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

Mon Aug 23 15:12:08 PDT 2021

Hi, Jackie –

Thanks for sharing this conundrum, for some collective reflection!  I appreciate Candice’s thoughts below (and everyone else’s, of course!)  If you wanted to consider adding this book to your collection, I wonder if you might find another book with a different student perspective on campus diversity to add at the same time?

That said, if I were in your shoes I would be inclined to help her make an ILL request for this book.  That way, I could be clear about the collection policy while still supporting her access to information.  (Perhaps easier at a technical college than at a community college, given our collection focus?)  :-)

It looks like Sno-Isle has a couple of print copies of this book.  (KCLS has the eBook).  It’s currently in their New collection, so who knows if they’ll lend it through ILL just yet.  But at least you can support this student by making the request.

Looking forward to further thoughts (and to hearing about the path you choose!)

peace,
Deb

Deb Derylak, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Learning Resource Center Coordinator

[Wide-Column Signature with Graphic]
Building 15 Room 113M • 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW • Lakewood WA 98499 • T: 253-589-<tel:253.000.0000>5730
deborah.derylak at cptc.edu<mailto:deborah.derylak at cptc.edu> • cptc.edu<https://www.cptc.edu/> • twitter.com/CloverParkTech<https://twitter.com/CloverParkTech> • facebook.com/CloverParkTech<https://www.facebook.com/CloverParkTech>
Excellence. Experience. Employment. Redefine education at Clover Park Technical College.

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Amy Kelly via LIBRARYDIR
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2021 3:03 PM
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>
Cc: Amy Kelly <akelly1 at spscc.edu>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] [EXTERNAL] Controversial Book Request-your thoughts?

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<mailto: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<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Cc: Watkins, Candice <cwatkins at tacomacc.edu<mailto: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
To: WACTC Library Directors <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>>
Cc: Jacquelyn Ray <jacquelyn.ray at wwcc.edu<mailto:jacquelyn.ray at wwcc.edu>>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [LIBRARYDIR] Controversial Book Request-your thoughts?

CAUTION: This email originated from outside Tacoma Community College. Do not click links or open attachments unless you validate the sender and know the content is safe. If you are unsure, contact the IT Help Desk at x4357 (253-460-4357) or email support at tacomacc.edu.<mailto:support at tacomacc.edu>

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
Need help evenings or weekends? Try our 24/7 Ask-a-Librarian Chat Service!<https://askwa.libanswers.com/widget_chat.php?hash=d266f8c192e1c15230f3b8f764dcead2>

Hope, as an ontological need, demands an anchoring in practice.
We need critical hope the way a fish needs unpolluted water.
(Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of Hope)

<https://askwa.libanswers.com/widget_chat.php?hash=d266f8c192e1c15230f3b8f764dcead2>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ctc.edu/pipermail/librarydir_lists.ctc.edu/attachments/20210823/cef5c36a/attachment-0002.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 19005 bytes
Desc: image001.png
URL: <http://lists.ctc.edu/pipermail/librarydir_lists.ctc.edu/attachments/20210823/cef5c36a/attachment-0002.png>