29-01-2025
How do SC book bans actually work? Here's what happens in Beaufort County schools, libraries
Book bans have been a popular topic in recent news articles and on social media platforms. But what even is a book ban and how do they work?
Different facilities approach book bans in their own way to uphold certain standards and protocols when addressing these concerns.
Here's what happens and what to know if a book ban takes place in Beaufort County locations.
Books often go through periods of being banned and then being unbanned based on the discretion of a review committee, typically at either the state or local level.
If a concerned person wants to have a book removed, formally referred to as 'challenge the book,' they must first read the book in its entirety and fill out a challenge form explaining why, how and citing where in the book there is offensive wording or another issue.
Most challenges happen at public libraries or schools.
Once the challenge form has been submitted, a review committee analyzes all the material within the complaint and casts a vote determining whether or not to keep the book on the shelves.
Depending on the nature of the challenge and the final decision of the review committee, book bans can come in different forms.
When books do get banned, they can range from only a few to hundreds of copies no longer available at a library or school district.
Here are the most common kinds of bans, according to PEN America:
Banned in libraries and classrooms: Individual titles are placed off-limits for students in either some or all libraries and classrooms and are no longer used in curriculum.
Banned in libraries: This is a process where administrators or school boards remove individual titles from school libraries where they were previously available. Books in this category are not necessarily banned from classroom curriculum and the books can still be available at different grade levels.
Banned in classrooms: School boards or other school authorities have barred individual titles from classroom libraries, curriculum, or optional reading lists. This only impacts classrooms and the books may still be available in libraries and other locations.
Banned pending investigation: Instances where a title was removed during an investigation to determine what restrictions, if any, were applicable. In cases where such investigations have concluded, titles have been further restricted or banned as a result.
Beaufort County School District
The Beaufort County School District outlines its policy regarding book bans in its Administrative Regulation IS-38.1.
The Beaufort County School District states that they uphold the principle of intellectual freedom, promote academic freedom, the student's right to read and the fair and reasonable competition of ideas and information.
BCSD officials are not permitted to remove any book from a school library but the district administrators have the right to institute an Administrative Review Committee to conduct a review if deemed appropriate.
When challenging a book, any student, employee, parent or legal guardian has the right to challenge a book. Once the challenge is submitted, the BCSD review committee will analyze the complaint and decide within 15 business days of the challenge being filed.
Decision Process
If the committee recommends any changes regarding access to the material in question, such as the addition or removal of the material, the Superintendent is responsible for implementing and communicating those changes.
If the committee recommends the book in question should be removed, the BCSD must ensure no other copies exist in school library circulation within the BCSD for the school level it is being removed from.
If the committee recommends the material in question is acceptable and can stay in schools, the BCSD must immediately place such materials back into circulation.
If anyone who files a challenge would like to appeal their request after a final decision is made by the BCSD, they must do so within seven days to the Board of Education. Parents and guardians do have the option for certain materials not to be available to their specific child and can do so by submitting the 'Request to Opt-Out of School Library Materials Form,' available on the BCSD website.
For information regarding the status of any district library materials currently under review, you can visit their webpage.
Beaufort County Libraries
The Beaufort County Libraries operate differently from Beaufort County schools.
Libraries are tasked with the responsibility to provide materials and information to meet the needs and interests of the public they serve.
The Beaufort County Libraries are thorough and thoughtful and take on each removal request carefully.
According to their website and library managers, The Beaufort County Library firmly endorses the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, the Freedom to View Statement and the American Library Association Code of Ethics.
Collection development in each library is carried out under the guidance of established policies based on the needs of user groups, service objectives, collection specifications and current selection needs. The choice of whether to read library materials is entirely an individual and confidential matter.
If a library member wants the library to reconsider any material they have, they must also go through a challenge request called a Request for Reconsideration of Library Material form.
This form is available at all Beaufort County Library locations.
Library staff members review the completed reconsideration request and then give it to the branch manager, who will then contact the library director.
The director will appoint a committee of at least three staff members and/or area specialists to evaluate the material. The committee will examine the material in question and will determine whether the item in question meets the criteria to stay or be removed from the library's collection within 30 business days.
The title under reconsideration will remain available for circulation while under review.
If anyone who files a challenge would like to appeal their request after a final decision is made, they can do so by writing to the Library Board of Trustees within 10 business days of the decision.
It's important to note that for both Beaufort County Schools and Beaufort County Libraries, a challenge report must be filled out in its entirety with all required information to be taken under proper consideration.
Bookstores
Since bookstores are private and independently owned businesses, it is up to the discretion of the business owner what is placed on their shelves.
In most cases, bookstores are not the biggest supporters of banning books and in many cases, you will see titles of these books displayed on the shelves.
This also holds true for bigger bookstore chain locations like Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
'We are a private business, it is up to the discretion of the parent, guardian or yourself if you want to read that book,' said Bruce Page, owner of The Beaufort Bookstore.
