental health professionals are trained authorities who help victims, not authors. No therapist would recommend these books for therapeutic reasons and that is a false narrative that is used as an excuse to keep these books in our libraries. These books are adult in their content (Young Adult (18+)), and just because the characters are teenagers doesn’t mean that they are appropriate for minors to read. Parents have every right to purchase these books for their own children as they see fit, but taxpayers have a right to direct their funding on curriculum.

For a future book, we would like to request a book on how to build self-esteem, healthy teenage relationships, how teens can navigate potential harmful sexual situations, and how to be strong young adults. Do we need a violent rape passage so convey these messages and help teens? We have an example where a publisher attempted to steer an author into putting sexually explicit material in the books. Her books should not be banned from print, but we wonder why our librarians put books with sexually explicit material in our schools in the first place. And we are allowed to advocate for what is appropriate for the education of our children.

Our CBSD librarians have stocked our shelves with many copies of this authors books, especially in our middle schools. Parents are also questioning whether these books have been used in a classroom setting because of large copy number. Why are our librarians choosing adult themed books for our children to read? And why do we need 62 copies of one book in our libraries?

Shout- Rating 3- Minor Restricted. This book contains sexual activities; sexual assault; sexual nudity; profanity; alcohol and drug use by minors; inflammatory gender references; and controversial social commentary. http://booklooks.org/data/files/Book%20Looks%20Reports/S/SHOUT.pdf 7 copies- 3 CB South, 1 CB West, 1 Tohickon, 1 Lenape, 1 Unami

Speak and Speak: The Graphic Novel- Rating 3- Minor Restricted This book contains sexual activities including inexplicit sexual assault and battery; and profanity. http://booklooks.org/data/files/Book%20Looks%20Reports/S/Speak.pdf 62 Copies – 20 (5 graphic) CB South, 3 (1 graphic) CB West, 9 (1 graphic) Holicong, 5 (1 graphic) Lenape, 15 (2 graphic) Unami, 7 (3 graphic)) Tohickon, 2 Tamenand

Wintergirls – Rating 3 Minor Restricted. This book contains self-harm including anorexia, bulimia, cutting and suicidal ideations; alcohol use; drug use; and profanity and derogatory terms. “You’re not dead, but you’re not alive. You’re a wintergirl”. In our opinion, if children identify with the concepts in these books, professional therapy would be the best solution. http://booklooks.org/data/files/Book%20Looks%20Reports/W/Wintergirls.pdf 14 copies: 5 CB South, 1 CB West, 1 Holicong, 3 Unami, 2 Lenape, 1 Tamanend, 1 Tohickon

If the book cover on the left had been sold in the US, would our librarians have put it on CBSD shelves without reading it? Does this help prove that adult content can be easily hidden within the pages of a book where parents can’t see it? Just because the story is about a teenager doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for minors to read.

Finally, of note when researching Ms. Anderson in our library, we came upon another series of elementary school books called “Vet Volunteers”, who’s story lines always seem to end with a plot twist involving social activism (helping end animal testing in laboratories, puppy mills) by the lead character. While “doing the right thing” in society is always applauded, are these books are intended to start children on the path to political activism early? Can’t elementary kids just be kids?

Ms. Anderson, we have no doubt that people enjoy your work and adults all over the world believe that you deserve the awards that you receive. However, some parents here in CBSD feel that your books are not for minors and we have found no scientific evidence that sexually traumatic books help children. We have consulted a professional therapist that indicated that they would never recommend sexually explicit books as a therapy option to victims.

• Our library coordinator indicated that librarians at CBSD do not actually read all materials being brought into our library; they rely heavily on the recommendations from the ALA and the Library Bill of Rights, which is a guideline. Regardless, Federal Laws over the corruption of minors trump guidelines created by a non-profit group.
• CBSD parents want to know why the ALA is pushing copious amounts of sexually explicit and bigoted material in the young adult genre? Many of these books started out in the adult fiction genre and have now been also designated as young adult.
• Learn what the ALA advocates for.
• Follow the Money