By Carol Koechlin & Anita Brooks Kirkland
It is time to take a strong stand for what is right and best for students in Canada’s school library learning commons.
Say NO to Censorship
Continuous reports of book challenges in school libraries across Canada have spurred Canadian School Libraries to take immediate action to support schools in addressing this plague. In this journal issue several articles address various aspects of book banning and provide a broad coverage of pressing issues. CSL has prepared a position statement, Book Challenges and Censorship in Canada’s School Libraries, in support of school library professionals who are on the front lines of these challenges.
“CSL is deeply concerned about the growing number of calls to remove or restrict access to books in school library collections that express LGBTQia2s+ perspectives, represent characters of differing sexual orientations or gender identities, or deal with sexual health, and books where the main characters are people of colour.”
We urge everyone to explore the articles on censorship and book banning in this issue and study the recommendations made in CSL’s position statement. Review your district policies and procedures for dealing with challenged materials and be prepared to take action if need be.
Stand up for freedom to read in the LLC.
Say YES to the LLC
It is time to promote innovation and leadership from the school LLC. This edition of CSL Journal includes several inspiring articles demonstrating excellence in instructional practice and professional leadership which will provide much inspiration. We say YES to the school library learning commons by demonstrating our impact so powerfully.
We can all say yes. Take action now to ensure that you are well positioned to start next school year off with a running start.
- Prepare an annual report to share with your administration and school community. Make sure the report aligns well with school and district goals and highlights the initiatives in the LLC that have contributed to student growth and school wide improvement.
- Use the annual report evidence to set goals for next year.
- Create a short and long term plan that sets doable actions and tracks progress.
- Make an appointment with your administrator that gives you ample time to share the report, new goals and action plans.
- Continue to share happenings from the LLC with your school community through your virtual LLC, newsletters and social media.
- Lead a professional study group in the LLC building on one of the many important topics featured in this journal such as Stop the Hate for Goodness Sake, Confronting Anti-2SLGBTQ+ Hate in Schools, and Teaching Through Books
- Find inspiration in this and past journal publications regarding making, podcasting, creating a human library, addressing the Alpha Generation and so much more.
- Support student choice and Set Your Books Free for the Summer!
Stand up for student learning in the LLC.