Jazz, Drama, and a Librarian: Advocating Against Book Censorship in Public Schools
Authors
Carolyn L. Carlson
Washburn University
Abstract
Each year, books are challenged and/or banned from public school libraries across the country and most recently there has been an increased number of books with diverse characters banned from public schools. Removing books from public schools restricts students’ abilities to read and reflect upon these texts. Students have a right to access books depicting characters and events that they can relate to and characters and events that they can learn from. These books can become "mirrors" to the reader or "windows" to the world around the reader. Administrators, teachers, librarians, students, parents, and community members should advocate for access to books of all types for all students.
Author Biography
Carolyn L. Carlson, Washburn University
Dr. Carolyn L. Carlson is an Associate Professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. She holds two doctorates (a Ph.D. in Literacy Education and a J.D. (Law)), a M.S. in Literacy Education, and a B.A. in Japanese. She teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in literacy education, research methods, ESOL, and education law. She is the author of numerous journal articles, has spoken at numerous national and international conferences, and has earned multiple awards recognizing her research. She can be reached at carolyn.carlson@washburn.edu.
