Protecting Intellectual Freedom at Jenks High School

By: Isabella Quintero

Imagine starting a new book, getting a few chapters in, and finding that this new book speaks to you in ways that no book ever has. The characters, the story, and the overarching message makes you feel so understood in a world that doesn’t quite understand you. Now imagine that book being ripped away from you. Each page being torn, crumpled, gone. Banned.

Banning books doesn't just mean taking books off the shelves. It also means taking away the right to read books that resonate with people and students who are trying to find out who they are. So many schools across the state, across the country, and even across the globe deal with the epidemic of banned books, however, we don’t see much of this at Jenks High School and there's a pretty sound reason why.

A very influential part of the education at Jenks High School is the library, and more so, the librarians that work to keep the library afloat with books of all genres for all students. The three main librarians, Efi Chatzigiannidis, Shari Mclaughlin, and Jaime Deason contribute so much to the school, even as they’re tucked away in their land of books.

Jenks High School librarians Efi Chatzigiannidis, Shari Mclaughlin, and Jaime Deason.

These librarians check out our books, they help us print, they even get us a cup of coffee from time to time, but they also value our right to read. They take the time to think of every single student in this school and order books that would interest all kinds of people, trying their hardest to make sure someone always has the opportunity to read.

In their mission to give each student a chance to read, they also fight for books that some people might not want students to read. Controversial books in the library will always be an issue at any school, as there are so many different people with many different views. However, with the policy in place that Jenks High School follows to select their reading material, and the librarians who are ready to fight for the literature, our books tend to stay pretty safe on those shelves.

“Anything that we have in the high school library collection is something that we feel is worth fighting for,” said Deason, also claiming to be willing to stand before the school board and fight for the books that her and her fellow librarians believe are worth having in their collection, and worth all students having the chance to read.

Districts have policies that outline when and why a book should be banned. Jenks follows the Board Policy 1.25 which is outlined in the Jenks student handbook, and can also be found at this link. Requests can be taken by students, teachers, and parents, but will still go through the steps of the book selection process. 

“Books are reviewed based on their alignment with the approved curriculum scope and sequence and classroom activities, age-appropriateness, literary and educational value, and reflection of community standards,” said Cathryn McCarthy, the executive director of teaching and learning at Jenks Public Schools. 

While there may be controversial opinions about certain books available at Jenks, every book in the library’s collection follows the guidelines outlined in that policy. Therefore, not meeting the restrictions to be allowed to be banned from the shelves. Despite concerns from parents or even student’s views, as long as the book follows the policy, and has these strong-willed librarians to fight for it, it will stay on the shelf, and it will stay available to all students, as it is their right to read. 

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