Consider the following two library situations (fictional scenarios, but based on actual incidents): a.

) Jane is a librarian at Anytown's public elementary school and a 5th grade student, who has high reading skills, requests Lucky: A Memoir by Alice Sebold through interlibrary loan. In the book, Sebold describes her true-life account of a brutal attack and rape that occurred when she was a freshman in college. Jane has not added the book to the school library's collection, because it does not meet the criteria outlined in the library's collection development policy. b.) Bill is a librarian at Anytown's small public library and a 10-year old child requests Lucky: A Memoir by Alice Sebold through interlibrary loan. In the book, Sebold describes her true-life account of a brutal attack and rape that occurred when she was a freshman in college. Although Bill acquired Lovely Bones, which received numerous awards and was widely reviewed, for the collection, he has not purchased Luckybecause of limited funds.

You have been asked to join a panel presentation at a state conference to address intellectual freedom issues in relation to interlibrary loan for children, because the two situations described above have prompted discussion and debate. What is one key point you will make in your panel presentation? You only are concerned with communicating one point, because you know that the other panel members (i.e., your classmates) will cover other points. The following questions may be helpful as you consider your key point: How might you handle the ILL requests? What issues need to be considered? Does the type of library affect how you might respond to the situation?

Response Although I think the book is a bit too mature for the child, I would allow the interlibrary loan to process because the user has an interest in the item and it is apart of my job, I think, to find the item for her in other means. Just because I have limited funds to work with and am susceptible to the materials that only fit our CDP, it should not stand in the way of the child getting the book despite my personal judgment and bias. However, one thing I would try to do perhaps do is to stir the child into similar items at that are around her age and reading level. I would try to introduce to her to new items while also providing the access she is entitled to. In this situation, a variety of issues need to be considered such as how the parent is going to react towards it when they find out their child is requesting the book and the possibility that the parent might come to me about me about placing the hold on the item. In such case, I would probably refer to the ALA web page on how to essential preparation so that I can provide a clear and respectful

answer. http://www.ala.org/bbooks/challengedmaterials/preparation In this event, I would also try to see if the library has some sort of procedure on how to deal with concerns and questions from parents. If no such procedure is in place, it is wise to create one for future reference. I think this situation would be different in a school library where I think I am beholden to the school board, superintendent, and principal. To be honest, in the case of Jane at Anytown elementary school, I am not sure what I would do about the interlibrary loan. Apart of me would says go ahead and order through interlibrary loan and the other part of me says how is this item relevant to the school curriculum. Ultimately, I would go with what the collection development policy using the Hopkins School District policy as context. Especially the area III. Criteria for Selection of Library Resources which states the following: D. Library resources will be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning style, and social development of the students for whom the materials are selected. The better half of me tells me that its absolutely wrong of me to say no to the child because I am violating the childs entitlement to access to a variety of resources from different perspectives. Like my public library answer, I would try to work with the child to see if I can help him or her find similar books. I am so torn over this situation because I am one of those fearful librarians we read about. I am not sure if anyone knows, but do librarians have the ability to contact parents regarding material their child chooses to read? It seems like a terrible idea, but is it possible? I mention it because the Hopkins School District policy brings up The School Board affirms the right of parents to restrict their child's access to material they deem inappropriate. The Board further affirms that no parent has the right to make that decision on behalf of other children. I dont know if its just me, but I found the Hopkins School District policy to be inconsistent in some areas. For one it says yay intellectual freedom! and then it says another thing.