Another day, another ridiculous book challenge

Today's installment concerns The Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. CBS News reports that it was challenged at one school because it "encourages children to break dishes so they won't have to dry them." Further, it was outright banned in 1986 at another elementary school because the poems "glorified Satan, suicide and cannibalism, and also encouraged children to be disobedient." (cbsnews.com). What was going on with parents in the 1980s?

On banning books and other absurdities

Next week is the American Library Association's banned books week; an event that is designed to highlight just how often books are still challenged or outright banned in this country as well as to celebrate our right to read.  In the next few days I will share with you some of the absurd reasons books have been challenged or banned in this country.

First up is The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.  "In 1983, four members of the Alabama Textbook Commission wanted to reject the title for use in the schools because it was 'a real downer.'" (Karolides, Bald & Sova, 2005). Another reason the book has been challenged have been because a parent objected "to the discussion of 'the mistreatment of the Jewish people.'" (Karolides, Bald & Sova, 2005). Yes, that's right, someone objected to a Jewish girl recording the mistreatment she and others endured before perishing in the Holocaust simply because they were Jewish. Finally, in 1982 parents in Wise County, Virginia, challenged the book because Anne's criticism on her mother "undermines adult authority." (Karolides, Bald & Sova, 2005). A teen aged girl complained about her mother in her private diary. Oh no. What a shocking and terrible thing! (Where is a sarcasm font when you need one?)

Now, both of the dates of these challenges were quite a long time ago. This does not mean challenges have stopped. On the contrary, while Banned Books Week was started in 1982 due to an uptick in challenges at libraries, schools and bookstores, (www.bannedbooksweek.org) banners are still hard at work, getting offended over the slightest provocation.  Interestingly enough books with diverse characters have been the most recent target of challenges with nine of the top ten most challenged books for 2015-2016 having diverse content and eight six of the top one hundred also having diverse content.  (www.ala.org) What do we mean by diverse content? Written and/or about people of color, LGBT people, people with disabilities or a combination of these. 

Stay tuned for some more interesting facts about banned books and check out the ALA's webpage on banned books for more information and what you can do to prevent book challenges turning into bans (the removal of the challenged item). ALA Banned Books

Upcoming Library Events

We're sorry you couldn't join us for our Library Out Loud session on Summon this past Tuesday. There were far too many cookies left over, and while my mouth is happy, we are all disappointed that more of you weren't able to attend. We have another Library Out Loud scheduled for October 9th where we will highlight some of our favorite databases and discuss citations, an important topic that all students would benefit from brushing up on.

Also on the agenda on October 30th is a screening of Carnival of Souls in honor of Halloween. Carnival of Souls is a cult classic horror film and while the exact time is yet to be determined I can tell you it will be in the Rotary Center for Global Studies.

Last, but not least, the library will have a booth at the CCC Fall Fest again this year.  It is going to be on October 26th in the gym area with times also not fully determined.  Stop by and see the amazing pumpkin bean bag toss that our fantastic carpentry department made for us!

All in all it is shaping up to be a jam filled month.  Of course, you're welcome to stop by the library any time we are open, for any reason, and we hope you will.

Welcome Faculty!

Yesterday, August 10th was our open house for full and part time faculty. We'd like to share some of the photos of our displays. This is just a small sampling of the resources we have at your disposal!

All that Jazz

Louis Armstrong was born one hundred and sixteen years ago today. Thus we decided today would be the perfect day to give jazz its due.  Love it or hate it jazz is an uniquely American art form that gave birth to rock and roll for which we should all give thanks.  We salute you Satchmo and all of the other insanely talented musicians and performers of this American music. As always, the books and films are available for check out at the Jim and Patsy Rose Library. We hope you have a great weekend filled with music.

Magic in books

I apologize for the lack of posting this week. Things have been a little hectic this week with projects and meetings that need to take place before the start of the next semester.  Today I was asked if I gain magic powers whenever someone read a book and I laughed and said "maybe." I think however, that there is an element of truth in that statement.  I think we all gain a bit of magic whenever we read, especially if what we read connects with us.

Connecting readers (or people who might become readers) with books is one of the job functions of a librarian, but it is also the role of teachers across the globe.  I honestly don't remember not being able to read, or learning how to read per se (just how to sound out words that I didn't instantly recognize), but I do remember the first book that really grabbed me.  It was Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary and it was read to my first grade class by one of the best teachers I have ever had Mrs. Pat Primoli.  I related so much to Ramona and what she went through in that book and I couldn't wait to read it for myself.  This was the spur I needed to turn into a voracious reader. 

According to BuildOn.org nearly 900 million people worldwide cannot read or write.  Literacy is so important that throughout history people have been forbidden from learning these skills because illiterate people are easier to exploit and abuse. I urge you to take the time to read today and every day you can, and to read with the children in your lives.  It really does only take one great book to turn someone into a lifelong reader, and lifelong readers are lifelong learners and that it ultimately the goal of every educator. To create lifelong learners.

Author! Author!

Today is the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death. Although her life was short (she died at the age of 41) and her literary output comparatively small by today's standards (she published six novels) her work was, and remains, both significant and timeless.

Many people dismiss her works as being old fashioned romances, to which I say "balderdash." It is true that Austen's novels do tend to focus on romantic relationships, but getting married was essentially the only respectable choice for a young woman of any standing to make during the Georgian and Regency eras when Austen lived. Frankly, this was the only option available to women of standing well into the 20th century, but that is neither here no there.  The point is, you cannot fault her novels for focusing on the primary concern of women during her lifetime.  Austen's novels are filled with fabulous wit and iconic characters, and she makes cutting observation about the social standards and mores of her time.

Moreover, the plot and characters of her novels as provided inspiration for countless authors and film makers over the years.  They have adapted her works, modernized them (remember Clueless? That's Emma. How about Bridget Jones' Diary? That's Pride and Prejudice), used her characters for stories of their own, and have even used Austen herself as a character in movies and books.

Are her books wordy when compared the plot heavy novels of today? Yes, but nothing like Dickens. Would it behoove you to know something about society and the way of life during the time when the books take place? It will certainly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the books, but it isn't necessary. I do recommend you try them if you haven't. You may not enjoy them (I don't pretend that every reader will enjoy every book equally), but who knows, you may just find yourself enthralled. (Someone else needs to read Longbourn by Jo Baker which focuses on the lives of the servants during the events of Pride and Prejudice so I can share all my feels!)

If you would like to learn more about Jane Austen we can recommend www.janeusten.org and www.janeausten.co.uk