ep. 204: Houston, We Have a Library Problem
Why is one of the largest school districts in the country turning libraries into student detention centers? Debbie Hall, certified librarian and co-founder of Students Need Libraries in Houston Independent School District, fills Cristen in on the difference school librarians make, why their jobs are in jeopardy and how Moms for Liberty is pushing book censorship in Texas and beyond.
guest:
Debbie Hall: Twitter | Students Need Libraries in HISD
sources:
Amy, Jeff. Georgia Made It Easier For Parents To Challenge School Library Books. Almost No One Has Done So. Associated Press. Aug 20, 2023.
Bauld, Andrew. The School Board, Explained. US News. Jan 11, 2023.
Bauman, Anna. As Miles dismantles HISD libraries, data shows book checkouts soared in 2022 under expanded staffing. Houston Chronicle. Aug 12, 2023.
Every Library. Review of State Laws that Would Criminalize Librarianship 2021-22. Sep 14, 2022.
Friedman, Jonathan and Johnson, Nadine Farid. Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Ban Books. PEN America. Sep 19, 2022.
Hellerstein, Erica. America’s culture warriors are going after librarians. Coda. Dec 21, 2022.
Jensen, Kelly. What Do School Boards Do? Book Riot. Apr 15, 2022.
Lance, Keith Curry and Kachel, Debra E. Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us. Kappan. Mar 26, 2018.
Miller, Chaz. TEA takeover of HISD to last at least 2 years, transition back will take 3. ABC 13. Apr 14, 2023.
Moench, Katie. The Path to Becoming a School Librarian. Book Riot. Jun 28, 2023.
Morehart, Phil. U.S. Book Challenges Update: August 18 Edition. ILoveLibaries. Aug 18, 2023.
Smith, Tovia. The plot thickens: The battle over books comes at a cost. NPR. Aug 11, 2023.
Tomko, Gina and Pendharkar, Eesha. What the Numbers Say About the Drop in School Librarians. Education Week. Apr 27, 2023.
