How Wallenpaupack parents can be involved in children's library usage
A handful of people continue to share their concerns to the Wallenpaupack school board about a few library books with content related to sexuality or gender. At the Sept. 11 meeting, which as usual was held in the high school library with bookshelves as a backdrop, school librarians made a presentation about the system in place for parents to decide what books or other materials, if any, they deem as inappropriate for their children.
Anyone interested in seeing what books or other materials are provided at each of the five school libraries can search on the district website by choosing "Library Services" and picking "Wallenpaupack Libraries." From there, one may choose "Catalog," pick the school and search under a keyword, title, author, subject, or series. The website is wallenpaupack.org.
The district website provides links to the Wayne County and Pike County library systems, which also provide public access to their searchable catalogs.
During public comment, one of the speakers, Martha Tashiro, repeated her suggestion that while the district will restrict certain titles, authors, or books of certain subjects from being taken home by a student at the request of a parent, there ought to be a list provided of what materials with sexual- or gender-related content are available.
Related: 'Filthy material' or 'a chance to grow': Debate over books rages at Wallenpaupack
Donald Walutes, middle school librarian, discussed library resources at the meeting, responding to questions posed by Rita Saylor, high school librarian.
Walutes stated that all of their resources are available "24/7, 365 days a year, unless the internet goes down."
Displaying the website on a large screen, he picked the middle school library and showed the various resources students can use. There are instructional library resource videos, developed during the COVID pandemic when students were being educated at home. Logged in users can explore audio books, e-books, research databases and other research tools. A student may also "chat" online with a school librarian.
Reviewing the online library catalog, Walutes stated, "We would like to be sure parents remember they have access to this at any time so they can see what their kids are reading and gives them ownership in it."
Parents can restrict the books their children can access
If a middle school student wants to read a high school book, the student must bring a signed permission slip from home to the librarian, Walutes said. The title and author must be noted.
The Sora app allows students to search for e-books and audio versions and access them not only in Wallenpaupack libraries, but also the public libraries of northeastern Pennsylvania and a consortium of school libraries in the northeast region of the state.
"We encourage parents to be part of it," Walutes said. "We want them to be part of it; they need to be a part of it."
Saylor asked if a parent could restrict certain materials. "You surely can. It's your child, it is your son or daughter," Walutes said. "You will have to submit to me, or any of the other librarians, a written request to have that child not be able to read the specific book, meaning the title and the author."
Saylor added that the librarians keep those requests and see them when a child asks to take out a certain book. Students do not see the list of which students have materials restricted.
During public comment, Megan Berens said she is a proud Wallenpaupack parent of a first- and third-grader. She said she was disheartened to hear Wallenpaupack may be "targeted" by nationwide groups with an outside agenda, seeking restrictions on what the students can access.
"Our students should live in an environment where they can see themselves and their families reflected in the books on the shelves to their neighbors and classmates. They deserve to be challenged and inspired to grow to tackle new ideas and explore worlds different from their own," Berens said.
Carolyn Burkholder attended the school board meeting sharing her concern over "I am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and "George" by Alex Gino. Both books concern transgender topics and are available in the North Intermediate School Library. Burkholder expressed concern over the effects of gender transition on one’s body, saying these books should be removed and parents informed about them.
Her sister Martha Tashiro called for a list of books on Wallenpaupack library shelves with clear sexual content to be provided to parents at the start of the school year. The internet, she said, presents much more of a problem to spreading information to children, but all should be addressed. Both women have attended several school board meetings this year to discuss this issue.
Among other items:
The board honored three seniors for exemplary academics and use of extracurricular opportunities. They are Leila Katz, Ty Mazzga and Alexander Seretis.
Nine new recently hired teachers and staff were introduced to the school board.
Classes for the 2023-2024 school year resumed Sept. 5. Enrollment was 3,040. By contrast, the September 2022 enrollment figure was 2,997. September enrollment hovered in the 2,900s after the year 2017, when it stood at 3,035 (enrollment for September 2020 was not provided).
Seniors are in the lead with 288 students. From K-12, the smallest is first grade at 192. Noting the swift passage of time, North Primary Principal Kevin Kromko emphasized that they welcomed new kindergarteners, which are "the class of 2037."
Day-to-day substitutes are needed as certified teachers, guest teachers, nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, secretaries, and teacher assistants.
Wallenpaupack School Board has recently updated its public comment policy, allowing those wishing to address the board to register online up to the time of the meeting, or at the meeting by filling out a paper form provided by the school district solicitor, Anthony Waldron. Policy #903, regarding public comment, may be reviewed on the district website.
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wallenpaupack parents can restrict the books their children read
