Spring 2007 - YALSA - American Library Association

Just Open the DoorResourcesAtkins, Robert, and Svetlana Mintcheva,eds. Censoring Culture: ContemporaryThreats to Free Expression. TheNew Press, 2006; ISBN-13: 978-1595580504; $19.95.This thought-provoking collectionof essays on censorship contains anentire section on protecting childrenand explores the way in whichcensoring materials meant for childrensays much more about the adultsinvolved than the children they meanto be protecting. In “Taboos, Trust,and Titillation,” a reprinted roundtablediscussion among high schoolersreminds us, among other things, thatcensorship is insidious. One studentrecounts an experience with schoolInternet filters preventing research onthe Titanic disaster because “Titanic”contains the word “tit.”Foerstel, Herbert N. Banned in theU.S.A.: A Reference Guide to BookCensorship in Schools and PublicLibraries, Revised and ExpandedEdition. Greenwood, 2002; ISBN-13:978-0313311666; $59.95.This is an all-in-one reference bookfor all audiences and includes bannedand challenged books both in thepublic setting and in school libraries.Chapters include the court casesused in our mock trials, as well asinterviews with authors of banned andchallenged books.Persall, Steve. “A New Class of TeenMovie,” St. Petersburg Times 1D(Sept. 12, 2003), available at http://tinyurl.com/d74ff (accessed Jan. 30,2007).This article dives head-first intothe concept of judging movies fortheir overall message in light ofcontemporary teen concerns, ratherthan isolating and excising contentin order to hew to industry ratingstrends. For instance, one ideacontained in this article is that anotherrating, such as Y for youth, wouldidentify films containing material thatmight make older viewers squeamish,but is important for teenagers sortingout their lives.Want to start your own discussionabout banned books? The handoutsI developed for the classroom can befound at www.jocolibrary.org/files2/SupremeCourtSummary.pdf and www.jocolibrary.org/files2/righttoread.pdf.References1. Tinker v. Des Moines School Dist., 393 U.S.503 (1969); Board of Education v. Pico, 457U.S. 853 (1982); Hazelwood School Districtv. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).2. “Kansas Student Publications Act” StudentPress Law Center, www.splc.org/law_library.asp?id=9 (accessed Feb. 21,2007).3. Michael Willhoite, Daddy’s Roommate(New York: Alyson Books, 1991); HerbertN. Foerstel, Banned in the U.S.A.: A ReferenceGuide to Book Censorship in Schoolsand Public Libraries (Westport, Conn.:Greenwood, 2002).4. Robert Cormier, We All Fall Down (NewYork: Laurel Leaf, 1993).Looking for Ways to Get More Involved in YALSA?●●●●●●Go to www.ala.org/yalsa, click on “About YALSA” and then “ways to participate in YALSA.” Read through the list of ways youcan get involved and choose one (or more) that appeal to you.Contact the YALSA Office at yalsa@ala.org or 1.800.545.2433. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.Go to “YALSA 101” at the ALA Annual Conference on Friday, June 22, from 4 to 5 p.m.Have you checked out the committees and other member groups but don’t see a home for yourself? Then start a new YALSAInterest or Discussion Group! Find out how by going to www.ala.org/yalsa and clicking on “Governance.”Run for office! In 2008 YALSA will be voting for a new President-Elect, three new Board Members, a Fiscal Officer, 2009 PrintzCommittee Members, 2009 Edwards Committee Members, and more. Contact Jessica Mize, Nominating Committee Chair, atjamyalsa@gmail.com for more information.Talk to a Board Member or Committee Chair to find out more about specific committees and other member groups. Go towww.ala.org/yalsa and click on “Governance” for e-mail addresses.12 YALS | Young Adult Library Services | Spring 2007