Marblehead proposal lets parents complain about library books

MARBLEHEAD – A proposed new policy for Marblehead school libraries centers around the removal of books and other materials.So far, the School Committee has accepted the changes as “informational” and in need of on-going work.The new policy sections were submitted to the School Committee Thursday by Elizabeth Lutwak, librarian at the Marblehead Veterans Middle School, who said the present school library policy contains no procedures for parents who wish to complain about a particular book.Her changes, which she and other Marblehead school librarians have been working on for the past year, refer to the removal process as reconsideration and withdrawal.When new School Committee member Thomas Connolly asked Lutwak how big a problem reconsideration is, Lutwak said, “It?s not a problem, it?s not a common, everyday thing. (But) you need to have a comprehensive policy so when it does come up you can respond in an orderly fashion, rather than in an emotional situation.”Committee member Jonathan Lederman said the complaints he has heard about focus on novels, not textbooks or non-fiction. Litwak said her proposed changes and additions reflect the national School Library Bill of Rights.Under the proposed policy, parents objecting to a particular book are asked to fill out a two-page form, which asks what their specific objections are, citing specific passages, what they think the result would be if a student were exposed to the material and whether the parents are aware of critical reviews of the material.Parents are offered five choices of action, including not assigning the material to their child, not assigning it to any child, making it available only to children who want to use it, reconsidering its use in school and withdrawing it. Once a complaint form is submitted, the principal of the school assigns a four-member committee to review it, including the principal, the school librarian, a teacher and a parent. The parent may appeal the committee?s formal, written findings to the School Committee.