Books in HSE Schools: Have You Met Mary in the Library?
How many of us have taken our kids to the library to pick out some picture books or to do research for a school project? How many of us consider a library to be a safe place, a place where there are caring adults working as librarians, library aides and lots of other parents? How many of us allowed our kids to wander off in pursuit of books to read at bedtime at home or to read under their bed covers with a flashlight (Ok, the flashlight on their phones!)? No worries, right? It’s time to rethink that.
Every school in the HSE school district has been found to contain what is considered to be pornographic and obscene books on library shelves that our students of all ages and grades can access and check out. Our Hamilton East Public Library is no different. What can parents do?
Have you met Mary in the Library? Check out her Facebook page where she posts titles of questionable books with excerpts for parents to read and discern for themselves if it’s age appropriate and suitable for their children. Did you find a book you would like to caution other parents about? Post it on Mary in the Library’s page!
Be sure to ask your kids about books they have brought home from the library or that their teachers are talking about. Look in their back packs. Look them up online. Look inside those books and read them. Covers and titles can be deceiving!
Write letters to the HSE School Board members individually to let them know how you feel about the books in our libraries and to ask them to focus on books that emphasize academic excellence and that are age appropriate. Ask them to reply with what they intend to do to protect our children.
NOTE: We are not promoting book burnings or banning books. We are asking for libraries to limit access to books that are not age-appropriate or academically rich. We are asking for our schools to educate, not indoctrinate. Make your voice and opinion heard!