From the ALA banned book site: "Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States."
Stop by the library, all our displays have what have been deemed "banned" or "challenged" books. Yes, those culprits of mind corruption such as
Black Beauty, Lord of the Flies, Brave New World, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Gone With the Wind.......just to touch the very tippy top of the iceberg. Check out the link above, stop in the library, educate yourself.
WHY have these books been challenged and removed from some shelves? Who has the right to tell you what you can and can't read? (can't resist but my answer is absolutely NO ONE). If the book offends you, move on. How would you like someone going through the library picking out books they personally deemed unsuitable to find they were picking out your favorite books and removing them from the shelves?
I have personally found that often, those challenging a book have not even read it. When one brave soul decided to read what the mysterious "they" were touting as being an absolutely terrible book that should be banned, I challenged her and told her to come talk to me after she'd read it. Was I proud of her for coming back and telling me she'd actually read the book. THAT was half the battle. What her opinion was, that wasn't my interest, just that she'd read the book and made her own decision. Turns out she said the book fulfilled nothing the naysayers were proclaiming and she suspected the majority had not read the book either and were judging on a misquote.
Regardless of your opinion on the subject matter of the book, reading it gives you the knowledge of what is inside and how others think. It does not mean you agree, it means you have educated yourself. That is my personal goal during "Banned Book Week" - to encourage people to educate themselves by reading and to realize that our library will hold all sides of the topic.
The Liberty Hill Public Library has been selected to participate in the Digital Literacy Corps program in 2011 due to a grant from the Central Texas Library System. What this means for our community is that in 2011, we will be offering some basic computer skill classes for FREE to our members. Enrollment will be limited due to computer availability, so keep your eyes open for the date announcement.
Miss April has jumped into the storytime role quickly and is doing a fantastic job with all our fun little friends. Following the brother/sister storytime, they were handed frames so they could draw pictures of themselves with their own sibling/s. Come sing, dance and play with us! Wednesdays at 10:30 am!!!
So, how can you NOT love your job when you have little ones like these screaming your name out, running to you and jumping into your arms with a big ole hug? This phenomenal brother and sister, along with their mom, come to storytime religiously. They are so appreciative of what we do and offer, constantly bringing cards, flowers, and most of all....love.
NEW ARRIVALS FOR KIDS!!! Available Friday afternoon, October 29 are these new releases, NOT TO BE MISSED!!!
FREEDOM by Jonathan Franzen is the latest pick of Oprah's Book Club. It will be available for check out Friday afternoon. See what the buzz is about!
So, the Liberty Hill Public Library is in Lions Foundation Park. There is a path around the park that is oh.....I don't know 0.7 or 0.8 miles for one loop. Each morning as I come to work I see people walking; friends meeting up, someone taking their baby for a stroll, a man and his dog. And what about me? Yes, just back from taking a lunch break, on the walking path. Two times around.
