This summer I spent hours on the library’s third floor, a large area used for storage since the 1970’s; no air conditioning but lots of dust. I sorted through 177 boxes of books that were donated to the library. Library staff are not following the current donation policy and all donated books are given to the Friends Book Sale. Many books in my Adult Fiction section are in well-loved condition with water damage, broken spines and torn pages. Sorting through the boxes led to the addition of 300 adult fiction titles not owed by the library, example added a new copy of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. The donation books were used to replace 450 “loved books” with newer copies, example replaced a water damaged, broken spine copy of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah with a brand new copy. My frustration leads me to search for information about how to handle book donations in a public library. I searched the Library and Information Source link on Clarion’s online library page using the term “handling gift or donated books”. I selected Kay Ann Cassell’s article “Handling gift books in libraries: A view from the US.” Cassell’s article provides an overview of guidelines to be used in creating a gift book policy. A gift or donated book policy should be part of the library’s Collection Development policy. Library staff are able to follow a policy that explains the purpose of the library’s collection, what the library provides, who are library users and what types of materials are
As I became older and a more advanced reader, my preference for books changed. When I was in Elementary School, nonfiction books were uncharted-territory; I would never dare or even attempt to read them. Whenever I went to a library, I would immediately zoom over to the realistic fiction and fantasy books and completely ignore nonfiction. This changed in Sixth Grade. My English teacher, Ms. Oshman had put multiple nonfiction books on display. I hadn’t been able to find a book that I had enjoyed recently, so out of sheer curiosity, I picked up a book titled “Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition” by Karen Blumenthal. I only read a few pages, but I was fascinated. Then, I stopped only checking fantasy and fiction books, and
Hitler communicated his ideas through the use of propaganda. He first solicited the use of propaganda through his book Mein Kampf to spread his ideas of National Socialism. Hitler established Joseph Goebbels as head of propaganda pursuing the Nazi convulsion of power. Their aim was to ensure the Nazi message was communicated successfully throughout all forms of entertainment. Germans were constantly reminded of the struggle against foreign leader and the Jewish disruption. An atmosphere that was tolerant of violence against Jews was created through the use of propaganda. In like manner, it encouraged passivity and acceptance of the imminent measures against Jews. It also sought to mislead foreign governments that the demands and annexations
During the September 1975 conference held by the Parents of New York United (PONYU), the members of the Board of Education of the Island Trees Union Free School District received a list of books that were considered to have objectionable contents. Having learned that 11 of the books were present in the libraries in their high school and junior high school, they created a Book Review Committee to determine the validity of the complaints and to submit recommendations as to the ultimate action regarding the books in question (Brenyo, 2011). Despite
Laura Murphy is a member of the Lake Braddock Secondary School Parent-Teacher-Student Association in Fairfax Station, Virginia. Murphy is advocating for students at the high school to not read a particular novel. The novel that she is challenging happens to be the Pulitzer Prize winner Beloved by Toni Morrison. Murphy is not only challenging the book, but is also wanting to ban Beloved. In regards to future literature, “new polices are adopted for books assigned” that might have objectionable content.
My name is Guy Montag, and I am a firefighter, who start fires rather than put them out. In my time books were banned, and if found were burned. I found the job amusing, I mean, I get paid to burn books. One day I met Clarisse, who was my neighbor and she opened my eyes to the world. I then began understanding the need for books. The people in my society were ignorant, due to the restrictions the government placed on books. I still remember the night, the fire station got a call about an old lady hiding books in her home, we went there and she told us “You can’t have my books", she then took out a match and lit everything on fire, including herself. I began thinking about how valuable books are, I mean the old lady sacrificed herself for pieces
I ask him which ones? He did not remember the names but he remembered some details about the books. The first book that he told me about was a children book, something about “teaching kids to go potty,” he said they did not removed the book because it was relevant and they also contacted other libraries and ask them if they have had requests to ban that book, and they said no. That’s why they did not banned that children book. The second book he told me about was a “graphic novel.” The graphic novel was in the kids section and some parents requested that the book should be out of shelfs because it had some nudity on it. They did not banned that book, they only changed the book to the adults section. The las book he told me about was a “recipe book (experiments)” they did banned that book because some of the recipes where dangerous and they decide to take it off the shelfs. My last question was if there is a process to take the books off the shelfs or ban them together? His answer was, yes. He said that they have to fill a request form. They also have to review the book and send the book to the New York Times and they have
A huge goal that I have for the new year is to keep the book-drive momentum going that I established in December. This is important because it would be a shame to let it die, especially because about one hundred kids in this school took home about 1000 children’s books for younger brothers, sisters, and other relatives. Early child literacy is so important, and every family in Lindenwold should to understand that babies need books, as well as somebody to consistently read to them. Furthermore, reading well by the time that they get to kindergarten will ensure a successful career in school. Sady, in Lindenwold there are many small children who have no books in the home, and I want to take action to end this.
Without question, the banning of books has increased in public schools due to the complaints submitted by parents or school officials. According to the Butler University, these complaints range from it containing racial issues, violence, witchcraft, religious affiliations, age inappropriate and so forth (Libguides: Banned Books: Reasons For Banning Books). In short, the person reading the book does not agree with the theme or the context in which it is written because it does not concord with their own beliefs. When these reports are handled to the librarians the following is carried out, “… if a book is challenged, they might not know the process and will just remove the book. And no one talks about it. Censorship succeeds when there is silence.” (Why Are Books Banned? | TIME For Kids). This proves as to why it is a unchallenging process to remove books from the shelves. To illustrate, 15-year
The majority of books and other materials selected have been reviewed and recommended by professional librarians or reviewers. The selection is an process, in which librarians look for materials that will provide a broad range of viewpoints and topics. This means that while library collections have thousands of items families want, like and need, they also will have materials that some parents may find offensive to them or inappropriate for their children. Because an item is selected does not mean the librarian accepts or promotes it. He or she is simply helping the library to fulfill its mission of providing information from all points of view. The ALA organization provides a standard in which librarians follow. These standards are sometimes recognized as the librarian bill of rights. these ALA rights state that:
Happy with my selection and feeling fairly proud of myself, I take the book to the check-out desk. The desk is occupied by the stereotypical librarian. She is an older lady probably in her sixties with gray wiry hair and half square bi-focal glasses that sit on the end of her nose. As I place the book on the counter, she looks down her nose and through her glasses at me with a look of skepticism. Frowning as she speaks, she tells me that maybe I should choose something else. Undaunted, I refuse and ask to check out the book. She gives a few other suggestions but again, I refuse. She wishes me luck as she slides it back to me and I stuff the hefty book into my backpack.
Banned For as long as people have been printing their ideas onto paper, there has been conflict. Anytime someone voices their opinion, there will be those who disagree. This is an unavoidable truth. However, through the practice of banning books, it has been possible for certain individuals to deny others their right to freely choose what they wish to read.
According to Ray Bradbury, “There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.” Censorship is a controversial topic that continues to gain attention. As various books are released, opponents that feel offended in some form begin to try and remove a book from the shelf. If the argument is lucrative enough, that book just might be removed from the shelf. As that book is removed, all the sudden other books become offensive and they too may leave the shelf. What happens when all the offensive books are gone? Will there be books left on the shelf for our children to read? Censorship is a difficult topic to discuss, however it is something that must be addressed so that school libraries
Books have many life lessons that are useful, themes that are valuable, and morals that should be kept. First off, “Libraries, to me, are safe spaces, and if young readers can’t explore the themes in my book there, where can they?” (Strum, “Banning Books¨ ). Libraries are supposed to be a place
As stated by Christine Jenkins, an Associate Professor at the Graduate College of Library and Information Science in Illinois, “‘...this library isn’t my library. It’s our library, it’s everyone’s library.’ And so, these people, and these people, and these people, and these people can come find what they want in the library.” (“Perspectives on Intellectual Freedom…” 1:42) In other words, everyone will come to the library to seek what they want to read, not what they don't want to read. Also, in the short interview with renowned actor, author, and producer Bob Balaban, he explains, “I can understand how if you’re a parent, you can decide that your child can only read books about celery, if that’s what you want. But please don't make me, and my friends, and my children, only read books about celery.” (“Authors discuss censorship... ” 2:39) In making this comment, Balaban argues that while it is reasonable for parents to restrict what their children read within their home, they should not take away what they don't want their child to see outside of their home, which would cause or threaten that resource to be taken away. This idea is similar to vegetarians. Whether their diet follows a particular religion or they chose to do so themselves, being a vegetarian does not affect others in ways that all the meat around the world is taken away. Books in libraries should be treated the same way. In conclusion, a book should not be banned just because one person disagrees with or dislikes its
Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience to advocate for the preservation of public libraries in America.