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Library Book Review Process
The Process
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As required by state law, Duval County Public Schools certified media specialists are reviewing all books in school media centers and classroom libraries.
As of June 5, 2023, approximately 149,081 books have been approved for use in classroom libraries.
The process has also yielded titles that will not be used in Duval County Public Schools because the content of these books could be construed to be in violation of Florida law.
This list of non-approved books is at the bottom of this webpage.
The Law
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Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1467 in March 2022. It became law on July 1, 2022.
Under this new law, all books in school libraries must be reviewed by a certified media specialist.
On Oct. 19, 2022, Florida's State Board of Education extended the law to include classroom libraries (Rule 6a-7.0713, effective Nov. 22, 2022). Classroom libraries are sets of books in classrooms that teachers typically use to facilitate independent reading. Classroom libraries may include books the district purchased, donated books to the school, or books that teachers might have purchased over their careers.
The law and the State Board of Education rule affect all Florida public school districts. In addition to the state-required review, it required that all certified media specialists take training provided by the Florida Department of Education about this process. This training was made available in January 2023.
The Criteria
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Based on required state training -- which covered multiple laws dealing with gender and racial ideology in books -- Duval County Public Schools is reviewing for the following:
- Material which could be considered pornographic is not allowed. State trainers reminded our team throughout their presentation that this is punishable as a third-degree felony and that reviewers should “err on the side of caution” - Florida Statute 847.012
- Material which could be considered instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity is expressly forbidden in state law for students in grades K-3 - House Bill 1557
- Material that could violate Florida Statute 1006.31(2)(d) and 1003.42(3) which, among other requirements, includes material that might describe a person or people as “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex.”
- Material should be appropriate for the grade level and age group for which the materials are used and made available - Florida Statute 1006.40(3)(d)
- Material which could be considered pornographic is not allowed. State trainers reminded our team throughout their presentation that this is punishable as a third-degree felony and that reviewers should “err on the side of caution” - Florida Statute 847.012
Approved List
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As of June 5, 2023, approximately 149,081 books have been approved for classrooms.
At this time, the district is working on a searchable database that can be used to view approved titles in all school media centers and classroom libraries.
This database is expected to be available by Summer 2023.
For information about a particular book, submit a public records request to prr@duvalschools.org.
Not-Approved List
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Almost Perfect | Brian Katche |
| Beloved | Toni Morrison |
| Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison |
| Dead Until Dark | Charlaine Harris |
| Doing It | Hannah Wilson |
| Dreaming in Cuban | Cristina Garcia |
| Forever | Judy Blume |
| grl2grl | Anne Peters |
| Gross Gods | Blake Hoena |
| Julani and the Lock | Lorenzo Price |
| Killing Mr. Griffin | Lois Duncan |
| Outlander | Diana Gabaldon |
| Perfectly Normal | Robbie Harris |
| Real Live Boyfriends | E. Lockheart |
| So Hard To Say | Alex Sanchez |
| The Hate U Give | Angie Thomas |
| The Kite Runner | Khaled Hosseini |
| The Story of Werewolves | Thomas G. Aylesworth |
| The Truth About Alice | Jennifer Mathieu |
| Thirteen Reasons Why | Jay Asher |
| Tricks | Ellen Hokins |
Guidelines for reviewing school library books
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Overview
The following criteria has been developed to assist with the 2023 implementation of Florida’s required annual training that directs districts to err on the side of caution with any material that may be deemed harmful to minors.
This list is not all inclusive. Media specialists will use professional judgement with collection development.
It is understood that there may be differing opinions on some titles. Parents have a right to restrict any book for their child or to object to the appropriateness of a book in a school library. Refer to: https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/29424
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Elementary Schools
K-5
- No reference to sexual activity
- No kissing beyond a friendly peck
- Picture Books - No profanity or racial slurs
- Chapter Books - No profanity, (limited mild profanity only in 5th grade), or racial slurs.
- May contain descriptions and/or illustrations of non-sexual nudity (i.e. The Emperor’s New Clothes).
- May contain reference to discrimination or bullying to teach age-appropriate lessons.
K-3:
- May include an LGBTQ+ character but no informational content or gender identity and/or sexual orientation. These titles will be housed in the media center.
4-5
- Grades 4-5 chapter books: May include an LGBTQ+ character but no informational content on gender identity and/or sexual orientation and can be housed in a classroom library.
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Middle Schools
1. Very limited crude language and refrain from the use of excessive profanity, rude descriptions of intimate body parts or sexual acts.
2. No descriptions or illustrations of overt sexual activity.
3. May contain limited profanity, no racial slurs unless it is a primary source or historically relevant and at that very limited.
4. May contain kissing.
5. May contain description and/or illustrations of non-sexual nudity.
6. May contain limited violence or bullying (non-sexual).
7. May contain crude humor appropriate for middle school students.
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High Schools
1. No explicit, graphic descriptions or illustrations of overt sexual acts.
2. No explicit descriptions or illustrations of aroused sexual organs.
3. No reference to bestiality or sex with multiple partners at the same time.
4. No pervasive, gruesome violence.
5. May contain profanity but not pervasive use of racial slurs or crude profanity (F bomb, slang for genitalia, slang for sexual acts).
6. May contain description and illustrations of non-sexual nudity.
7. May contain kissing.
8. May contain inexplicit reference to sexual activity (example: taking off clothes).
Helpful Links
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Reconsiderations List
Comprehensive list of books that have been challenged by parents/community members.
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Facts about library books in Duval County Public Schools
Separating fact from fiction about the district's book review process and the Essential Voices collection.
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District taking further steps to comply with Florida laws on library books
Overview of steps the district is taking to ensure compliance with state legislation.
