By Brandi Bartok
Candidate Question Series
During the lead-up to the Manitoba provincial election, the Manitoba School Library Association worked hard through social media to raise the status of school libraries in election discourse and to get candidates engaged in dialogue about the future of education. The Candidate Question Series took a deep dive into various aspects of school libraries with ten specific inquiries. The questions ranged from personal reflections on candidates’ experiences in school libraries to broader policy matters. Candidates were asked how they planned to ensure equitable education by providing fully funded and staffed school libraries to benefit every student. The posts highlighted defending diversity in school libraries and some questions probed candidates on their plans to promote inclusivity through culturally relevant materials that support all students, including 2SLQBTQIA+ students. A call was made to celebrate diversity in reading choices and to empower students in embracing their individuality and well-being.
Additionally, through our website and social media platforms, we promoted a list of questions to ask provincial candidates if they came to the doorstep. The questions were developed in partnership with the Manitoba Library Association which represents the interests of public libraries in the province. This partnership between the MSLA and the MLA increased visibility of our collective and common concerns. These questions were also promoted during the recent school trustee by-elections that occurred during the month of October in Brandon School Division.
Championing Intellectual Freedom
Another series of social media posts that were developed to focus on the crucial issue of censorship. Posts encouraged people to have open dialogue and respectful conversations about diverse content and to think about how book bans might impact students. The MSLA also urged readers to report censorship challenges and advocated for open access to information. At the same time, the MSLA launched our Toolkit for Diverse Collection Development and Intellectual Freedom in Manitoba Schools meant to support educators, school library staff, administrators and school trustees in understanding how collection diversity fits with provincial policy and to articulate the need for clear policies surrounding collection development, selection of materials and responding to challenges. It was sent out to all school divisions in the province of Manitoba. This document is meant to be a living document, subject to updates and is available on our website at manitobaschoollibraries.ca.
These activities, in conjunction with letter writing campaigns to school boards impacted by calls for book bans, various media opportunities, public statements written in partnership with the Manitoba Library Association and plans for future advocacy are some of the ways the Manitoba School Library Association is working to educate and elevate conversations related to school libraries.
Brandi Bartok is the Junior School Librarian at St. John’s-Ravenscourt School and current President of the Manitoba School Library Association.