A School’s Library is “Only as Good” as the Person Ordering the Books

Lately there has been much talk on which books are or aren’t appropriate to have in school libraries—sometimes even those in the teacher’s personal library within the classroom. (For those of you who may not realize, most elementary teachers have bookshelves of books in their classroom that the children can borrow from).

I’ve seen the clips of the school board meetings with irate parents reading excerpts of books that have caused quite a stir!

Some people believe it only happens in “that city” or “that state” or “that school system.” If I were to put a map to all of the instances that have been documented, I would say it would permeate across the map of our nation’s schools. WHY? Culture. What affects us as a culture is accessible to us all: social media influencers, tv shows and movies, and recording artists.

Well, books have always been controversial to one degree or another. I remember when I was researching a topic in high school my preacher loaned me a fairly detailed book that dropped some shocking truths I had never been aware of (we did not have internet in my home to look up anything and everything). Had my parents not been aware that he loaned me that book and that I was researching that controversial topic, they’d probably been shocked or displeased that he loaned me that book. It would have felt like someone had gone behind their back to share inappropriate things with their child.

What each of us determine as appropriate or inappropriate will vary. I have friends who not only want to avoid any sexualization of their children but who also want to avoid any books with magic in the storyline. I respect that they have conviction with which they use to filter choices for their children. I don’t understand how they could filter that if their child is enrolled in ANY school, however. I suppose they must have a degree of trust in the institution and in the individuals working there (even if they don’t personally know all of them). They send their child safely assuming he or she will not pick up a book or even have a book handed to them with said material in it.

I am not saying that parents cannot be more involved both in their community libraries or their child’s school. If anything, I believe more involvement is beneficial since teachers for years have been needing parents to be more responsive to their child’s education.

What I want you to understand is there will be a never-ending list of books that you do NOT want your child to have access to. Each year, more are written, published and purchased by librarians and teachers across the country.

What more people need to understand is that as parents they might not have the same worldview or the same outlook on what is or is not appropriate for a child. To put your child in daily responsibility of another whose worldview does not align with your own is to run the risk of your child being exposed to ideas that you do not approve of.

So, what are parents to do?

Guard your children and what they read and hear and watch. If you want to expose them to ideas that are not in line with your worldview, then you should be the one to do it—not someone who is going to be a promotor of those ideas. (Sadly, this is the case in many of the aforementioned school board meeting instances.)

When your child is not with you, be sure they are with someone who you not only trust but have solid evidence to trust. How well do you know the person? Do you know that person’s worldview? Believe me when I say that a person’s worldview will affect the books in the classroom and the library. It will also affect classroom discussions. You would thoroughly vet anyone babysitting your precious child. Why not investigate your child’s school, church and authority figures (teachers, coaches) just as much?

I believe there were days in past generations where it was mostly safely assumed that teachers held to the same general views as many parents and the rest of the country. Those days are no more. There is a divide. As a parent, you are to be held accountable for those you allow to come in contact with and influence your child.

When you are not there, you really can’t know the discussions that take place nor the books or excerpts from books that are read. Your choice then is to move your child to a school that aligns with your worldview (and still vet those teachers) or teach your child at home (which is increasingly becoming more popular and accepted).

For my family, we chose to make the decision to homeschool. One would think I would be staunchly devoted to traditional school education having taught for 12 years and having grown up in the home of a teacher and teacher’s aide. School was like a second home for me. I have never doubted the help that my parents gave to many children with whom they worked. I am proud of them. I know their work was positive and not in vain (as is the case with my good people who teach). We cannot blindly assume all people are this way—especially nowadays.

To be clear, I DO teach my children about different ideas (as I would advise any parent to do). I just don’t allow promoters of those ideas to influence my children.

As our culture changes, parents are realizing that they are not able to always assume that their child’s teacher, coach, or principal will be on the same page regarding their beliefs or outlook on life.

Do you have an experience to share regarding books in the classroom or library? Please leave a comment below and share this blog post with a friend.

If you are interested in trying out homeschool, check out my free guide Survival Guide for the New Homeschool Family.

For more information about homeschooling, watch my YouTube playlist.

You are your child’s most influential teacher.