In addition to the fact that October is ISLM (International School Library Month), October is also Canadian Library Month! As Canadians we enjoy and benefit from some of the best libraries in the world. Canadian Library Month is a chance to celebrate all of our libraries, including Public Libraries, School Libraries and more. Go to the Canadian Libary Association’s CLM page to find out more!
October is International School Library Month. All over the world, people are recognizing and celebrating the powerful role that school libraries play in education. Come on in to the School Library at LTS, and continue to check back online, for more on our local celebration of International School Library Month!
Today’s reason: Books
Books. We have lots of books. Lots of free books that you can borrow. Lots of free books, that you can borrow, that have been chosen with you in mind.
If you are one of the hundreds of students who come through our doors every day, you know why you come to the library. For those of you who aren’t sure, check out some good reasons to visit the library, either in real life, or online!
September 21-27 is Banned Books Week in the United States, as established by the American Library Association. We can observe it in Canada too. We live in a society where we believe everyone should learn to read, that reading is important, and that people should have the right to read what they want to read. So many of our fundamental rights and freedoms are represented in the fight for educated, literate citizens to have control over what they read. Sadly, our society also has powerful forces that work against those freedoms. Sometimes those countering forces are well-meaning, hoping to protect us from lies, hate, propaganda and such. Sometimes these countering forces are even necessary, as we seek to protect children from pornography and other age-inappropriate material. Yet a free and vital democracy requires that individuals, not the state, determine what is acceptable reading material and what is not acceptable. Parents must be able to protect their children from the mistakes of society, yet the state must also protect children from the mistakes of their parents. There are no easy answers in all this, yet that is not a reason to shy away from this vital issue.
Let us know what you want to read. Go to our request page and tell us. We want to do what we can to get good books into your hands.
In a move that surprised many, the Surrey School Board this morning passed a motion which will close all the school libraries in Surrey. The district was under pressure from the Ministry of Education and the provincial government to make this move.
The school library at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary will be replaced by a Laboratory for the Testing of Hazardous Materials and Bio-Waste. Other schools will have their libraries replaced with different government and private facilities, such as a Motor Vehicles Branch at North Surrey, a Sewage Treatment Plant at Elgin Park and a Minimum Security Jail at Semiahmoo.
Said a provincial government spokesperson, “We had to. You got to find room for so much important government stuff. And, like, you know, nobody reads anymore, so whatevs.”
Many students and parents have reacted with shock and anger. Efforts are being made to mount a campaign to fight this outrageous move. Please be sure to phone or email the Surrey School Board and the superintendent’s Office of School District 36, your local MLA, the Minister of Education and the Premier to express your dismay and disagreement with this ridiculous decision.
Teachers and students are reminded that we have several new areas of the library designed especially for small groups to work together. Teachers can book the small group areas, or send down students with drop-in slips. Students on study blocks are also welcome to make use of the areas. Included are flat-screen TVs equipped with Apple TV. You can use your tablet/phone/ipod mirrored on the TV as a way to facilitate your group work. For more information, contact your friendly neighbourhood Teacher Librarian.
What is the biggest threat to our “Freedom to Read?” Is it censorship? Or is it something else? Perhaps it is apathy. Do we care enough about our rights and freedoms to do enough to protect them? Or perhaps it is simply the fact that not enough of us spend enough time reading.
“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” While this quote probably didn’t originate from Mark Twain, despite popular attribution to the brilliant writer, the sentiment is still worthwhile. We can teach our kids to read, but if they choose not to read, what then? We need to protect our “Freedom to Read.” It is vital to democracy. Yet the forces that would seek to erode our freedoms need not concern themselves very greatly if we simply fail to take advantage of our freedoms.
What do the following titles have in common?
All of these are titles which have been challenged. Somewhere in Canada in the past 30 years, individuals or groups have tried to have these books removed from schools, libraries and bookstores. The list of challenged authors includes Alice Munro, the 2013 Nobel Laureate for Literature.
This is the 30th year of Freedom to Read Week in Canada. Check out thirty years of posters. Go to freedomtoread.ca
This inspiring Freedom to Read Week video was made by Julia and Danika from the Calgary Science School, who won the Calgary Public Library Teen Freedom to Read Week Video contest. (source: freedomtoread.ca)
From freedomtoread.ca:
The Book and Periodical Council and its Freedom of Expression Committee are delighted to announce the 30th anniversary of Freedom to Read Week. A national celebration of freedom of expression that takes place in libraries, schools and arts venues across Canada, this year’s program runs from February 23 to March 1, 2014.
Incorporating public readings and panel discussions, challenged book and magazine displays and a kit for librarians and educators, Freedom to Read Week encourages Canadians to express their views about censorship and the right to free speech and opinion.
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 