Questions & Answers
Are there pornography books in WCPS libraries?
UPDATED 4/27/24
After a lively discussion at a community election event and several online forum exchanges about “pornography in school libraries”, I want to share my thoughts in writing to be as clear as possible.
The following are my thoughts as an individual board of education member and a candidate for re-election. I have included links to WCPS online resources.
Are there pornography books in WCPS libraries?
The most common definitions of pornography are similar to this one from Merriam Webster: the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement.
Based on this definition, to my knowledge there are no pornography books in WCPS libraries.
Books that have been quoted at board of education meetings (as of April 2024) and labelled as pornography do not meet this definition. None of those books were written with the express intent to cause sexual excitement.
There are some books in some school library collections with varying degrees of sexual content, some fiction, and some nonfiction. But that does not make them pornography.
Why does it matter what the books are called?
‘Pornography’ is one of those words that paints a vivid negative image and is guaranteed to stir an emotional response. Using that word to describe books in WCPS libraries unfairly tarnishes the entire school system. Some people use that term just for that reason. Some people use it for political reasons. That’s why, in the answer to the first question, I use the Merriam Webster definition to distinguish between books with sexual content and books whose entire purpose is to “cause sexual excitement.”
When looked at in their entirety, the intent of the books excerpted is clearly NOT to “cause sexual excitement.” That doesn’t mean they should not be objected to; it just means they should not be painted with the broad-brush label of ‘pornography.’
What about the books a parent quoted at the November 1, 2022, BOE meeting?
As of April 25, 2024, based on my search of the WCPS library catalog, a single copy of the first book (All Boys Aren’t Blue) is available in four high school libraries. A single copy of the second quoted book (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) is available in three high school libraries. The third book (Sex: A Book for Teens: An Uncensored Guide to Your Body, Sex, and Safety) is not available in any WCPS school library.
How do books get selected for school libraries?
Books are selected for school libraries based on many considerations including favorable reviews from respected professional resources. To my knowledge, every title that has been publicly flagged as pornography has multiple favorable reviews and recommendations. Librarians cannot read every book selected for purchase and rely on those reviews.
For more information about the selection process go to Collection Development Procedures - WCPS Department of Library Media Programs LibGuide - LibGuides at Washington County Public Schools
What if someone believes a book is inappropriate for a school library?
If anyone thinks that a book is too explicit or is inappropriate for any reason, WCPS has a procedure in place to challenge those books and begin a reconsideration process to re-evaluate the inclusion of that title in a school’s library collection.
There are nonfiction and fiction books about all kinds of subjects in school libraries and an individual may find a book objectionable for all kinds of reasons, such as subject matter, language, religion, point of view, age appropriateness, and yes, degree of sexual content, just to name a few. The fact that a book is objected to does not mean it should be automatically removed from a library. If that were the case, books from Harry Potter to the Bible would be gone from the shelves.
WCPS’s reconsideration procedure is a form of due process to protect ALL books in a school’s library collection from unwarranted removal. There may be books in a library that should be moved to a different grade level or even removed completely. The formal procedure will achieve that.
I believe parents have the right to monitor and control what their child checks out from the school library. I believe parents talking with their child about what they read is the best way to do that. School libraries also have ways to help parents monitor and control what their child checks out. Parents do not have the right to control what other children check out and read.
For more information about how you can work with your school library to monitor and control your child’s library selections and to learn about the reconsideration process go to Collection Development Procedures - WCPS Department of Library Media Programs LibGuide - LibGuides at Washington County Public Schools
Should a board member resign, be condemned, or censured over statements made about controversial books?
During my time on the board, I’ve twice experienced sitting board members whose statements led to their leaving the board. One was formally removed by the State Board of Education. I was president of the county board at the time and presented the case for removal in Annapolis. The other voluntarily resigned after much discussion and reflection. I know what the bar is for removal from the board and I’m not afraid to take action when it’s appropriate.
Mr. Stouffer expressed his opinion and nothing he said rises to the level of requiring resignation, condemnation, or censure.
In conclusion…
Reading an excerpt and labeling a book pornographic at a public meeting, although dramatic and sometimes politically motivated, does not override the established procedure for challenging a book. Concerned citizens should follow the process in place for challenging the specific title found objectionable. The duty of a board member is to be sure an impartial procedure is in place to address any concerns.
The recently enacted “Freedom to Read Act” requires that school systems in Maryland have a policy and follow procedures to review objections to materials in a school library. I believe the WCPS procedure currently in place meets the spirit of the Act. However, when new education laws are enacted, local policies and procedures often need to be updated to meet the format and requirements of the law. I’m confident the Washington County Board of Education stands ready to do that.
If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me at 301-824-5122 or email [email protected].
After a lively discussion at a community election event and several online forum exchanges about “pornography in school libraries”, I want to share my thoughts in writing to be as clear as possible.
The following are my thoughts as an individual board of education member and a candidate for re-election. I have included links to WCPS online resources.
Are there pornography books in WCPS libraries?
The most common definitions of pornography are similar to this one from Merriam Webster: the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement.
Based on this definition, to my knowledge there are no pornography books in WCPS libraries.
Books that have been quoted at board of education meetings (as of April 2024) and labelled as pornography do not meet this definition. None of those books were written with the express intent to cause sexual excitement.
There are some books in some school library collections with varying degrees of sexual content, some fiction, and some nonfiction. But that does not make them pornography.
Why does it matter what the books are called?
‘Pornography’ is one of those words that paints a vivid negative image and is guaranteed to stir an emotional response. Using that word to describe books in WCPS libraries unfairly tarnishes the entire school system. Some people use that term just for that reason. Some people use it for political reasons. That’s why, in the answer to the first question, I use the Merriam Webster definition to distinguish between books with sexual content and books whose entire purpose is to “cause sexual excitement.”
When looked at in their entirety, the intent of the books excerpted is clearly NOT to “cause sexual excitement.” That doesn’t mean they should not be objected to; it just means they should not be painted with the broad-brush label of ‘pornography.’
What about the books a parent quoted at the November 1, 2022, BOE meeting?
As of April 25, 2024, based on my search of the WCPS library catalog, a single copy of the first book (All Boys Aren’t Blue) is available in four high school libraries. A single copy of the second quoted book (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) is available in three high school libraries. The third book (Sex: A Book for Teens: An Uncensored Guide to Your Body, Sex, and Safety) is not available in any WCPS school library.
How do books get selected for school libraries?
Books are selected for school libraries based on many considerations including favorable reviews from respected professional resources. To my knowledge, every title that has been publicly flagged as pornography has multiple favorable reviews and recommendations. Librarians cannot read every book selected for purchase and rely on those reviews.
For more information about the selection process go to Collection Development Procedures - WCPS Department of Library Media Programs LibGuide - LibGuides at Washington County Public Schools
What if someone believes a book is inappropriate for a school library?
If anyone thinks that a book is too explicit or is inappropriate for any reason, WCPS has a procedure in place to challenge those books and begin a reconsideration process to re-evaluate the inclusion of that title in a school’s library collection.
There are nonfiction and fiction books about all kinds of subjects in school libraries and an individual may find a book objectionable for all kinds of reasons, such as subject matter, language, religion, point of view, age appropriateness, and yes, degree of sexual content, just to name a few. The fact that a book is objected to does not mean it should be automatically removed from a library. If that were the case, books from Harry Potter to the Bible would be gone from the shelves.
WCPS’s reconsideration procedure is a form of due process to protect ALL books in a school’s library collection from unwarranted removal. There may be books in a library that should be moved to a different grade level or even removed completely. The formal procedure will achieve that.
I believe parents have the right to monitor and control what their child checks out from the school library. I believe parents talking with their child about what they read is the best way to do that. School libraries also have ways to help parents monitor and control what their child checks out. Parents do not have the right to control what other children check out and read.
For more information about how you can work with your school library to monitor and control your child’s library selections and to learn about the reconsideration process go to Collection Development Procedures - WCPS Department of Library Media Programs LibGuide - LibGuides at Washington County Public Schools
Should a board member resign, be condemned, or censured over statements made about controversial books?
During my time on the board, I’ve twice experienced sitting board members whose statements led to their leaving the board. One was formally removed by the State Board of Education. I was president of the county board at the time and presented the case for removal in Annapolis. The other voluntarily resigned after much discussion and reflection. I know what the bar is for removal from the board and I’m not afraid to take action when it’s appropriate.
Mr. Stouffer expressed his opinion and nothing he said rises to the level of requiring resignation, condemnation, or censure.
In conclusion…
Reading an excerpt and labeling a book pornographic at a public meeting, although dramatic and sometimes politically motivated, does not override the established procedure for challenging a book. Concerned citizens should follow the process in place for challenging the specific title found objectionable. The duty of a board member is to be sure an impartial procedure is in place to address any concerns.
The recently enacted “Freedom to Read Act” requires that school systems in Maryland have a policy and follow procedures to review objections to materials in a school library. I believe the WCPS procedure currently in place meets the spirit of the Act. However, when new education laws are enacted, local policies and procedures often need to be updated to meet the format and requirements of the law. I’m confident the Washington County Board of Education stands ready to do that.
If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call me at 301-824-5122 or email [email protected].
electMelissaWilliams.com
Committee to Elect Melissa Williams : Kelli Albright, Treasurer
Committee to Elect Melissa Williams : Kelli Albright, Treasurer