High Standards?: When Books Are Intentionally Shelved Beyond Young Readers' Reach

I’m about to replace an elementary school librarian who has had the job for 35 years. When I visited the school, I noticed that the picture books and fiction were shelved on the bottom three shelves, and nonfiction was shelved on the top shelves. When I inquired about this arrangement, the librarian told me that only fourth and fifth graders were allowed to check out nonfiction; so she kept those titles out of the reach of younger children. Is that censorship? I intend to change this practice, but I’m afraid I’ll meet with opposition from the faculty. By the way, this is my first library position.

Yes, such denial of access is an act of censorship. There are so many good works of nonfiction for younger readers that I cringe at the thought that anyone would deny children the opportunity to read them. I hope that you change this practice your first day on the job. I seriously doubt that you’ll meet with any opposition. I bet the faculty is ready for such a change. I suggest having a library open house for faculty and staff. Display outstanding works of nonfiction, and invite faculty to brainstorm ways that they might use nonfiction in their classrooms. Let them know that children have a genuine interest in informational books, and that nonfiction is so celebrated that the Association of Library Service to Children awards the Sibert Medal annually to an outstanding work of nonfiction for children. Good Luck.

One of our teachers, who requires her fourth graders to read at least five Newbery Medal books, wondered why the library doesn’t have every single Newbery winner. I’ve tried to explain that some of them are too mature for elementary school students, but she thinks I’m practicing censorship—and she’s garnering support from other faculty members. What should I do?

I agree that there are a few Newbery-winning books that are too mature for some fourth graders. The Newbery rules state that books intended for children from “birth to 14” are eligible for the award. This broad age range is troubling to some librarians and teachers. For example, some educators feel that Jacob Have I Loved and The Giver are more appropriate for children ages 12 to 14. But fourth graders have a wide range of abilities and maturity levels and should have access to those books. Your job is to provide books that meet the needs of all of the school’s students. Although the teacher’s charge may be unfounded, this is a good time for you to examine your book-selection process. How do you decide which titles are too mature for students? Is your decision based on reviews? Have you read all of the Newbery winners? Has the teacher read all of them? Have you suggested that she also include Newbery Honor books? The silver seal means quality, too. And this gives children more reading choices.

In the spirit of team building I suggest that you form a faculty book club. Begin by having the group read all of the Newbery Medal and Honor books. Discuss each title’s literary merits as well as its potential child appeal. You might even invite students to offer their views. Anytime you can turn “negative” opinions into a positive outcome, it makes everyone a winner—especially young readers.

A principal in our district has demanded that the librarian cut all magazine subscriptions. He insists that his request is budget related, but I’ve heard that some parents complained about the content in magazines such as National Geographic and Seventeen. Can we do anything to protect librarians from such requests?

It sounds like this principal is using the economy as an excuse to commit an act of censorship. There will always be individual articles and ads that are troublesome to some readers, but patrons have the option of not reading that content. I might believe the principal’s rationale if he had simply told the librarian to cut the budget and let her decide what to cut. The fact that he targeted magazines is very suspicious.

Many school districts have districtwide library coordinators who deal with those kinds of problems. If you don’t have one, find out who deals with library-related issues, and ask that person to convene a districtwide meeting of librarians to talk about this specific case. Also, check your district’s materials selection policy. If there isn’t a policy that deals with magazine subscriptions, now is the time to lobby for such a policy. Without one, librarians are vulnerable.