503 Module 2 Censorship

This is an interesting issue. Have found the articles in this module varied and pertinent. Also absorbing the ALIA, ASLA/ALIA, IASL, IFLA/UNESCO statements, rights, policies etc. is particularly important as the issue is critical all the more in this century given that the public can post electronically their opinion on anything, for all to see. Who can tell what is of value, factual, reasoned, apt?

An interesting situation arose three years ago in my primary school, when a teacher demanded that a book be removed from the Library - handed it to the Occupational Health and Safety committee and told them to look at it and make up their minds. The book was about how a child comes into this world - sex, pregnancy, birth, infancy, childhood, teens etc., illustrated in cartoon style, big print, written for primary age children and been reprinted 20 times or so.
The problem - a child had borrowed the book, taken it back to the classroom and the teacher had witnessed a heated disagreement between said child and another about the content - they were looking at the nude pictures of the parents. Grade level 2.

Committee deliberated and decided that the book should not be removed, it was of value and that perhaps the teacher should have discussed the matter with the students instead of blaming the book.

Most recent situation arose last week when a delivery of newspapers was not distributed to the classrooms (two per class and two to the Library)because the teacher in charge of the distribution, decided that the headline on the cover was not appropriate - Northern Territory News - "Stabbed in back while having sex...and that's why I'm such a bad driver". Tuesday papers are delivered when Classmate is published - Classmate is of value and provides good information on various topics. But the headline of the paper on that day, caused concern.

I am unsure of the course of action taken. The article could have been of use with reference to how news is reported in the only daily news paper in the NT. The head line was clearly sensational and the article was about a man being charged for driving offences.

Should the book and the newspaper have been censored? At this point I guess it depends on how the decision is made - on the spur of the moment or after considered and careful reflection.

Blog 503 Module 1 collection management policy

There does not appear to be one at my work place and no-one seems to know what I am talking about.
Have felt that for the last 3 or 4 years, since I have been part of the Literacy committee, there has been difficult in choosing relevant resources to support the curriculum. All resources have been print (book form). Although there are many IWBs, there has been a lack of purchase of material to use theron. The answer from principal is Oh you will find resources on the internet - which may be true but it takes to time to find suitable, useful and relevant ones - sometimes the published ones are much better. Also general, belief that teachers will create their own - again time and possibly quality and can they be shared? No-one to lead the process - no librarian of any description or qualification for 10 years.

Purchases for library and teacher resources is done on the basis of budget. Contstraints here - if you have $1,000 - well let's spend it regardless of what we are actually buying.

Needs to be much more input of staff - collaboration to decide what curriculum areas need to be supported and how this can best be done - that is what sort of resources would best suit the purpose - indeed what is the purpose?

Have spoken to a couple of teachers and said we need input from all levels of school - primary - and from those keenly interested in different areas of curriuclum so that the most experienced and knowledgeable can help.