Hernando County School Board members might not be bookkeepers, but they are keeping books.
The board decided Tuesday not to pull Deenie, a mildly controversial book by acclaimed children's author Judy Blume, from elementary school libraries.
In doing so, the School Board wisely overruled the more rigid recommendation of superintendent Wendy Tellone, who wanted to ban the book, which contains two passages about masturbation by a 13-year-old girl.
The board acted more reasonably and responsibly by limiting access to the book and requiring that students receive permission from their parents to check it out.
The decision marks the third time the School Board, since establishing a systematic procedure to review complaints about content, has opted to allow at least partial access to the books.
That record stands as a testament to the board's commitment to ensure that expressive popular literature - with diverse characters and real-life experiences - is available to students who want to read it. It demonstrates that the board will not allow the concern of a few parents or students to overshadow the rights of the majority.
Yanking books from shelves, as Tellone and the review committee urged, amounts to censorship. That can have a chilling effect on librarians and others responsible for selecting books and inspiring students to read.
The board's solution - requiring parental permission for students when there is a question of whether the content is age appropriate - is more evenhanded.
Parents should be involved in helping their children choose reading materials. If they find a book they believe is in poor taste or conveys a dangerous message, they have a responsibility to share that concern with school officials.
But, in most cases, it is better to turn such objections into provocative teaching/learning opportunities, rather than overreact by completely denying access to a book.
The School Board's decision to keep Deenie in the elementary school libraries reinforces that sensible approach without compromising the wishes of students or their parents.
