“Parents are the first and strongest advocates for their children. When we stand up and speak out, we can take back the classroom, reclaim our rights, and protect our kids from state-sponsored grooming.” — Karen England

The Capitol Resource Institute (CRI) is recruiting volunteers to help audit school libraries and expand the organization’s database of bad books as part of its Take Back the Classroom initiative.

Just this month, Education Reporter and Phyllis Schlafly Eagles Director, Kurt Prenzler, spoke with CRI Program Administrator, Dana Fought, who explained how CRI trains volunteers to audit public-school libraries to determine if they stock pornographic books. Once identified, the titles can be included in CRI’s school-specific database of inappropriate books.

Fought described the computer process techniques for performing the audits, which can vary from district to district. The process is not difficult and can provide absorbing and rewarding work. As Prenzler observed, “let’s just say CRI has a well-developed system” that is easy and efficient for volunteers to use.

Fought said CRI’s aim is to spread the word that its website exists and what it offers, including a free step-by-step guide, called the R.E.M.O.V.E. (Reviewing Explicit Materials Opposing Vulgar Education) toolkit, which educates parents on how to go about ousting a particular book from their school library. “It’s important to locate the specific school district’s policy for challenging these books and to follow it,” she advised. “Those seeking to remove a book should document everything they do.”

She cautioned that “most courts across the country would disallow the removal of a particular book, LGBTQ or otherwise, simply because a parent does not agree with the content. These decisions have found that objection to a book’s subject matter (political, social, or religious themes or ideas) does not constitute sufficient grounds for removal from the shelves of public-school libraries.”

As a side note, Fought said the American Library Association (ALA) is not the only culprit pushing sexually explicit LGBTQ books, but that “organizations, such as GLSEN,” do so as well. GLSEN has long pretended to be all about preventing bullying and harassment of LGBT youth in schools, but they are avid promoters of woke LGBT ideology, as are GLAD, PFLAG, and others.

Fought’s recommendation is for interested parties to start with the heterosexually explicit books. She mentioned as an example the works of author Ellen Hopkins, which are sexually explicit and filled with dark themes such as rape, alcohol abuse, and other forms of addiction. The CRI book list includes sample excerpts of egregious content for many of the books, with more being added as the organization’s detective work progresses.

Following are CRI’s step-by-step instructions for R.E.M.O.V.E.ing an objectionable book as they appear on the website:

Step 1: Research the [District’s] Policy

Start by locating your school district’s book challenge or reconsideration policy. If it’s not online, ask for it in writing — and keep a paper trail of every communication.

Step 2: Explore the Library

Search the online library catalog (look for Follett Destiny or Alexandria). Use your child’s login if needed. Search titles and read reviews on Amazon or other parent forums. If you find something questionable, document it.

Step 3: Build a Case

Track book titles, which schools have them, how many copies exist, and why they are concerning. Keep screenshots, photos of pages, and download our Book Tracker to stay organized.

Step 4: Submit a Challenge

Fill out the official reconsideration form (per your district’s policy). Be specific, clear, and back your challenge with evidence — both visual and descriptive.

Step 5: FOIA If Necessary

If your district stonewalls you, file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Be detailed in what you’re asking for (e.g., book purchase records, email communication with vendors).

Step 6: Follow Up

Check back frequently — schools receive new donations and make purchases throughout the year. What wasn’t there yesterday might be there tomorrow.

Once parents learn of the pornographic or otherwise inappropriate books on their school library shelves, they can share the information with other parents. As Karen England discovered, “often parents don’t know what their kids are exposed to every day.”

CRI encourages people not only to find out what’s in their children’s school libraries, but to visit their local public libraries as well and see for themselves if any pornographic or propaganda-filled books are on the shelves in the children’s sections.

Kurt Prenzler noted: “People often think there are no bad books in ‘their’ local public-school libraries, but as President Ronald Reagan said, ‘trust, but verify.’ And to invoke the State Farm Insurance tagline, parents should ‘Discount Double Check.’ CRI needs volunteers to help do this checking.”

Volunteers are especially needed to identify the objectionable books in school libraries. Next, concerned parents, grandparents, and citizens are encouraged to go through the six-step process to remove the books. CRI hopes that people who are alarmed by these revelations will feel motivated to help.

For more information or to volunteer, readers may contact Dana Fought by email to DanaF@capitolresource.org or by phone at 618.514.2599. CRI may be reached through its websites: Take Back the Classroom, and Take Back The Community.

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