[LIBRARYDIR] [EXTERNAL] Controversial Book Request-your thoughts?

[Amy Kelly]

Hi,

This is a tough one!

I wouldn’t buy this book for our collection for several reasons:

·         It doesn’t support our curriculum

·         It hasn’t been peer-reviewed or fact-checked because it’s self-published through Houndstooth Press

·         We have a hold on purchasing through the pandemic and until our budget stabilizes, unless a book is directly requested by a faculty member and will be used widely as a resource for several quarters


If your library has the Opposing Viewpoints database, direct her to that. If she’s looking for a resource for a college project, then offer to help her by giving her a list of potential alternatives you could add to your collection. There are thoughtful conservative presses, publications, and articles that abound.

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Watkins, Candice via LIBRARYDIR
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2021 2:49 PM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Cc: Watkins, Candice <cwatkins at tacomacc.edu>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] [EXTERNAL] Controversial Book Request-your thoughts?

That's a tough one, Jackie! Wow. I'll venture my perspective here.

Like you mentioned, it would be easy to deny this acquisition if you base it on your collection development policy which no doubt primarily supports the curriculum and probably doesn't prioritize biographies.

That said, does your library have works that offer the other perspective? If so, then she has a legitimate request. I also see that two public library systems in WA have this title (King and Sno Isle). Perhaps that's because public libraries invest more in biographies, but I do think it's interesting that this book is about her experience in higher ed and no academic libraries carry it. Freedom of speech, censorship, academic freedom...these are weighty and important topics for all of us in higher ed right now. Do we only purchase the books that speak to one side of the topic?

I know there are many, many arguments against this purchase, but I don't think it's an automatic 'no.' At least, not for me.

Just brainstorming here!
Candice




________________________________
From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> on behalf of Jacquelyn Ray via LIBRARYDIR <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2021 2:25 PM
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Subject: [EXTERNAL] [LIBRARYDIR] Controversial Book Request-your thoughts?

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Hi all~

     I received a request from a student for the biography below which appears to a narrative of the subject's experience with they felt was oppression of their conservative views on college campuses.   This student wants this particular title as she want to start a "Turning Point USA" political activism group on campus.

I was just crafting my response to this student (fyi, I was going to deny the request and offer alternatives more in line with our collection policy) but wanted to check in with the brain trust on your thoughts, if you have run into something similar, etc.  A quick search in worldcat shows that not a single college owns this title and it came out in February.


Frontlines: finding my voice on an American college campus <https://www.amazon.com/Frontlines-Finding-American-College-Campus/dp/1544519303/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37IFHFG26XH8J&dchild=1&keywords=frontlines+isabel+brown&qid=1629752433&sprefix=frontlines%2Caps%2C275&sr=8-1> by Isabel Brown


Thanks for your thoughts!
Jackie


​Jacquelyn Ray, MLIS, MA | Library Director | she/her
Walla Walla Community College
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