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Inspire your imagination, widen your world
Lithgow Public Library
Winthrop Street, Augusta, Maine
Newsletter October 2007
www.lithgow.lib.me.us 207-626-2415 Volume 8, Edition 10
Celebrate Banned Books Week!
By Nelson Eubanks, Systems Librarian
and Co-Chair Maine Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee
Please join Maine and national libraries in celebrating banned books week
October Events from September 29 – October 6, 2007. Banned books week is important to
Maine libraries because we are uniquely positioned to defend intellectual
freedom, guaranteed in our country by the first amendment of the Constitu-
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 —Toddler Time, 10 a.m., tion. Libraries promote intellectual freedom by providing free access to
Youth Services — Bring your toddler
(12 to 23 months) to this lap sit program. books and other media including those challenged and/or banned in certain
Sing songs, hear stories, and learn nursery communities. Banned books week is an excellent opportunity for Maine
rhymes while interacting with your child and libraries to remind the public that censorship challenges are a reality for both
other care providers. staff and users.
3 — Books and Flicks, 5:30 p.m.
According to the American Library Association most challenges directed at
3, 10, 17, 24, 31— Family Story Time, controversial books occur for three reasons; material is “sexually explicit”,
10 a.m., Youth Services — Stories, contains “offensive language” or is “unsuited to age group”. The group who
educational activities and art projects
most often challenges books is parents, and most of these protests occur in
4, 18 — Adult Computer Class, 9:30 a.m. school or public libraries. Outcomes of challenges depend on the individual
situation and are best decided by a process outlined in a “challenge policy”.
5, 12, 19, 26 — Incredible Infants, 10 a.m.,
Youth Services — Stories, songs, and finger
plays for infants and their caregivers Maine libraries have experienced banning attempts over the years and recent
book challenges mirror the trends mentioned above. In 2006 the novel Girl
8 — Library closed — Columbus Day Interrupted made headlines when it was challenged by a student’s parent at
Orono Public High school. The parent felt the book had “strong language”
9 — Allen Sockabasin, author of An Upriver
Passamaquoddy, 6:30 p.m., Reading Room and “vivid descriptions (source boston.com). Portland librarian and MLA
Intellectual Freedom co-chair Kelley McDaniel defended the book’s inclu-
9, 23 — Yarnies Knitting Group, 3 p.m. — For sion in a freshman English class during an interview by a local radio pro-
preteen and teen knitters and people who gram. McDaniel emphasized that librarians collect all types of media and
would like to learn how to knit! The group that the challenged novel was a notable book of the year. She also explained
meets every other Tuesday
how some librarians use acquisition policies that promote balanced collec-
18 — Page Turners, 6:30 p.m. — 4th to 8th tions, with the end result including materials possibly considered offensive
grade students and adults can take part in this by some. Other recent book challenges based in Maine include Catcher in
intergenerational book discussion. the Rye (Berwick, 2005, Paris, 1996) and Beloved (Madawaska, 1997).
23 — Conbrio music concert, 6:30 p.m.,
Reading Room The threat of censorship and its effects on intellectual freedom were of para-
mount concern when our country was founded. Drafters of the Constitution
25 — Halloween Craft Afternoon, 3-5 p.m., recognized that censorship is dangerous to a democratic system of govern-
Youth Services
ment and ensured the public’s right to free speech and press was protected by
26 — Bookworms Book Group, 1 p.m., the first amendment. Many libraries are logical defenders of the first amend-
Conference Room — Jane Eyre by Charlotte ment and intellectual freedom by promoting a wide variety of media items
Brontë including those most often challenged or banned. Having approved policies
29 — Dream Makers, 3:30 p.m. that promote diverse collections and allow for neutral review of challenges
Improvisation and creativity in this theater best serves both library and public interests. For more information about
workshop for kids ages 8-13 banned books week or to see a list of most commonly challenged books
check out the ALA website address below.
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm
Election Day is coming
Halloween Craft (November 6th)
Afternoon
Don’t forget to vote!
Family Story Time Themes
October 3 — Friends
October 10 — Fire Fighters
(with special guests)
October 17 — Fall
October 24 — Monsters
October 31 — Halloween
Celebrate Fire Prevention Week
at the Library!
Thursday, October 25
All Ages — In Youth Services October 7-13
3-5 p.m.
Free computer classes are available!
These one-on-one classes meet the first and
third Thursday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a Fall
Sign up at the main desk.
musical tradition
at Lithgow Public Library
Library Director
Elizabeth Pohl
Con Brio!
Classical String Quartet
Board of Trustees
Tuesday, October 23 6:30 p.m.
Joan Callahan Laurel Coleman
Suzanne Q. Finn
Con Brio! Is a traditional, classical string quartet celebrating
twelve years of studying and performing together. The members
John Finnegan Gabriella Howard
are adult musicians who share a love of studying, teaching and Susan LaCasse Paul Riese
performing outside their professional lives. Kirk Studstrup
The foursome has studied with members of the Portland String
Quartet, the DaPonte String Quartet and other national and inter- Library Hours:
national visiting artists.
The musicians are; Syd Sewall, violin; Diane Muckstadt, violin, Monday through Thursday
MaryEllen Tracy, viola; and Madelon Welch, cello.
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This program is free and open to the public. Friday and Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturdays during July and August
9 a.m. to noon
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