Melisa W Giovannelli- Lee 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.
As a School Board Member, I have firsthand experience and believe that the reason why our media centers have some inappropriate literature is because for several years these positions has been eliminated or outsourced by someone that does not have the certification and experience needed to make sure that we have literature that has literary value and age appropriate. Those resources have been diverted to other areas. You need a media specialist making sure students has access to books that their parent has approved and that it is appropriate for students under the age of 18.
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?
I support parental rights. Parents have the power. Lee County has taken care of that situation, and we have a Media Access Form that allows parents to decide what their child can and cannot check out of the library. This is something that I am very proud of and support. If the parent choses to not make the selection on the Media Access Form, then it automatically defaults that the student cannot check out any “challenged” books even if the book was found to have literary value. There is a list of books that has been challenged.
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?
I would not differentiate; the parent would need to be made aware and give approval their child could participate, and the parent would need to be advised of the curriculum. A parent has the absolute right.
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.
I would totally support the removal and review. Lee County has a book challenge policy and process regarding this situation.
As a School Board Member, I have firsthand experience and believe that the reason why our media centers have some inappropriate literature is because for several years these positions has been eliminated or outsourced by someone that does not have the certification and experience needed to make sure that we have literature that has literary value and age appropriate. Those resources have been diverted to other areas. You need a media specialist making sure students has access to books that their parent has approved and that it is appropriate for students under the age of 18.
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?
I support parental rights. Parents have the power. Lee County has taken care of that situation, and we have a Media Access Form that allows parents to decide what their child can and cannot check out of the library. This is something that I am very proud of and support. If the parent choses to not make the selection on the Media Access Form, then it automatically defaults that the student cannot check out any “challenged” books even if the book was found to have literary value. There is a list of books that has been challenged.
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?
I would not differentiate; the parent would need to be made aware and give approval their child could participate, and the parent would need to be advised of the curriculum. A parent has the absolute right.
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.
I would totally support the removal and review. Lee County has a book challenge policy and process regarding this situation.