Library Language for Caregivers 

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When we talk about library work, librarians may use terms that are not familiar to you, or we may use terms in a way that is different or more specific than everyday use.  Sometimes, individuals who are asking for books to be removed from libraries may use certain terms in an unfamiliar or incorrect way. Here are some commonly used terms with definitions. We also include links to more information from organizations like the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

What Does a School Librarian Do and Why Does My Child Need One?

Before we dive into the list of terms, it is helpful to understand what school librarians actually do, and why they are important to the educational landscape:

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School Librarians vs. Public Librarians. What is the Difference?

Next, let's explore the difference between school librarians and public librarians, and how their settings determine their job responsibilities, and the way the library collection of materials is developed and managed.

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Special Terms Librarians Use

Below you will find a list of library terms that are frequently used in book challenges, by politicians, and in media. Several are linked to more resources and to video clips that can be easily shared on social media. Familiarize yourself with these terms so that you know when they are being used correctly and incorrectly, to help you advocate for strong library resources and broad collections, and to push back on efforts to defund, ban, or re-direct resources away from children and youth.

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Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored”  

(ALA quote). 

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The right to read is “the right of individuals to be selective in their own reading” 

(NCTE quote).

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