With books being a point of contention within our schools Brittany plans on implementing a system where parents get to choose what books their children are able to read., removing the need for teachers, other parents, or school boards to decide what our children are able to read.
Initial/ External Vetting System for our School Districts:
This system would prevent materials from being banned yet allow parents to have preventative measures to ensure their children do not read materials they disapprove of. The following guidelines will be used in rating materials in our library. A committee of five members or more from the community separate from the school board would designate all materials in our libraries into one of the following ratings:
R: Restricted, Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. This rating means the material contains adult material such as adult activity, harsh language, intense graphic violence, drug abuse, and nudity.
Specific examples of obscene and inappropriate language include but are not limited to:
- Repeated use of swear words throughout the book.
- Description of pedophilia, incest, rape, child crimes, and trafficking.
- Sexual behavior or inappropriate sexual behavior.
- Drug use, violence, use of sex toys, descriptions of sex acts.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned, Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13. This rating is a more substantial caution for parents that the content may not be appropriate for children under 13 (pre-teen ages). This may include stronger language, extended violence or sexual situations, and drug use.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested, Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children. The material should be investigated further by parents. There may be some content such as language, violence, or brief nudity, but they aren’t so intense that more than guidance is suggested.
G: General Audiences, All Ages Admitted. Contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence, or other matters that the in-view of the Rating Board would offend parents whose younger children read the materials.
At the beginning of each school year and upon final implementation and ratings are completed, the parents/guardian of the student would choose which rating level they are comfortable with their student reading, and any student who wants to read a book above their approved level will require parental/guardian approval. The form can be found in appendix A.
Appendix A.
Library Materials Parental Consent Form
Name of Student ____________________________
Name of Legal Guardian ____________________________
Address____________________________ City _______________ State _____ Zip ________
Parental E-mail_____________________________ Parental Mobile______________________
Students Grade ______ Students Age_________________
R: Restricted, Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. This rating means the material contains adult material such as adult activity, harsh language, intense graphic violence, drug abuse, and nudity.
Specific examples of obscene and inappropriate language include but are not limited to:
1. Repeated use of swear words throughout the book.
2. Description of pedophilia, incest, rape, child crimes, and trafficking.
3. Sexual behavior or inappropriate sexual behavior.
4. Drug use, violence, use of sex toys, descriptions of sex acts.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned, Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13. This rating is a more substantial caution for parents that the content may not be appropriate for children under 13 (pre-teen ages). This may include stronger language, extended violence or sexual situations, and drug use.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested, Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children. The material should be investigated further by parents. There may be some content such as language, violence, or brief nudity, but they aren’t so intense that more than guidance is suggested.
G: General Audiences, All Ages Admitted. Contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence, or other matters that the in-view of the Rating Board would offend parents whose younger children read the materials.
Which library material rating level would you like your student to read from?
| R: | PG-13: | PG: | G: |
I give permission for my child to take part in library and take out books based on the level of my choosing.
I understand that if I wish to increase or decrease the level I must do so in writing and fill out another form.
Dated_________________________________ Signature_________________________________
Relationship__________________ Full Name_______________________________
Please complete and send with your child to the school to be turned in to the library.