James "Jim"Hughes- Clay District 2
1. Please share your thoughts related to the importance of the school library/media center and the role of a certified, trained librarian/media specialist in schools.
Certified, trained librarians/media specialists are an essential part of our students education. One of my desired goals is to be able to increase recreational reading skills among all students (my master's thesis). Media specialists are vitally important for a student's learning of research skill, assisting students in the selection of appropriate reading materials (age, content, reading ability) and to me, most importantly, their encouragement to read.
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
Books should be available for students to read. If a parent desires that their child not have access to certain book titles, then that desire should be granted (rights parents already have). Just because an individual or parent has a moral objection to a specific book, does not mean that book should be removed from circulation. I believe that guarantee is in our first amendment. Students need a variety of literature genres so that they can increase their learning about cultures, civilizations, and societies, both past and present. They need the opportunity to "get lost in a book" simply for their own enjoyment.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
Titles in a captive classroom are required by the curriculum. They should remain part of that curriculum. If parents object due to religious beliefs, an optional alternative should be researched. Self-selection (recreational ) books should be guided by the media specialist to make sure content, reading level, and interest, are appropriate for that individual student.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
Here in Clay County, we have removed quite a few books from our library shelves. If books contain sexually explicit language, I believe they should be reviewed. I have no objections to parents or an individual reading a questionable passage during a board meeting. The passage should be 100 words or less and be limited to one excerpt, so the reader needs to identify the passage most objectionable. My belief once again is that parents have the right to request their child not check out specific book titles. If the board refuses to let a parent/individual read aloud the passage, then the board is forced to follow the guideline of House bill 1069.
Certified, trained librarians/media specialists are an essential part of our students education. One of my desired goals is to be able to increase recreational reading skills among all students (my master's thesis). Media specialists are vitally important for a student's learning of research skill, assisting students in the selection of appropriate reading materials (age, content, reading ability) and to me, most importantly, their encouragement to read.
2. Florida school libraries/media centers have always supported parents' rights to direct their students' education. How would you balance parental rights and student access to library materials, especially given that some books trigger different reactions among parents, all of whom deserve rights?
Books should be available for students to read. If a parent desires that their child not have access to certain book titles, then that desire should be granted (rights parents already have). Just because an individual or parent has a moral objection to a specific book, does not mean that book should be removed from circulation. I believe that guarantee is in our first amendment. Students need a variety of literature genres so that they can increase their learning about cultures, civilizations, and societies, both past and present. They need the opportunity to "get lost in a book" simply for their own enjoyment.
3. Students have access to reading material through captive classroom instruction, read-alouds and novel studies, as well as through self-selection in libraries where they choose their own book. How would you differentiate between the appropriateness of reading material in a captive classroom vs. self-selection in the school library?
Titles in a captive classroom are required by the curriculum. They should remain part of that curriculum. If parents object due to religious beliefs, an optional alternative should be researched. Self-selection (recreational ) books should be guided by the media specialist to make sure content, reading level, and interest, are appropriate for that individual student.
4. As written in Florida House Bill 1069, “Parents shall have the right to read passages from any material that is subject to an objection. If the school board denies a parent the right to read passages due to content" deemed unsuitable as defined in the bill, the school district must discontinue use of the material. If a reader is denied, explain why you would interpret the law by supporting or opposing a fair and public review of the book, as outlined in each district's objection policy.
Here in Clay County, we have removed quite a few books from our library shelves. If books contain sexually explicit language, I believe they should be reviewed. I have no objections to parents or an individual reading a questionable passage during a board meeting. The passage should be 100 words or less and be limited to one excerpt, so the reader needs to identify the passage most objectionable. My belief once again is that parents have the right to request their child not check out specific book titles. If the board refuses to let a parent/individual read aloud the passage, then the board is forced to follow the guideline of House bill 1069.