Banned Books Role Descriptions

School Board Member

As a school board member you are a community member who is elected to work toward keeping the school district’s focus on the educational welfare of all children. Part of your responsibility includes establishing policies that provide a well-balanced curriculum resulting in improved student learning. This means that you want resources in schools to encourage education in many different ways. When a book is challenged, you must decide if it has educational merit. You must balance the perspectives of community members against a student's right to access reading materials.

Parent

As a parent you have students in high school and grade school. You are concerned that they receive a "good" education. You do not consider yourself overprotective and do not mind if your children are exposed to many different perspectives. Being a parent, however, you are aware of the different maturity levels in childhood. When a book is challenged, you must decide if it is appropriate for your child. You must balance the learning experience against your concerns about its impact on your child.

High School Student

As a student in high school, you consider yourself to be like most other students. You want to be able to decide what you will read based on your interests. You consider yourself old enough to make your own decisions about what materials might be offensive. Being a student, you realize that some reading material might be offensive and you are unsure how you feel about this. You must balance your own beliefs with the knowledge that reading interests are diverse.

Faculty Member

As a school librarian, you buy resources for the school library. Because you also have a teaching degree, you are aware of the interests and skill levels of high school students and use this knowledge when purchasing books. You also rely on reviews found in newspapers, magazines, and other publications. You support intellectual freedom – and believe that "Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment." Being a school librarian, you try to buy books that support what is being taught in school. You must choose resources by trying to address the needs of all students.

Administrator

As a principal, you are responsible for establishing an atmosphere of learning. You must work closely with the community, PTO, volunteers, and others to maintain effective lines of communication and ensure the overall success of the school. Because of this, you are aware of various perspectives and how difficult it is to balance the concerns of different groups. You want to ensure that students are able to have resources that help them learn and grow. You also realize that you have a responsibility to the community.