In my Monday night class we were talking about the Children's department in the library and the best ways to keep younger patrons safe in the library. One of the other students started talking about a library in Wisconsin that is in danger of being shutdown. She heard the story on the local news while visiting the state for the week end . Unfortunately I couldn't find an Internet article about the story. I have e mailed to ask what news station so hopefully I can provide more information later.
The details of the story is that the library has a pornography room. Because of space issues the room is located in the children's department! The room is monitored and only adult patrons are allowed to visit the room. But how well can the room be monitored and wouldn't its location make younger patrons very curious about the room?
This made me think about the rights of the library. Are they allowed to have a room with this type of materials in the library? If they are allowed, is the room protected under IF policies?
After hearing the story I wasn't sure where I stood. At first I felt the room should never be allowed so close to the children's area and why would the library even need a room with only adult materials. Next I thought about IF and the need to serve all patrons. If it gets you into the library and reading , doesn't that support most libraries missions?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Post #9
Dr. Ball briefly mentioned in class last week the issue of lead in library books. I was a little late in getting the info . Here is an article with the main details. I didn't realize the threat until a friend who works in the children's department of a library, suddenly started talking about her plan to hide books and that certain classics always belonged in the library no matter what legislation said. She is definitely an advocate for IF and meant business if the legislation that goes into affect next year did take books off the library's selves. Fortunately the legislation will not affect libraries and books will stay on the shelves.
This got me thinking about other peoples reactions to the lead found in toys and books. I was at an Easter egg hunt this past week end and one of the kids participating got a match box car in his egg. His mother snatched the car out of his hand and began to inspect it. She then very loudly said if its made in China its going in the trash! I just kept thinking do you know how many products are made in China?
What should librarians say to patrons with these fears? It is their right to no longer allow products made in China in at home . But what about toys and books at the library? Could a patron who is loudly expressing their concerns cause other patrons to become concerned? I liked the example of in order for the lead in library books to be ingested by a child they would have to lick it repeatedly. Could you tell this to a patron or do you need to stay neutral and only voice the libraries policy?
This got me thinking about other peoples reactions to the lead found in toys and books. I was at an Easter egg hunt this past week end and one of the kids participating got a match box car in his egg. His mother snatched the car out of his hand and began to inspect it. She then very loudly said if its made in China its going in the trash! I just kept thinking do you know how many products are made in China?
What should librarians say to patrons with these fears? It is their right to no longer allow products made in China in at home . But what about toys and books at the library? Could a patron who is loudly expressing their concerns cause other patrons to become concerned? I liked the example of in order for the lead in library books to be ingested by a child they would have to lick it repeatedly. Could you tell this to a patron or do you need to stay neutral and only voice the libraries policy?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Blog post # 8
The other day my mom called me very excited about an article she was sending me from my hometown newspaper.( my mom may be the only person I know who still loves to send mail, she constantly cuts clipping out of the paper to send) . She said they are shutting down the bible trailer! The bible trailer is a trailer that parks outside of the elementary schools in my small town and if you have a signed permission slip you can visit the trailer for a bible lesson. I'm from a small conservative town and the bible trailer has been supported by the community for many years. I attended the bible trailer in the first grade and so did my 32 year old sister. Recently a local judge voted that the trailer went against church and state laws. This was a big shock to most members of the community. Here is an article about the school corporation meeting .
It has a few weird typos but I'm pretty impressed it was available online.
This got me thinking about libraries and the community they serve. My hometown community has supported the bible trailer program for years . Our library is very conservative and follows the unspoken guidelines the community creates. IF is an important practice to have in your library but I feel many communities would not support the idea. The group that has the loudest voice tends to make the rules.
It has a few weird typos but I'm pretty impressed it was available online.
This got me thinking about libraries and the community they serve. My hometown community has supported the bible trailer program for years . Our library is very conservative and follows the unspoken guidelines the community creates. IF is an important practice to have in your library but I feel many communities would not support the idea. The group that has the loudest voice tends to make the rules.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Blog post #7
I just read an article that gave me hope for Intellectual Freedom in schools! The article
is about Delphi high school and three books used in an English class that were challenged by parents. The books are Bobbie Ann Mason's "In Country," Chris Crutcher's "Chinese Handcuffs" and Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye." The best part about the article was that the students fought for the continued use of the books. They felt the discussions they had because of the books were so important.
I remember the books I read for English in high school and remember not being passionate about the books . I also felt as though I didn't gain any knowledge from the assigned books. The students were successful , the board voted to keep the books. It was great to read about students and teachers defending their Intellectual Freedom in the classroom.
is about Delphi high school and three books used in an English class that were challenged by parents. The books are Bobbie Ann Mason's "In Country," Chris Crutcher's "Chinese Handcuffs" and Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye." The best part about the article was that the students fought for the continued use of the books. They felt the discussions they had because of the books were so important.
I remember the books I read for English in high school and remember not being passionate about the books . I also felt as though I didn't gain any knowledge from the assigned books. The students were successful , the board voted to keep the books. It was great to read about students and teachers defending their Intellectual Freedom in the classroom.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Blog post #6
This week I was having trouble finding something to blog about. I started a general search for articles about libraries and I came up with this article about the ILA selling an Obama license plates that will benefit summer reading programs ( and other library programs). This article doesn't really have a lot to do with IF but I thought it was a very resourceful way for the ILA to raise funds.
Next I found an article about IF advocate Senator Pell . He worked on creating legislation for education and libraries from 1961 to 1997. He was also made an honorary member of the ALA for all of his efforts and attended this years ALA conference in Denver ( did you get a chance to see him Dr. ball?). Usually what I hear about senators is not very positive and certainly not about the impact they make on education or IF. Unfortunately he died this year at the age of 90. But sounds like he spend lots of time during his 90 years as an advocate for IF. That's a tall order but hopefully we will all get a chance to do our part for IF.
Next I found an article about IF advocate Senator Pell . He worked on creating legislation for education and libraries from 1961 to 1997. He was also made an honorary member of the ALA for all of his efforts and attended this years ALA conference in Denver ( did you get a chance to see him Dr. ball?). Usually what I hear about senators is not very positive and certainly not about the impact they make on education or IF. Unfortunately he died this year at the age of 90. But sounds like he spend lots of time during his 90 years as an advocate for IF. That's a tall order but hopefully we will all get a chance to do our part for IF.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Blog post #5 part two
The new covers for adults also made me think about Orca Soundings. They are books designed for teens with a lower reading level. They feature short sentences , simple vocabulary and plots that would interest teens. A few are pretty scandalous and a library friend of mine talked about they often get challenged. Here is a link to one I think is a little scandalous. But if it gets teens reading?!
Charmed
Charmed
Blog Post # 5
I found this article because of the title Harry Potter gets a bootleg makeover
I'm a very big fan of Harry Potter so I thought I would read it and see what had happened to my favorite wizard. An American designer posted new covers for the Harry Potter Books for adults who wanted a more grown up cover. The writer of the article was not allowed to show the link to the covers. According to to the writer they were great covers featuring penguins and only subtle hints about the book's title such as a snake coiling around a sword.
I understand why these covers cannot be shown- although I am a little sad because I'm really interested now! It got me thinking about patrons who like children / young adult books but are shy to check them out because of the covers/ implications that go along with the books. Other adult covers have been made and sold for Harry Potter in the UK. I remember buying one with just a simple picture of train when I studied abroad. I also remember reading about how well they sold and how often the more adult covers were read on public transportation.
Is this something that would be beneficial to libraries? I love children and YA books and have no trouble checking them out and reading them around others. What about other patrons who may have a lower reading level or would be drawn to the books with a more adult cover? Would a new cover attract more readers and patrons or should they just man up and admit children and YA books are ok with them?
I'm a very big fan of Harry Potter so I thought I would read it and see what had happened to my favorite wizard. An American designer posted new covers for the Harry Potter Books for adults who wanted a more grown up cover. The writer of the article was not allowed to show the link to the covers. According to to the writer they were great covers featuring penguins and only subtle hints about the book's title such as a snake coiling around a sword.
I understand why these covers cannot be shown- although I am a little sad because I'm really interested now! It got me thinking about patrons who like children / young adult books but are shy to check them out because of the covers/ implications that go along with the books. Other adult covers have been made and sold for Harry Potter in the UK. I remember buying one with just a simple picture of train when I studied abroad. I also remember reading about how well they sold and how often the more adult covers were read on public transportation.
Is this something that would be beneficial to libraries? I love children and YA books and have no trouble checking them out and reading them around others. What about other patrons who may have a lower reading level or would be drawn to the books with a more adult cover? Would a new cover attract more readers and patrons or should they just man up and admit children and YA books are ok with them?
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