Is it constitutionally right for a school library to ban books?

Question

let me just add: A public school.

in repsonse to the first answer, i know a school can choose not to carry a book, but to ban a book is my question

Answer 1

I am a school librarian and I would not ban a book. If you look at a list of some of the banned books you would know why. Some books that are considered classics, including the Bible have been banned by some districts. Most, but not all librarians, are big champions of allowing people to read what they want. I celebrate banned book week by displaying banned books so that my students can see what censorship can do to society. However, if a parent requested a book be banned there is procedure we would have to follow, such as a hearing before the school board. I have removed some book from my collection that may not be appropriate anymore such as "Famous American Negroes" and "You Will Go to the Moon" just because of the outdated content. That is just a normal part of weeding your collection.

Answer 2

on constitutional rounds, nobody has the right to censor anything. However, there are parents out there who don't know the constitution or the first amendment, they just want their kids protected from the witchcraft of Harry Potter.

so on Constitutional Grounds, Banning books is NOT okay in a public school, or library. Choosing not to carry a book in circulation is one thing, banning it so that it cannot be requested is another.

Answer 3

Yes they can. a library has the right to include books or not include books in their collection.

Just like a store has th right not to carry Coca Cola, and carry only pepsi products

Answer 4

Yes. If there are reference to sex and violent books have no place in public schools. Kids are exposed to enough violence on TV.