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FREE TO READ: It's Your Decision!
Banned Books Week@APL
September 24-October 1, 2005
As we recognize Banned Books Week, we celebrate the “Freedom to Read.” We believe that the parent or guardian should make decisions about what their child or teen reads, listens to, or views. Banned Books Week highlights titles that have been challenged by individuals or groups in an attempt to restrict access to the books or remove them from libraries. The lists of books challenged in recent years include many favorite authors and titles, including J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series, Dav Pilkey and his Captain Underpants series, and Barbara Park and her Junie B. Jones series. We strive to provide open access to a variety of materials and resources, with guidance from the Library’s Materials Selection Policy, the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and the Texas Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Statement. We choose materials on the basis of quality, variety, and
representation of divergent points of view, as well as popularity and customer demand.
We trust that you are exercising your rights in guiding your children’s selection of materials. These tips will help you and your children choose materials that are appropriate for your family:
- Come to the Library with your children. Monitor what they bring home, and talk with them about their selection.
- Read the plot summaries on the inside of the book jacket or on the back of the book or movie case. Information can also be found on the Literature Resource Center reference database available through the Library's Web site.
- Look at the call number on the spines of books, tapes, or movies. In general, the target audience for materials with call numbers beginning with "E" is preschoolers or early elementary students, while items with a "J" call number will be more appropriate for older elementary and middle school students. Materials with a "Y" classification may deal with more serious subjects, including sexual situations, illegal behavior, or abuse, and will be more suitable for older middle school and high school students.
- Ask a youth librarian for assistance in selecting books for your child.
- Refer to standard book lists and award lists that match your interests and values. Many of these are provided on the Youth Services Web site at www.cityofaustin.org/library/youth_ read.htm. For example, the Children's Crown and the Lamplighter reading lists encourage elementary and junior high students to read wholesome and uplifting books. Each list includes a link to information about the group that confers the award or develops the list.
You can view the Austin Public Library Materials Selection Policy on the Library's Web site at www.cityofaustin.org/library/information.htm. From the Web site, you can also link to the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights.
Amazon.com includes reviews from School Library Journal and Booklist, two standard sources used by libraries across the country. The site also includes reviews and comments from readers. For lists of recommended books, check out the Parents's Choice Foundation at www.parents-choice.org. The Faulk Central Library and some branches also own books, like Best Books for Children, that offer suggestions for good books your child will enjoy.
Elizabeth Murphy
Youth Librarian
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