Greenville County Schools Pauses Book Fairs Amid New Regulations
Greenville County, SC – This school year, Greenville County Schools has decided to pause book fairs due to a new state rule that requires all books to be deemed “age and developmentally appropriate.” This pause will give district leaders time to collaborate with schools and book fair vendors to find solutions for future book fairs.
What Are Book Fairs?
Book fairs, often organized by groups like Scholastic or local independent bookstores, are popular events that help raise funds while also promoting literacy among students. However, school spokesperson Tim Waller explained that the logistics surrounding these events are complicated. He stated, “The logistics of book fairs involve large containers of books and other material being delivered to schools, set out, packed up, picked up, restocked, and sent to the next school on a short turnaround time.” This means there may not be enough time for school staff to properly check all the materials once they arrive at schools.
New Rules from the South Carolina Board of Education
The pause comes after the South Carolina Board of Education adopted a regulation in June that bans books containing descriptions or images of “sexual conduct.” However, the board claims that this regulation does not constitute a book ban. They argue that it just governs what materials can be bought or kept in public schools while allowing students the freedom to read whatever they choose at home.
Local Support and Alternatives
The significant decision to pause the fairs has garnered mixed reactions. The South Carolina Department of Education praised the district for its attentiveness to the new rules. In the meantime, alternatives such as online book fairs or book clubs are being considered to maintain engagement with students and literacy promotion.
Furthermore, there has been pushback against the regulation from organizations like the ACLU, who term it “overbroad” and fear that it might cause a rise in book bans in the community.
Looking Ahead
As the district works to comply with these new standards, it remains committed to finding ways to offer book fairs in the future. Officials stated they would share more information as they explore different options.
