The next Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023! Check your voter registration and closest ballot drop box: https://www.douglas.co.us/elections/.
The 2022-23 school year marked an unprecedented escalation of book bans and censorship in classrooms and school libraries across the United States. PEN America recorded 3,362 book bans during the 22-23 school year, an increase of 33% from the 21-22 school year.
Concerned about the censorship movement sweeping across America’s schools, the Douglas County FReadom Defenders sent all the DCSD BOE candidates a brief questionnaire in August. Here’s what District A candidate Susan Meek had to say:
Do you agree with the following principles?
| Yes | No | |
| All young people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books. | X | |
| Books are tools for understanding complex issues. | X | |
| Limiting young people’s access to books does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues. | X | |
| Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read. | X | |
| Parents of one family should not make decisions for other parents’ children. | X | |
| Reading is a foundational skill, critical to future learning and to exercising our democratic freedoms. | X |
Are there any particular titles or types of books you would like to see restricted or removed from Douglas County schools?
No.
Are there any circumstances in which you would support removing a book from a school or classroom library? Please be as specific as possible.
Books go through a vetting process to be approved for our schools. So there shouldn’t be many instances where books would need to be removed or reviewed. However, if a citizen wants to challenge a book, there are processes in place to allow for books to be challenged. If a book contains misinformation or inaccuracies or if it has become outdated or includes irrelevant information, it should go through a review process.
Name a book that has influenced you and explain why.
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Becky Bailey saved my sanity upon becoming a parent. I did not babysit or have experience in working with toddlers and was at my wit’s end when I became a parent. It changed my life. It saved me in many ways as I felt hopeless and was struggling with how to parent.
What role do you believe a school library plays in the school community?
School libraries are vital components of education that extend beyond serving as just a book repository. They contribute significantly to students’ intellectual growth, personal development, and academic success by providing resources, guidance, and environments that encourage lifelong learning.
Will you sign the American Library Association Candidate Pledge to support the freedom to read and unite against book bans?
Yes.
Save the date! We’re hosting a Virtual Town Hall with the candidates on Monday, September 25th at 6PM Mountain Time.
Learn more about Susan Meek’s re-election campaign:
Douglas County FReadom Defenders 