MERIDIAN, Idaho — The latest in the battle over banning or challenging books in Idaho is in the state's largest school district. West Ada is pulling ten books from all school library shelves.
A District Administrative Review was done last week. The West Ada School District told KTVB Monday, Dec. 18, that the decision to remove books was not made lightly. However, the teacher's union is not on board with the outcome.
The West Ada School District said it is re-considering 44 library books through administrative review that has been initiated by district leaders.
The district told librarians they need to remove ten books from the list from all schools in the district because they, "don't align with the West Ada School District Program philosophy or the selection criteria of learning resources."
That list includes books like The Handmaid's Tale: A Graphic Novel, Water For Elephants and You.
A district spokesperson told KTVB a team of staff members reviewed the list of books last Tuesday. Further, they were, using the district's Book / Learning Resource Alignment Guide, professional reviews, circulation stats, Meridian Public Library placement and content excerpts.
Those excerpts were taken directly from a book rating website called "Book Looks," created in 2022 and run by a Florida couple who "USA Today" reports have ties to a conservative political activist group called Moms for Liberty.
“In our classes they learn curriculum and in library they learn how to be humans,” West Ada Education Association President Zach Borman said.
Borman stated he feels the district needs to protect the values of education, curiosity and exploration; "and not cave to the amorphous anger that's out there in community or fear of what is to come," he said. "I don't think anyone that believes in academic freedom is happy about books being pulled out of libraries. Much like most people who've seen the list I was very surprised having read a number of those materials myself and not even recalling what might have been the offending passages."
Sitting on the book review committee includes the chief academic officer, director of curriculum and instruction, a middle and a high school principal, a teacher and the district's library coordinator.
A spokesperson claimed the district tried to include West Ada librarians... but they "opted out."
The West Ada School District declined an on-camera interview. They did give KTVB a lengthy statement that reads, in part:
“In the careful deliberation of our book review process, the decision to remove specific titles, particularly those with explicit and graphic content, is guided by thoughtful consideration. Our paramount concern extends beyond the pages, as we prioritize the well-being and comfort of our diverse community. It's essential to clarify that the books under consideration for removal do not fall under the category of children's literature; rather, they represent works of a more explicit nature"... “our dedication lies in creating and nurturing an educational environment that upholds the diverse needs of our community. We are steadfast in ensuring that the materials available align with both age-appropriate and intellectual standards. This discerning approach underscores our commitment to fostering a space that is simultaneously stimulating and responsible. In this commitment, we strive to cultivate an environment that fosters intellectual growth while maintaining a space that is respectful, inclusive, and harmonious with the core values of our community.”
Borman expects more legislation to be proposed this upcoming legislative session, that he said could forever impact libraries and librarians in Idaho.
"These libraries are not gonna exist in the same way afterwards," Borman said. "Misguided or not, I understand why the district is doing what they are doing. But it's not gonna be enough."
He believes this is West Ada's way of getting ahead of any financial impacts of that legislation, or future book challenges.
"I understand where the district is coming from in starting this process and really trying to make sure that our shelves are as clean as can be, but it's kind of a terrifying direction to be moving I would think," Borman said. "The issue to me, it's not about the removal of any book in particular. It's that when and what is enough?"
Here is the full list of the removed books:
- Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
- Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
- You: A Novel by Caroline Kepnes
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
- The Handmaid's Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood and adapted by Renee Nault
- The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur
- A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
- Collected Poems 1947-1980 by Allen Ginsberg
- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
- Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
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