Insist Pine Richland’s School Board to Respect Librarians' Expertise in Book Selection
Insist Pine Richland’s School Board to Respect Librarians' Expertise in Book Selection
The Issue
Growing up in the Pine Richland School District, it has been ingrained in us that every voice matters. Recently, the school board has been displaying a disturbing trend of disregarding student opinions, primarily reflected in their involvement in library book selection. The purpose of this petition is to resist this overreach and place the responsibility of book selection back into the capable hands of our qualified school librarians and administrators.
Our school librarians have both the professional training and practical experience necessary to curate a diverse and relevant book collection suitable for students of all backgrounds and sensibilities. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in their "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" affirms the vital role of school librarians in students' learning, communicating that "Reading is a window to the world" and encouraging librarians to "select and curate books that are reflective of the diversity of its student body".
Our school board’s focus on revising the book policy raises the question: Are educational decisions being made with the best interests of ALL students in mind? Are these decisions reflective of an environment where diverse students' voices are heard, nurtured, and respected?
If our school district truly values the development of well-rounded, free-thinking students, then our school board must withdraw its involvement in deciding what books should be available in the library. As a community, it's time to trust our librarians to make these informed decisions.
Signing this petition means standing up for a student-focused educational environment at Pine Richland School District. It means affirming the essential function of school librarians. It means enabling our students to gain access to a broad, diverse, and meaningful selection of books.
Sign this petition and insist Pine Richland’s School Board respect the critical role of librarians and administrators in book selection and preserve our democratic values of free expression and open access to knowledge.
2,590
The Issue
Growing up in the Pine Richland School District, it has been ingrained in us that every voice matters. Recently, the school board has been displaying a disturbing trend of disregarding student opinions, primarily reflected in their involvement in library book selection. The purpose of this petition is to resist this overreach and place the responsibility of book selection back into the capable hands of our qualified school librarians and administrators.
Our school librarians have both the professional training and practical experience necessary to curate a diverse and relevant book collection suitable for students of all backgrounds and sensibilities. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in their "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" affirms the vital role of school librarians in students' learning, communicating that "Reading is a window to the world" and encouraging librarians to "select and curate books that are reflective of the diversity of its student body".
Our school board’s focus on revising the book policy raises the question: Are educational decisions being made with the best interests of ALL students in mind? Are these decisions reflective of an environment where diverse students' voices are heard, nurtured, and respected?
If our school district truly values the development of well-rounded, free-thinking students, then our school board must withdraw its involvement in deciding what books should be available in the library. As a community, it's time to trust our librarians to make these informed decisions.
Signing this petition means standing up for a student-focused educational environment at Pine Richland School District. It means affirming the essential function of school librarians. It means enabling our students to gain access to a broad, diverse, and meaningful selection of books.
Sign this petition and insist Pine Richland’s School Board respect the critical role of librarians and administrators in book selection and preserve our democratic values of free expression and open access to knowledge.
2,590
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on January 12, 2025