The Office for Intellectual Freedom has released our list of the Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008. The list is available below and on the OIF website and you can find more information in the ALA press release about the 2008 list.
The children’s book, “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, remains at the top of the list for the third year in a row. “Tango” still faces frequent challenges for reasons that include religious viewpoint, homosexuality, and age appropriateness.
OIF received a total of 513 challenges in 2008, up from 420 total challenges in 2007. For every challenge reported to OIF, however, we estimate that there are 4 or 5 challenges that go unreported.
“Tango” tops challenged books list for third consecutive year
Read more
Category Archives: Public Libraries
Public Libraries Section & related news and events.
Attention Poetry Lovers!
Just a reminder of the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum’s very special event in celebration of National Library Week. Poet Galway Kinnell will be reading from his work on Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 P.M. The reading will take place at South Congregational Church, Main Street, St. Johnsbury, a block from the Athenaeum. Reception and book signing will follow the reading at the Athenaeum. For more information call us at 802-748-8291.
In honor of the occasion, Elements, our wonderful local restaurant, will extend their hours of service until 9:30 P.M. to accommodate poetry lovers who would like to end their evening with a delicious meal. Call them for reservations at 748-8400.
—
Lisa von Kann, Library Director
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum
1171 Main Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-8291, ext. 301
WCAX–Vermont libraries helping in hard times
In case you missed it when it aired (finally!) on WCAX last Tuesday night and Wednesday morning… We have the interview with a Williston library patron who used our library regularly after losing his job. Martha Reid and I are also interviewed. Go to our website www.williston.lib.vt.us , you’ll find it on the right side of the front page. It is also available at www.wcax.com under the video gallery, “More Vermonters Check Out Libraries.â€
Marti Fiske
President, Public Libraries Section – VLA
Director, Dorothy Alling Memorial Library
21 Library Lane
Williston, VT 05495
www.williston.lib.vt.us
802-878-4918
marti@williston.lib.vt.us
Check Out the Parks Free!
State Parks and the Department of Libraries have created a free day pass for every public library in Vermont, granting free admission to Vermont state parks. Passes will be mailed to public libraries before opening day for the parks, which is May 25, 2009. Each library can set its own policies around circulation and use. For the full press release, http://governor.vermont.gov/tools/index.php?topic=GovPressReleases&id=3405&v=Article.
Amy Howlett
Vermont Department of Libraries
amy.howlett@mail.dol.state.vt.us
New England Carnegies Website
Hello from Central Massachusetts —
I’m pleased to announce that updates and additions have been made to the “New England Carnegies” web site at http://www.necarnegies.com.
The site was launched in 2006 in order to honor the 85 public library buildings that Andrew Carnegie funded in New England. A page for each library contains a brief history, an historic postcard image, and contemporary photos. Visitors can take a virtual tour that leads them across the six states.
Now the 10 academic Carnegie libraries of the region have been added as well. That list includes the former library building at Norwich University.
Also added are the texts of historic newspaper accounts of Andrew and Louise Carnegie’s visit to Worcester, Mass., in 1913. Andrew participated in laying the cornerstones for the three branch libraries that day.
The web site is maintained by Corinne H. Smith, cataloging and reference librarian at Anna Maria College, Paxton, Mass.; csmith@annamaria.edu.
Thanks!
Corinne
Corinne H. Smith, cataloging & reference librarian
Mondor-Eagan Library
Anna Maria College
Paxton, Mass.
csmith@annamaria.edu
DOL Information about federal stimulus funds
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Libraries
Even before the “stimulus bill†was signed into law in February, librarians in Vermont and across the country were hard at work trying to make sure that some of this money gets to libraries. There are still many unanswered questions about this funding package and new information trickles in each week. DOL is in regular contact with State officials and also with the ALA Washington Office and other state library agencies and I will pass along news as it comes our way.
Some of the biggest money will come to the State of Vermont, in the “Stabilization Funds.†Most or all of that money that comes directly to the state will be directed to projects other than libraries. But there are other ARRA funding programs that are potential sources for us to tap. Read below for tips:
Public Libraries: make sure you are in communication with your town officials. Municipalities will receive a portion of the stabilization money and libraries could be eligible public projects.
The Beatles Had It Right
Sometimes we just need a little help from our friends. You may be a new librarian who feels at sea. Or you may have a library project or issue that you would like to talk with another professional about. The Vermont Library Association can help you connect with people who can help you out. Over a dozen VLA members from all over the state have agreed to act as a mentor for public librarians. Contact Lucinda Walker 802-649-1184 lucinda.walker@norwichlibrary.org if you would like to find a mentor in your area.
New Listerv for Librarians Who Work with Children and Young Adults!!
Hello, all:
Vermont now has a listserv especially for librarians who work with children and teens! We are calling it VTYAC to keep in line with PUBYAC, a long standing listserv for children’s and young adult librarians. This list will be a great way for us to communicate about programming, policies, issues, room set-up, stumpers, book selection, in fact anything that you want that has to do with youth services.
How do you join? Ask me to add you to the list! Just reply to this email, and you will be magically added!
Hope to hear from you soon.
Grace Worcester Greene
Children’s Services Consultant
Vermont Department of Libraries
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-6954
Fax: 802-828-1481
grace.greene@mail.dol.state.vt.us
Vermont Libraries featured in the Burlington Free Press!
Please read the full article at the Burlington Free Press website, and thanks to all the participating libraries:
Library Use Up as Economy Dives
by Matt Ryan, BFP Staff Writer, 3/23/09, Local News Section
FREE State-Wide Webinar: Creating a Customer-Focused Culture in Your Library
Open to all library staff, trustees, friends, and other interested parties.
April 24th, 2009 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Visit the NELINET Event Details for more information.
Contact C&SL Section President Larraby Fellows to RSVP
and to get login information.