CFLoquence: News From Your Library

Banned Books Week

Celebrate your freedom to read! September 21^st -27^th is Banned Books Week. During this annual event, libraries and bookstores across the nation are featuring challenged books, encouraging patrons to exercise their right to uncensored information and ideas. At the Canton Free Library, we’re showcasing a mix of currently challenged books and frequently challenged classics in our monthly display.

            Banned Books Week began in 1982 as an effort to draw attention to the harms of censorship. The books featured during this event have come under metaphorical fire; they have been challenged by individuals and groups attempting to restrict or remove them from curriculums and libraries. In most cases, the challenge does not result in a ban because librarians and the community fight for these books to remain available.

            According to the Office of Intellectual Freedom, the top ten challenged books in 2012 were (drum roll, please):

1. 1.      Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey
   
   
   2.      The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
   
   
   3.      Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
   
   
   4.      Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James.
   
   
   5.      And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson.
   
   
   6.      The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
   
   
   7.      Looking for Alaska by John Green.
   
   
   8.      Scary Stories (series)  by Alvin Schwartz
   
   
   9.      The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
   
   
   10.  Beloved by Toni Morrison

How do these books end up on the list? In the words of a well-known and controversial author: "The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame" (The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde).  To find our why these books were challenged and to learn about more banned books, visit www.bannedbooksweek.org.

Downton Library

            Treat yourself to an evening of tea, crumpets and British historical drama on Wednesday, September 25th at 6pm. You deserve it! Watch the Crawley family’s lives unfold on the big screen in the Paige Room. This week the series takes an unexpected twist when a Turkish diplomat arrives at the estate with eyes for the eldest daughter Mary.

Painting Class

            Create your own masterpiece with artist Wilson Bickford on Monday, September 30th at 5pm. Wilson Bickford has led painting workshops for over 20 years and recently taught a series on PBS.  We’re pleased to continue hosting his popular classes at the CFL. To register, call 386-3712. A $40 donation is suggested to cover the cost of materials.

CFL Book Group

            Is there a recipe for success? Discuss this question at the upcoming CFL Book Group meeting on October 7th at 6pm. The Book Group is currently reading The Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell.

             

Teen Event

            Otakus, unite! The CFL Anime Club is a gathering of anime geeks enjoying the art of Japanese animated movies and series. Join us on Wednesdays at 3-5pm in the Paige Room. Newbies are welcome. We’ll teach you all about anime! For more information, contact our Young Adult Specialist Krista Briggs at kbriggs@ncls.org or 386-3712.

PreK Storytime

            Join Miss Val for stories, songs and crafts on Wednesdays at 10:30am. PreK Storytime is a great opportunity for children to enjoy books and build social skills. This week’s theme is “Apple of My Eye.” No registration is required.

           

We hope you are enjoying the beauty of our North Country autumn. For our hours and a list of additions to the collection, visit www.cantonfreelibrary.org and “like” us on Facebook. Happy reading!