North Texas School Librarians Don’t Have 23,000 New Books They Want

In the old days, school library shelves were stocked by their keepers: highly skilled librarians, with years of training, usually a master’s degree and a great deal of knowledge of books and their appropriateness for children. Librarians, whose brains work like literary catalogs, ordered thousands of new titles each year, with some oversight from the higher-ups, and a fairly tailored rulebook enforced by state law to keep things kosher. However, librarians still did what they can do best: manage a library. 

This year, due to a new change in law, librarians are no longer in complete control of what goes on their shelves, as power has been vested in the school board, or, if a district elects, an appointed advisory council formed from community members, including parents.  

Every single book requested by a district’s librarians must be individually approved by the school board or by a SLAC, and they’re only required to meet twice a school year, slowing the new book procurement process considerably. The new law was protested by librarians and child literacy advocates, but it still passed, leaving school districts across the state to question exactly how they should abide. 

“This is so ridiculous,” Laney Hawes, co-founder of Texas Freedom To Read Project, said. “You don’t need these steps to hinder the process of getting books into your libraries. There are still guidelines and regulations. A SLAC adds what we feel is an insurmountable list of guidelines and timelines that are just going to make book buying nearly impossible.”

The new bill, which took effect on September 1, has resulted in a lengthy list of books, many thousands long, pending approval in each school district. Most of the titles are informative books, making topics like Ancient Egypt palatable for elementary schoolers; some of them are tried-and-true classics, such as Charlotte’s Web. However, regardless of the pending titles, it’s seemingly impossible to discuss and approve each book. 

“We cannot be clear enough, this will be utterly disastrous,” said Hawes. “It’s impractical. It’s burdensome.” 

The Observer, keen on the written word, decided to count the number of books added to the library request lists in each district since the new system was introduced. Spoiler alert: none of them are under 1,000. According to the law that requires a review process, districts must publish the entire list pending approval 30 days prior to when the SLAC or school board votes on the novels; however, not all have theirs easily discoverable. 

Of the districts with published lists in both Collin and Dallas County, here is the number of books that librarians have requested since Sept. 1. Most are still waiting for final approval or have just ordered their books and will continue to wait for new titles to be added to their shelves. 

Collin County

Allen ISD

1,230 books 

Example of a book pending approval in Allen: The NASCAR Encyclopedia by Peter Golenbock

Summary: A comprehensive collection of stats, figures, and anecdotes from NASCAR history.

Frisco ISD

3,157 books 

Example of a book pending approval in Frisco: 101 Optical Illusions by Sam Taplin

Summary: Exactly what it sounds like, 101 optical illusions.

Plano ISD

2,551 books

Example of a book pending approval in Plano: Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green

Summary: An analysis of the high rates of tuberculosis-related deaths and their linkage to systemic failures and global inequities, despite the disease being incurable.

Propser ISD

1,453

Example of a book pending approval in Prosper: Jujutsu Kaisen 

Summary: An incredibly popular manga series that was adapted into an anime series with a companion film.

Dallas County

Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD

4,606

Example of a book pending approval in Carrollton-Farmers Branch Hindi by Kirstin Chang

Summary: An entry-level book introducing young readers to language basics, like words for food and clothing items.

Coppell ISD 

3,295

Example of a book pending approval in Coppell: Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Summary: An American classic and a tale of friendship and sacrifice.

Dallas ISD 

4,651

Example of a book pending approval in Dallas: Scooby Doo! And The Mystery of the Haunted Library by Matthew K. Manning

Summary: Just another story of usual hijinks for the gang.

Cedar Hill ISD
2,184

Example of a book pending approval in Cedar Hill: Bluey

Summary: A book series to accompany the insanely popular children’s series about a talking dog.

Grand Total: 23,127

Average Per District: 2,891