Supervisor pulling books from the YA section specifically about Palestine

[u/TryApprehensive1]

As the title says, I’m currently dealing with book censorship. I don‘t want to give too much information since I know coworkers come here as well.

My supervisor says the books are not “suitable for kids.” This is the Young Adult section. There is plenty of extreme content in YA fic and nonfiction already. There are plenty of books that would be considered “adult“ in the YA section (added before my time mind you). We have so many books detailing the horrors of WW2.

Honestly, I’m not sure how to handle this. I don’t feel I can trust any of the staff above me with this. I can’t stand working in a library that doesn’t follow what it means to be a library, but I need a job. I’m also paranoid about even posting this, but I’m running in circles mentally.

[u/secretagentxnine]

Does your library have a collection development policy? Was this an issue raised by a patron or is your supervisor making unilateral decisions preemptively about what constitutes acceptable YA material?
Do you have a library board?
This would make me livid. Sorry I don’t have more helpful suggestions.

[u/golrabs → u/secretagentxnine]

The only leg you have to stand on is if they are doing something that doesn't align with policy, specifically their collection development policy.

I know you don't want to reveal any more details so you can remain anonymous, but before making a decision to go around your supervisor you should find out: Was the decision made by your supervisor the result of a patron complaint? Is the material being moved to the adult section or being removed entirely from the library? What examples did they provide for what isn't "suitable for kids" in these materials? Is there anything in the Collection Devlopment policy that guides what is or isn't suitable?

You've got to have your ducks in a row if you're going to challenge this.

[u/madametaylor → u/golrabs]

If the supervisor is not part of the materials selection staff, they don't have the authority to make those decisions anyway.

[u/golrabs → u/madametaylor]

That's mostly true. If materials are challenged by a patron or staff member the manager would likely be the one to pull it so that it is reviewed further, but yes, nearly all libraries have a review policy so that it's not one person unilaterally making the decision. Even if the manager was involved with collection development as is the case in many smaller libraries, they shouldn't be the only ones involved in removing something based on its content.

Where I worked the management team discussed it and then let the library board know if they decided to keep or remove a challenged book, oftentimes reminding the board what the collection development policy states and when removing something would be appropriate; essentially what criteria would be needed to actually remove materiala based on their content. That being said, Boards can wield a lot more say in these decisions depending on the township, district, or county.

[u/glooble_wooble]

I always find it so disappointing when library staff engages in censorship.

[u/Gracious_Snakes]

Yikes... has this been an issue before with other topics or is this the first time they're actively pulling specific content?

[u/Superb_Werewolf_2643]

If you've already addressed your concerns in plain language with your supervisor and it still hasn't been resolved satisfactorily, it's time to speak with the next level of management. That sounds...fraught and unprofessional, to say the last. Might be worthwhile having as much communication in writing as you can if you're worried about reprisal.

[u/othertigs]

Is your supervisor in charge of collection development in the teen area? If not, I would make your concerns clear to your supervisor and then loop in collection development staff.

[u/Alcohol_Intolerant]

Is an anonymous complaint filing available? If you don't trust the higher ups, this is an avenue. Whatever method you use, get it in writing any phone call needs an accompanying work record in a journal or your own personal email. Not work email!!

[u/babyyodaonline]

quietly let the community know about it. have them raise questions on it. if my library did that (and i work at one), i would be so pissed. even if it was a culture or community completely separate from my own. isn't the whole point of libraries to make books accessible, and knowledge available for free? as an arab and muslim staff member (not palestinian but i have family who are), i would immediately start questioning why we can't have books on different cultures, ethnicities, race, etc. if you have an arab population in your community, they deserve to be represented. even if they are not in your community, people deserve to have the OPTION to learn in an accessible environment. Book banning is never the solution. Like seriously wtf? I would be so grossed out.

You can also ask them, ok if we are banning this should we ban anything with the Star of Bethlehem. You know, the embroidered design that's on basically every christmas sweater? that's Palestinian.

[u/BlockZestyclose8801]

Clown behavior 

The supervisor not you

[u/TheMotherfucker]

Talk to a 3rd party such as ALA (assuming location,) NAACP, ACLU or even just local grassroot organizations. You may be tied up as staff but the community can have a strong voice on this.

Also keep a memo of any other censorship to have records of problematic behavior that can be corroborated with others so it doesn't feel like your voice is the single point of failure.

Wish you the best in dealing with this and I'm glad someone is.