On August 9, we posted information about an April 2010 banning of the 2008 Campus Read book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, in Stockton, Missouri. The book won numerous awards, including the 2007 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.
The Stockton R-1 School Board has now scheduled a special meeting on September 8, 2010, to discuss removing the book from the curriculum and the library.
For more details, visit the Cedar County Republican.
Norma (Swensen) Groethe, President Larry Skogen, Carolyn Twingley
Norma (Swensen) Groethe, daughter of Dr. Walter J. Swensen, the first dean and one of the founders of Bismarck State College (then Bismarck Junior College), presented a book of her father’s personal papers related to Bismarck State to the BSC Library Archives on August 24, 2010. Norma’s son, Mark, and his wife, Anita, were also in attendance.
This gift helps tell the story of the early years of Bismarck State College and we are delighted to have it! The book will be housed in the Library’s Archives collection.
Do you have a piece of BJC/BSC history? We welcome your gifts.
Anita Groethe, Mark Groethe, Marlene Anderson (Director of Library Services), Norma (Swensen) Groethe, Carolyn Twingley (Archives Librarian), President Larry Skogen
What’s new at the Library? Take a look at all the new media we’ve added to the library collections this summer:
Check them out!
North Dakota is bucking another trend … at least for now. Other states are not so fortunate.
Public libraries around the country are closing or laying off staff, reducing hours, or otherwise suffering from the economic downturn.
Why does it matter? Can you do anything about it?
Check out LosingLibraries.org to find out more.
We look forward to the start of a new semester and working with you! Do take advantage of all the library has to offer.
Library Hours, August 16-22
Beginning Monday, August 23, the Library will observe these hours during fall semester:
***Note: Sunday hours, including open lab hours, will begin on Sunday, September 12.
Interim/holiday hours and other changes are posted or are available by calling 701-224-5450 or 1-800-445-5073.
Check out this clip on ‘Bronze Orientation Day.’ Guaranteed to make you laugh!
Listening to this story on NPR‘s All Things Considered struck a nerve. It’s why I believe in libraries and the work we do as librarians. Listen for yourself:
Escaping the Summer Heat in a Bookmobile by W. Ralph Eubanks
In 2008, the BSC Campus Read selection was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. It was popular with students, faculty, and staff and led to great discussions on campus. Alexie also visited campus and gave a presentation to a standing room only crowd at the Belle Mehus Auditorium. In fact, he invited people who couldn’t find seats to join him on the stage and sit there. His presentation was fun and funny as well as thoughtful and reflective.
In April, the school board in Stockton, Missouri, voted to remove Alexie’s book from the school. In July, they voted to reconsider their original motion. At their August 18 meeting, they will schedule a date for a special meeting to discuss the suitability of the book and answer in writing five questions posed by the school board.
For all the details, click here to read the story from the Cedar County Republican. Included in the posting are links to letters sent to the school board by the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom and a joint letter from the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Library Association, and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.
Your thoughts?
Nominations for 2010 stay open through September 20.
For more details, visit I Love Libraries.org
Click here for ALA press release.
Read it! Read it! 