A teachers’ prayer group has proposed that dozens of titles be considered for removal from the Russell County High School library in Russell Springs, Kentucky.
A letter from a group member listed more than 50 books— including J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and The World’s Most Famous Ghosts by Daniel Cohen—that “may need to be removed” because they deal with ghosts, cults, and witchcraft, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported March 13. God “can not come into a place that is corrupted,” the letter stated.
Principal Roger Cook said a small group of teachers and parents approached the school’s council in February and requested a committee be formed to review library books. The group was asked to bring a proposal to the March 12 council meeting, but they did not show up, Cook said. However, more than a dozen people who did attend spoke against such a review, praising the book selections by librarian Mary Donna Foley. “I think none of the books should be taken away—leave that to parents to make that decision,” said resident Donnie Wilkerson.
Cook said that although the school has a policy allowing people to initiate challenges, no one had used it in 20 years, so there was no committee in place to make judgments. No action would be taken until the school’s board and attorney had reviewed the issue, Cook said.
Posted March 18, 2002.