SC schools chief says district libraries should review policies after book controversy
Some South Carolina school districts haven’t updated their library book policies since the 1990s, and the state’s education chief said Tuesday it’s time for a change after controversy in one district.
Education Superintendent Molly Spearman has asked school districts to update their review policies for how they select books for libraries. The move comes after parents in Fort Mill complained about a book in the district’s high school libraries that contains what they and Gov. Henry McMaster called “obscene” material.
The book, is called “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, an autobiography about how Kobabe dealt with being nonbinary while growing up. The graphic novel, which includes sexually explicit illustrations, has been pulled from school libraries across the country after it was brought into the spotlight during the Virginia gubernatorial race.
“Things have changed a lot and they just need to continually review those and update them to make sure that they’re working for the current age,” Spearman said in an interview after a State Board of Education meeting.
Spearman told the State Board of Education Tuesday that districts should have policies making it clear how parents can report potential issues with library books.
Spearman said districts should not solely rely on ratings from publishers, who provide bestsellers, or library associations who have recommended lists of which books to include in a school’s collection.
“It’s a lot to check in sometimes, it can be one word or one or two pages in a book that are inappropriate,” Spearman said,acknowledging that schools have thousands of books in their libraries.
She also acknowledged that schools have been dealing with challenges over the last year shifting priorities, such as COVID-19, but said she didn’t think the Fort Mill intentionally put the book in its high schools.
The book was rated 12 and up, which referred to the grade level as opposed to age, leading to confusion, Spearman said.
“I want to reinforce, I am wanting every child to be able to go in and find literature that they’re interested in and (that) they feel comfortable with, but we’re a little different than a regular public library,” Spearman told the State Board of Education. “In a school library, we do have that responsibility to make sure that we are reviewing things for age appropriateness in a school library. So I’m not trying to ban books. I’m very open about this, but I think there is a responsibility that we have in the school library more so than the regular just public library where you can find anything.”
School district library book policies gained wider attention last week after McMaster wrote a letter to the the State Department of Education calling for an an investigation into how obscene material could end up in school libraries. The request stemmed from the Fort Mill controversy.
Spearman said the Department of Education was aware of the situation and reached out to the school district, asking for the book to be removed the book prior to the governor’s letter.
Spearman said she also sent a memo to school districts requesting they review books “to ensure they are age and content appropriate.”
“I want every student in South Carolina to read,” Spearman said. “I want them to have minds where they feel comfortable at their school and at their library in their school.”
In a letter to McMaster Wednesday, Spearman said she has met with the State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel and given him information related to the Fort Mill incident for his review.
“As we address this issue, we must also be cognizant of the vast diversity of the students and families we serve and ensure all feel welcome, safe, and supported within our schools,” Spearman wrote. “My staff will continue to keep your Office abreast of our work and look for ways we may collaborate to strengthen public trust in our state’s education system.”
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
