The Camden Central School District continues to receive ongoing community feedback regarding the implementation of its Administrative Regulation entitled “Selection of Library Instructional Materials.”
Given the volume of feedback received, we wanted to take a moment to update you on our progress, and answer some frequently asked questions about this implementation.
If you would like to view the regulation at any time, you may do so here.
Have any books been removed?
Yes. While the regulation was being drafted, our librarians began a comprehensive review of their collections to determine books that may qualify for removal based on depictions of Sexual Intercourse, as defined in the regulation. That definition is hyperlinked in the regulation document available at this link.
Librarians review their collections annually and this year, we chose to conduct it with the new regulation in mind.
Based on that review, a total of 153 books fitting the criteria were removed from shelves in the Camden Middle School and Camden High School libraries. Librarians have the authority to review and remove books as needed.
Have the committees met yet?
As of today, Thursday, May 9th, neither committee has met.
The Book Re-Evaluation Committee can only sit for a meeting following the submission of a “Request for Re-Evaluation of Library Instructional Materials.” form. Since the current regulation took effect on March 1st, no forms have been submitted. A form may be submitted at any time and is available here.
The New Book Purchase Committee is set to meet on an annual basis, and will do so for the first time in the coming weeks once a new budget has been established for book purchases.
Both committees can forward their recommendations to the Board of Education. The Board holds final decision-making authority on each recommendation from those committees.
Who is on the committees?
The Book Re-Evaluation Committee consists of the Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, Director of Instructional Technology and Data, Building Principal, Library Media Specialist, two Faculty Members, one parent/guardian and one member of the Board of Education. The Board of Education member will be selected each year by the Board President. The two faculty members and one parent/guardian will be selected by the respective building principal.
The New Book Purchasing Committee consists of the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Technology and Data, Building Principal, School Librarians, Library Staff Members, and a parent/guardian selected by the respective Building Principal.
We appreciate your ongoing support and partnership as we move forward.