2017 Concern- Ability to search "LGBTQ" challenges on AASL website and overall awareness of challenge/censorship/intellectual freedom resources available from AASL/ALA
Concern: Of ALA’s Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2015, four of the titles dealt with LGBTQ issues. With the current political climate and decisions being made about meeting the needs of LGBTQ citizens, school libraries need support in providing materials for all students and defending their collections against those who feel that LGBTQ titles are inappropriate for school populations.
Action Requested: Region 2 requests that the AASL Board of Directors take action to clarify and publicize resources and procedures for addressing challenges related to censorship and patron privacy issues.
Status: The AASL Emerging Leaders project this year is Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ materials in School Libraries. The project will provide a resource guide for school librarians in defending intellectual freedom issues in their schools and districts. This guide will be published on the AASL website and available to all professionals. The end product may include:
- A narrative summary introduction of the intellectual freedom issues researched to assemble this resource guide for LGBTQ.
- A webliography of research, resources, procedures, strategies, and successes for defending collection and privacy challenges for students, including LGBTQ-related issues.
- An infographic to help raise awareness of intellectual freedom concerns, AASL Standards alignments, and available resources.
- Other helpful resources
