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ERIC Number: EJ826941
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1094-9046
EISSN: N/A
Championing Intellectual Freedom: A School Administrator's Guide
Gibson, Jeffrey
Knowledge Quest, v36 n2 p46-48 Nov-Dec 2007
School administrators want to believe that they are champions for the rights of the students they serve. They strive to provide students with a secure, enriching environment to aid in their intellectual and social development. Through their leadership, administrators have the responsibility to guide and redirect students to help them achieve at high levels and develop into responsible, contributing members of society. These are lofty ideals befitting of a champion. There are times, however, when school administrators find themselves in situations where student rights or parental prerogative come into conflict with what the administrator believes to be in the best interest of the student. Censorship and access to print and electronic resources are areas where the choices for the administrator do not always lead to clear-cut decisions. In these areas, it is easy for administrators to find that they are not champions for student rights. If not adequately prepared, administrators also can find themselves in situations that are, at a minimum, embarrassing and, perhaps, illegal--subjecting themselves and their schools to lawsuits. In this article, the author suggests that administrators can turn to school library media specialists (SLMSs) for help. SLMSs have specific training in censorship and other intellectual freedom issues. By partnering with a SLMS, the administrator can more effectively manage challenges to intellectual freedom. More importantly, he or she can rightfully claim the title of a champion for their students.
American Association of School Librarians. Available from: American Library Association. 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Tel: 1-800-545-2433; Web site: http://www.ala.org/aasl/kqweb
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Administrators
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A