Every few years a few maniacs come along who want to ban books. This time it is happening in Wisconsin, with brave and righteous elderly Christians at the helm who don't want to even so much as hear about gay-coming-of-age sexuality that they'd like to literally cease the existence of said book. Censorship is not what this country is about and when we go back to book burning we also go back to public flogging on the square.
The article states that some of these outraged elderly citizens are not library card holders and some are not from that particular town. I don't understand the meddling. Reading through the Amazon reviews, it becomes apparent to me that a.) this book was first published in 1995 b.) The author is an established teen serial writer, and c.)all the reviews I read were glowing, vibrant reviews, with one person warning about adult issues. My question is, what took these octogenarians so long? By this time, nearly everybody that wants to read this book, already has, and they are only increasing visibility to this once-dormant teen lit.
Besides the fact that censorship is un-American, I don't this it is very Christian either. Jesus wouldn't ban books.
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label libraries. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
friends helping friends
Philadelphia's relatively new mayor, Michael Nutter, announced plans to cut funding for many arts-based projects and programs in Philadelphia in a desperate measure to curb spending. Like many American cities, Philadelphia is sinking fast.
One place where Nutter wants to implement cuts is libraries, and if all goes according to plan, 11 libraries will close in the city. It may not seem vital to you, who are reading this blog from the comfort of your office, or home, or better yet home office, but there are millions of Americans who rely on the actuality of a library to be their information hub. Libraries provide free Internet service to those who can't afford a computer (or a home!). They assist with research, provide guidance and help you get the answers you need. Libraries provide countless books to patrons every year, and in this economy it has been proven that circulation of loaned books through libraries is on the rise
The library also furnishes programs for kids. Especially inner-city kids whose parents count on the safety and educational promise that a library brings. In this city, especially, with the crime rate on a constant rise, the last place I want my child to be is on the streets after school. In Philadelphia, the library hosts poetry readings, book signings and a whole host of other programs keep kids interested and involved. I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, I was always at the library. My mother was a working mother and I was a ravenous reader and she knew I would be quite at home with a book and a place to read.
So, what can we do, other then be outraged? A good place to start is a donation of $10 to the Friends of the Library. Ten dollars from every Philadelphian is enough to keep these libraries open for a short time while they hustle to find a lasting solution. I won't forget to mention the people who will be out of a job. How is this helping us? Mayor Nutter's preposterous budget cuts leaves us with more unemployed people on the street and the chance that a future poet might become a thug instead. Oh, did I mention that I've worked in the Free Library of Philadelphia before and that I have my masters' degree in library science?
Budget cuts always fall in places that hit hardest. Libraries are not day care centers but they do foster ingenuity and a healthy mind. Think this won't affect you? Think again. and donate 10 bucks, please.
Here's a link to the FLP's website: http://www.library.phila.gov/
Check it out for weekly events, sign up for a library card and utilize their databases. Think Google can answer all your questions? You are sadly mistaken.
One place where Nutter wants to implement cuts is libraries, and if all goes according to plan, 11 libraries will close in the city. It may not seem vital to you, who are reading this blog from the comfort of your office, or home, or better yet home office, but there are millions of Americans who rely on the actuality of a library to be their information hub. Libraries provide free Internet service to those who can't afford a computer (or a home!). They assist with research, provide guidance and help you get the answers you need. Libraries provide countless books to patrons every year, and in this economy it has been proven that circulation of loaned books through libraries is on the rise
The library also furnishes programs for kids. Especially inner-city kids whose parents count on the safety and educational promise that a library brings. In this city, especially, with the crime rate on a constant rise, the last place I want my child to be is on the streets after school. In Philadelphia, the library hosts poetry readings, book signings and a whole host of other programs keep kids interested and involved. I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, I was always at the library. My mother was a working mother and I was a ravenous reader and she knew I would be quite at home with a book and a place to read.
So, what can we do, other then be outraged? A good place to start is a donation of $10 to the Friends of the Library. Ten dollars from every Philadelphian is enough to keep these libraries open for a short time while they hustle to find a lasting solution. I won't forget to mention the people who will be out of a job. How is this helping us? Mayor Nutter's preposterous budget cuts leaves us with more unemployed people on the street and the chance that a future poet might become a thug instead. Oh, did I mention that I've worked in the Free Library of Philadelphia before and that I have my masters' degree in library science?
Budget cuts always fall in places that hit hardest. Libraries are not day care centers but they do foster ingenuity and a healthy mind. Think this won't affect you? Think again. and donate 10 bucks, please.
Here's a link to the FLP's website: http://www.library.phila.gov/
Check it out for weekly events, sign up for a library card and utilize their databases. Think Google can answer all your questions? You are sadly mistaken.
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