Stephanie Vanos- Orange District 6
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.
The media center and media specialist are both critical to the overall success of a school in a number of ways. First, the media center and media specialist provide a wealth of educational opportunities that go beyond the normal state approved curriculum. Where a student may not see themselves reflected in classwork, it is critical that there is a place that they can go to read books that are relevant to them. Media centers also provide a window to the world that students may use to spark their imagination. Media specialists are trained to determine which books will best serve students and belong in the school library, and we should trust them to do their job. Media specialists and librarians often have a special relationship with students, particularly in elementary school. It is a place where students take a break from the classroom schedule and experience reading for pure enjoyment with the help and guidance of a media specialist. My daughters’ favorite part of the day in elementary school was listening to Ms. Spicer read them a book in the library. In middle school, they sought out the library as a safe place to go once classwork was finished and during lunch when they could recharge in a quiet place reading a good book.
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?
Students should have unfettered access to library materials, as they are curated to be age appropriate and inclusive by highly trained media specialists. Parents have always had the right to opt their student out of books and other materials that they do not want their student to read, but they do not have the right to restrict access to materials for other students.
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?
Reading material in a captive classroom is approved by the state and school district and may have more restrictive standards on content. Parents infrequently ask for their students to opt out of novel studies and most students enjoy learning in this manner. If a parent does request their student to be opted out, educators can always substitute an appropriate assignment as an alternative. Reading material that is part of a student’s self-selection in a library also has standards that are applied by a highly qualified and trained media specialist. This material is much more diverse and students reading ahead of grade level should be able to access books rated for a higher grade level. Parents have always been able to opt out their students on topics they find inappropriate. As stated above, no parent has the right to opt out another parent’s students from reading material acceptable to that parent.
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.
First, I would advocate for the repeal of this law. Second, I would not deny a parent the right to read passages, thereby triggering the law. I would also work to try to convince my fellow school board members to avoid triggering the law as well. Finally, if a book is removed because of this law, I would work to have the book reviewed for its literary value and have it reinstated based on a comprehensive review of the entire book.
The media center and media specialist are both critical to the overall success of a school in a number of ways. First, the media center and media specialist provide a wealth of educational opportunities that go beyond the normal state approved curriculum. Where a student may not see themselves reflected in classwork, it is critical that there is a place that they can go to read books that are relevant to them. Media centers also provide a window to the world that students may use to spark their imagination. Media specialists are trained to determine which books will best serve students and belong in the school library, and we should trust them to do their job. Media specialists and librarians often have a special relationship with students, particularly in elementary school. It is a place where students take a break from the classroom schedule and experience reading for pure enjoyment with the help and guidance of a media specialist. My daughters’ favorite part of the day in elementary school was listening to Ms. Spicer read them a book in the library. In middle school, they sought out the library as a safe place to go once classwork was finished and during lunch when they could recharge in a quiet place reading a good book.
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?
Students should have unfettered access to library materials, as they are curated to be age appropriate and inclusive by highly trained media specialists. Parents have always had the right to opt their student out of books and other materials that they do not want their student to read, but they do not have the right to restrict access to materials for other students.
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?
Reading material in a captive classroom is approved by the state and school district and may have more restrictive standards on content. Parents infrequently ask for their students to opt out of novel studies and most students enjoy learning in this manner. If a parent does request their student to be opted out, educators can always substitute an appropriate assignment as an alternative. Reading material that is part of a student’s self-selection in a library also has standards that are applied by a highly qualified and trained media specialist. This material is much more diverse and students reading ahead of grade level should be able to access books rated for a higher grade level. Parents have always been able to opt out their students on topics they find inappropriate. As stated above, no parent has the right to opt out another parent’s students from reading material acceptable to that parent.
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.
First, I would advocate for the repeal of this law. Second, I would not deny a parent the right to read passages, thereby triggering the law. I would also work to try to convince my fellow school board members to avoid triggering the law as well. Finally, if a book is removed because of this law, I would work to have the book reviewed for its literary value and have it reinstated based on a comprehensive review of the entire book.