Good Afternoon,
WSDLC members are not immune to challenges involving their print and digital collections. This aligns with an upward trend seen nationwide in school districts. In spite of the increase in challenges, the majority of parents support Library Media Specialists.
When challenges happen, they often happen very quickly and are promoted through social media. Thankfully, there is a wealth of resources to provide support and guidance to WSDLC members.
WSDLC Collection Resources available on the WSDLC website, include the WSDLC Collection Development Policy, a Reconsideration Form, and the WSDLC Board’s Statement on Collections
There are a multitude of resources and direct contacts from other Wisconsin organizations that are gathered together in the WEMTA Roadmap to Intellectual Freedom, created by WEMTA Director Meegan Archambo This resource provides a visual guide of organizations and people to reach out to for questions about policies and how to receive support during the process of challenges.
The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) and Monica Treptow, WI DPI School Media Consultant, are our recommendations for your first stops for questions and information. The ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom also offers Challenge Support and encourages the anonymous reporting of Censorship.
In addition to these support resources, you may be interested in the data collected by Dr. Tasslyn Magnusson on bans and challenges since Oct 2021: https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/book_censorship_database_magnusson
PEN America (an organization dedicated to supporting the freedom to write and read consists of more than 7,500 novelists, journalists, nonfiction writers, editors, poets, essayists, playwrights, publishers, translators, agents, and other writing professionals, as well as devoted readers and supporters) provides statistics and support that are both informative and empowering.
The WSDLC Board, Selection Advisory Committee, and WSDLC Project Managers are here to support members. Please reach out to us at wsdlc-info@wils.org.
Thank you,
The WSDLC Project Managers
