Banned Books Week is Coming (9/30-10/6) Read a Banned or Challenged Book!

One of my favorite t-shirts (which I think I'll wear to work tomorrow) has a star on the front, with the words, "Intellectual Freedom Fighter" printed across it.  The star is made up of the names of some of the most banned and challenged books.  I love that shirt.  It says a lot about me, and how I feel about the right to read whatever one feels like reading, without fear or challenge (except maybe from one's own mother...)

As a librarian, I am in an especially good place to make a difference, when it comes to standing up for freedom of speech.  Yes, there are books that make me uncomfortable.  Yes, there are books and movies that I wouldn't even consider letting my children read until they're older, but I will NOT tell other people that their child can't read it.  I WILL recommend against it on some occassions, with clear reasons why I feel that way, but I have only once refused to check a movie or book out to a child (and that was because his mother gave us specific instructions NOT to allow said child to check out anything YA or above, or above PG13).  If a parent complains, which they have, we point out that it is that parents responsibility to pay attention to what their child is reading/watching, not ours.

We have had 3 occassions, in the 12 years I've been at the library, where I have had a request to have a book removed from our shelves.  In one case we actually did remove the book.  But it wasn't because of the book's content.  It was just a REALLY badly written book (it was very old, so we had precident...it was past "weeding" age.)    On another occassion, a book by a Newbery winner (and writer of other challenged books) that was on our paperback giveaway shelf was the target.  Not only did we not pull it, but I bought a hardcover copy for the library.  It is a very good book.  The other complaint involved a "coffee table" art book.  There were (GASP!) nude paintings in it.  Classical paintings.  Not "trashy" stuff.  I won't even go there. 

Besides the usual victims (Harry Potter, Twilight), you'd be amazed at some of the things people have pulled from the shelves!  Gone With the Wind; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; James and the Giant Peach; The Bible...  The list is HUGE! If you'd like to see more, you can find a long list here. This isn't nearly all of them, but it's a good representation.

Take time to look at the list, then take the time to make a statement in favor of Intellectual Freedom. Read one (or more) of the listed books.  Then ask yourself why someone else should have a right to say what you and your family should read. 

For more information on Banned Books Week activities, visit http://bannedbooksweek.org/.

Now, tell me what you think.  Should libraries (and schools) be allowed to ban books from their shelves?  Why or why not?

One of those days.....

Some days, even the best job in the world (which I have) can test a person's patience. Without going into detail, today was one of those days. Patrons sometimes have a problem with our policies, but the policies are there to make the library a place where everyone feels welcome and valued, so we just have to deal with the occassional person that disagrees. We deal with it and go on. Because we're cool like that...

PLT 250: Public Library Technology

Public Library Technology:  It's not just a crucial part of today's library experience, it's a class I'm taking to try to do a better job of it!  This course is (according to my syllabus)" an introduction to technology and its application in libaries".  This would translate to, I'm going to learn how to choose the right equipment to meet the needs of my patrons, how to write a technology plan, and what I need to do to help patrons learn how to use what we provide for them.

With the changing face of what patrons expect from libraries, it's more important than ever that library staff understand all the different technologies available to our patrons.  These patrons will see a really interesting new gadget, and they'll go out and buy it.  And guess where they'll go to learn how to use it?  That's right!  They'll come to us.  So, we might as well get used to the idea of becoming the "Go To Geek" in the community.  Besides, it's fun to be able to play with and learn all those different gadgets, even if we can't afford to buy them ourselves.