How much should South Carolina schools police library books? Tell us your thoughts
Books are suddenly a hot topic in education, along with who should and shouldn’t be able to read them where.
The topic is back in the spotlight because of elected officials’ concerns about what they have called inappropriate, obscene and pornographic books in public school libraries. Earlier this school year, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster supported parents’ effort to remove an LGBTQ+ memoir called “Gender Queer” from school libraries in Fort Mill, citing sexually explicit material.
State Education Superintendent Molly Spearman called on schools to review library materials, and last week chided a local school district for not moving quickly enough to vet its books before more parents started complaining this semester.
When is and isn’t it appropriate for schoolchildren to read about mature themes in school? Some parents have been shocked by some of the material their children have access to in school, but others are worried about officials censoring the works young readers are exposed to before they ever have a chance to take in new ideas.
Tell us how you feel about the policies in your school in our poll below.
This story was originally published February 18, 2022 at 12:05 PM.
.jpg)