Greenville County Schools Pause Book Fairs Amid New Regulations

Greenville County Schools Pause Book Fairs Amid New Regulations

Greenville, SC – Greenville County Schools have decided to pause book fairs for the current school year. This decision comes in light of a new regulation from the South Carolina Board of Education, which mandates that schools remove books that are not considered “age and developmentally appropriate.” The school district wants to reassess how it can hold these popular fundraising events while complying with the new rules.

According to Greenville County Schools spokesperson Tim Waller, the logistics of operating book fairs are complicated. When large amounts of books are delivered, school staff cannot verify all of the content in time. Waller explained that vendors cannot provide the necessary information early enough for the school district to review and approve the materials prior to the fairs. “It is not possible for school personnel to vet all book fair content after it arrives,” he added.

Book fairs, typically organized by Scholastic or local independent bookshops, are a much-loved tradition in schools. They not only serve as effective fundraising activities but also promote literacy by encouraging students to read. The district recognizes the importance of these events and is working with schools and vendors to find a way to resume them in the future.

While book fairs are on hold, Waller mentioned that schools have alternative options, including book clubs and online book fairs. “We will share more information once we have evaluated those other options for this year,” he stated.

The South Carolina Board of Education introduced this new regulation in June, aiming to prevent the availability of books that depict “sexual conduct” to any age group of children. This action follows a noticeable rise in challenges to books across the nation, marking an all-time high for complaints according to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The South Carolina Department of Education supports the district’s decision to pause book fairs. A spokesperson noted that the department aims to help schools find vendors that can guarantee age-appropriate materials for students.

Critics, including the South Carolina chapter of the ACLU, argue that the regulations may lead to a surge of book-banning attempts, claiming it is a threat to academic freedom. The ACLU emphasized the importance of maintaining access to a broad range of literature in schools and libraries.

As the community awaits more information, they remain hopeful about the restoration of book fairs, which play a critical role in fostering a love for reading among students.