Banned Books Week Begins and Here's Where Its Happening!

Banned Books Week is here again.  Banned Books Week was created to highlight the censorship and "celebrate the freedom to read."  Materials across the country are challenged for containing sex, language and themes some may find offensive.  As librarians and responsible people, we serve the public and our communities with materials that reflect their values and beliefs, but there must be room for other ideas under every roof.  Stocking these materials, these "banned books," should not be seen as going counter to your public.  Stocking these materials should be seen as showing your public that there is a place that all humanity can exist, even in their town, that there is room for other ideas that may run contrary to their own.

Plus, it is really awesome to watch a little old lady with purple hair and a punk rock chick with a pink mohawk bond over the same copy of the Wuthering Heights.

Here's a bunch of links from across the country about BBW (I just noticed the initials and laughed out loud.) as well as some starter links with those not familiar.  If you have a link for an event or a comment about Banned Books week, comment below or submit here.

ALA
Banned Books Week website
ALA Article
Frequently Challenged Books

Events and Articles:
University of North Carolina Wilmington
King's English Book Shop
Louisiana State University
Republic, MO
Bellingham, WA
Huffington Post + Challenged Books Infographic
Washington Depot, CT
Danville, CA
Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor, MA
Davenport, IA
Eastern Iowa
Alameda, CA
San Francisco, CA (and City Lights)
Tuscon, AZ
Anderson, SC
Ocean County Library, NJ
South Bend, IN
Victoria College, Houston, TX
Alamogordo, NM
Montpelier, VT

Good Illinois Article from PJStar

Library News: Here's A Bunch of Links

If you thought I was lazy about posting before... whoo, buddy hold on.  Here's a list of stuff that I could not think of anything funny to say about for more than a sentence.  Most less than that.

Boston Public Library has job fair kinda thing.

Carnegie-Stout Public Library limiting access to patron purchasing power.  When "suggestions" become demands it is time to cut the cord.

Manchester County opposes library addition.  Well, times are tough.

Allen County librarians get a raise!  Finally, a good story!  Yay!

The Linebaugh Library System gets $10K for youth tech grant.  More good news.  Hope this all does not end in heartbreak.

Alachua County unveils remodeled library with quiet room.  This is like Christmas!

WorldCat adds Italian public library records.  International Christmas!

Spokane Public Library hosts Technology exhibit.  Online Christmas!

Yakima Valley Regional Library blocks porn.  Well, at least it is a little understandable.

Washington County Library branches might reopen on Mondays!  Good!  We are back!

Stanford Libraries have Medieval Exhibit!  I am ambivalent, but go history!

Hinsdale Library adds artwork, because ART!

Birmingham Library Friends preserves Jim Crow map.  Well, if you can't look back, you can't move forward.

Argentine Library in Kansas City get a new library.  This is the best best news day ever!  But why does Argentina keep their library in Kansas City?  Hell of a commute.

Manchester Library gets a bucket of money to make archives a transformer.  Or transform archives.  Whatever.

Alamogordo Public Library Story Book Wall turns 50.  Heh, "Alamogordo."  Heh, heh.

Frankfort Public Library building permit fees will not be waved.  Take that one, new stuff for the public!

University of South Carolina get rare Hemingway materials.  Rare, indeed.

This library guard is a wrestler.  I just liked this one.

Museum of the Cats does not want to share space with Friends bookstore.  Spoiler Alert: They made up.  Still going.

Clifford turned 50.  This should have been in book news.

Here are the mystery news links of the week.  Will they be interesting?  Will they be boring?  Am I just doing this because I have somewhere to be and need to finish this post in the next five minutes?  Find out by clicking the links:

Mystery Link 1
Mystery Link 2
Mystery Link 3
Mystery Link 4
Mystery Link 5

Book Stuff: Publishing All the Rest From This Week

This week in book news, all the news that's fit about print that I was too lazy to write about.

50 Shades of Grey author will not tell who's in the movie.  How about Amanda Bynes?  What happened to her?  What's she been up to?  googlegooglegoogle... Holy crap?! What the hell happened to her?

Neil Patrick Harris to write memoir.  Yep.  Lots of Doogie and Barney and dancing/singing stuff.

Lois Lowry ends Giver book series.  Hint:  I think he dies.

Huh... Was there other news out there flooding the publishing world that I didn't cover here?

eBook Stuff: Getting, Giving and Loaning For This Week

Hey, so I can't be everywhere at once, especially with the digital news coming out, I gathered all the links of the big stories in ebooks that came out this week.  Enjoy.

Hernando Libraries are to loan out Kindles.  Because that sounds like it will be cheap and have no problems.

Prologue Books to release around 400 pulp fiction ebooks by the end of the year.  Sounds like Tarintino is back on cocaine, allegedly.

Great British Chefs and Kikkoman putting out recipe books.  I really wanted a good political thriller from these guys.

Law Library: Masturbating, Fired, and Jailed

Here's all the crime that happened in and around libraries,  library environments, or tech that probably will or have involved the courts in some way:

Librarians in Conway Public Library file grievance against restructuring that could get them sacked.  Let's hope more paperwork will fix the situation.

St. Elmo ex-librarian steals $50,000 worth of materials and gets little jail time.  Because, hey, it's only a library.

65-year-old former library employee arrested for stealing $800,000 worth of books.  She took one page a day for her entire life.

Some guy called a library asking about '50 Shades of Grey" and made it his own sex line.  This is why I do not read books to people over the phone.

New York woman tracks down stalker through Google, sues him.  This is why I do not read books to people over the phone, too.

Platform 9 3/8ths: Rowling and The Book

I am going to go out on a limb and bet most anybody alive in the last week has heard that J. K. Rowling, author of You Know What, released a new book.  I got tired of typing her name after one article, so I started collecting everything I read and decided to make a little story about it.  Here you go:

Once upon a time, in the land of Eng Land, there was a billionaire author, J. K. "Joking" Rowling, who decided to write a new book that had nothing to do with the books for which she was known.  Feeling the burden of progress, Joking decided to write some sexy, drug stuff and would not apologize for it.

When The Book came out, the first viewers looked once, then looked twice and were turned into the dreaded "Reviewers," friend or foe a billionaire can never tell.  The First Reviewer cast down the mighty Joking.  Despite this, The Book was set to make history in the form of money.  Conservative Reviewers called The Book "leftist screed."  Then, The New Yorking Timers Reviewers gave their word, and it was displeased.  Finally, the Huddled Masses Reviewers said it was cool by them.

The Library began to set up shop to dispense the book to the public, expecting long waiting lists.  Moms were especially excited, tired of all that kid wizard shit*.

During the furor, Joking claims that the books that every loved may becoming back, probably to get away from the fact that The eBook was expensive.

Then, disaster struck.  eCopies of The eBook, given away to first buyers of The Paper Copy Book, The eBook was broken.  One assumes people were on that.

One also assumes the billionaire Joking went about her life.

*Kid Wizard Shit is my hip hop name.

Article Seems Proud That 'Only' Thirteen Books Were Banned in Texas This Year

I am not sure about the tone of the article linked below.  A blog post from the Houston Chronicle, the article makes note of Banned Books Week while also saying that this is the lowest number Texas communities have banned in a decade.  Is this pride of some kind of slight progression or a surprise that this is still going on.  As a blog post, the tone is ambiguous, at least on the first quick read through.  Here's some stats they quote:

"Most books land on the banned list because of sex, profanity, nudity, violence, religion, race and/or politics. Asking parents to sit down and read the titles that concern them before making official complaints in writing has helped streamline complaints and bring the numbers of banned books down, Burke says.

Some titles on this year’s list were banned by elementary schools because the content was deemed too mature for young students. In some cases, administrators recommended the books be taught in upper grades in the same district."

I applaud bringing awareness to the cause, whatever the intention.  I also applaud the Texas education system for educating parents as well as children.  Hopefully next year the number will be zero.

Books banned in Texas public schools, 2011-2012 - Houston Chronicle (blog)

Kentucky Encourages Reading with Licence Plates

Kentucky introduced a new "Kentucky Reads" licence plate to support public libraries in the state.  The campaign celebrates the continued usage of public libraries in Kentucky.  To get a hold of the plate, all you have to do is move to Kentucky and pay $25. 

What to do with this story?  As a Mississippian, a state known for our illiteracy rates as much as our writing, I can not go for the obvious reading joke.  Horse and bourbon jokes also seem uncouth, because, well... those things are awesome.  Part of me just wants to find a picture of Mr. Ed with a book, but I am lazy and writing this from a tablet and that would be a pain in the ass.  Ooo!

I hope this does not encourage reading while riding on your drunken horse.

Aaaand, Thank you.

New license plate encourages drivers to 'Support Kentucky's Libraries' - The Lane Report

Author Torrent's His Book, Google Disables His Ads

Google disables ads on blog after author Cody Jackson linked to a torrent on his blog to his self published book.  Jackson gives away the book, Learning to Program with Python, in both ebook and paperback editions and uses ad revenue from Adsense to generate income.  Google felt the link violated their terms of piracy of copywritten material, so they disabled his ads.  The case has since been resolved, but the issue raises interesting questions about Google's customer service policy.

On one hand, you can not blame Google for having a catch all policy about copywritten material.  They handle millions of accounts every day and can not police all of them personally.  However, it would be nice if the company could put some folks to work answering the phones.  I just hope by writing about this, my own ad space is not threatened, but I guess that would be evil which is also against Google's policy.

Google disables ads on author’s website for torrenting his own book

Penguin Group Sues Writers, That's One Way to Promote Self Publishing

Penguin Group is seeking repayment of nearly $577,000 paid to writers in advance for the promise of books.  The odd part that most are noticing is the low amount they are looking to recoup, all under $100,000 and one around the $12,000 mark.

Now, I know that to some of you that sounds like a ton of money.  Hell, that last amount alone could change my way of life significantly (Hint: I'd buy top shelf bread rather than the day old stuff.)  But as the article linked below points out, think about the professional writer who looks at that money not as a boon, but as half to a year's salary while he/she toils over their manuscript.  

So why is Penguin Group trying to get that cash back?  Are they doing the literary equivalent of checking under the seat cushions for loose change?  Do they have a book deal on the horizon that may just change their budget?  Say, how's that new Rowling book doing...  "I wonder if she'd do another Harry Potter," he implies pointedly.

Penguin Group Sues Writers Over Book Advances - Businessweek

New Jersey School Librarians On the Way Out?

The number of New Jersey school librarians and media specialists has shown a decline in recent years.  The Philiadelphia Inquirer reports:

"Over the last five years, the number of certified library/media specialists in New Jersey public schools has dropped by almost 15 percent, according to the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, whose own membership has been cut almost in half.

There were 1,580 certified specialists statewide last year, down from 1,850 in 2007-08, serving about 2,500 schools."

Fifteen percent in five years.  Following the trend, there will be none in twenty-five years.  Or some, but they won't be happy. A baker's dozen overworked librarians checking out the same copy of Cat in the Hat to eighth graders, or whatever they read at that age.  Think about that, New Jersey, if you can read this.

Also, why did I have to get this from a Philadelphia news source?  Have they let go all the New Jersey reporters, too?

N.J. school librarians are reduced in volume - Philadelphia Inquirer

United Kingdom Asks, "Wha's Dat eBooks Lending All About, Then?"

The United Kingdom is looking for ways to lend eBooks in libraries. Cultural Minister Ed Vaizey had this to say:

"E-lending is currently in its infancy but growing fast. Just as e-readers are transforming the way people access books, e-lending could help transform the way people use libraries"

Ain't it just amazing how information and information type issues just go viral around the world?  I mean, here we are, down of a new millenia, and people are coming up with more problems for themselves.  Am I right?  Boy, this reminds me of when my grandpappy used to talk about PUTTING FUCKING BOOKS IN LIBRARIES.  

Sorry, but this is a pain in the ass topic for me.  I get all the issues.  The publishers want to make sure they get paid, the authors want their books out there and the libraries want to share like they always have.  It just hurts to keep reading the same articles over and over again.  One step forward, two steps back.  Blah, blah, blah.

UK government looks at ways to put ebooks in libraries Via Library Stuff

Californians, Go Tell Your Teacher's and Bosses You Won't "Friend" Them

Californian governor Not-Schwarzenegger signed two bills on Thursday that prevents companies and universities from asking individuals to release their social media login information.  The state marks the first to pass such laws.

Is it sad that we have to tell companies this?  I know in this day and age you do not want your employees bad mouthing your brand to the whole world, but it was the same back in the day when the "whole world" was just Main Street.  If a person is that much of an embarrassment, odds are they will do something that warrants firing or kicking out sooner or later.  Hell, you let them in, dumb ass.  And honestly, this is not that hard to police and most cool companies will be okay with it.  Check this out: Fuck the Banned Library.  Yep, still here.

Update: The Banned Library does not endorse any opinion or commentary section contained in this post.

California schools, employers banned from social media snooping - Reuters

Library Assistant Arrested After Bringing Books Back to Library

After bringing library books back late, a full-time library assistant at the Easton Public Library in Easton, Conn. has been arrested.  The director of the library, Judy Baldino, says the assistant, Nancy Harris, has a history of checking out books on hers and her children's library cards and not returning them despite her children not being eligible to have library cards in the area.  Harris has since brought back most of the materials and been granted early retirement.

So when does drama in the workplace extend into legal matters?  I cannot and will not speculate on what kind of soap opera bull-hockey that has happened behind the scenes that lead to the cops being called in, but I can bet something akin to a family feud has been brewing for a while to get this to go down.

Arresting library assistants for abusing their power?  That's what they do!  I get that it is hard to let go of a pain in the butt employee in a public library environment, but getting criminal charges to do so?  I think these folks need Dr. Phil to sit them all down for some good old fashion communication.

Trumbull woman arrested for returning books late to library - Ct Post:

Darwin Fungus Found in Cambridge University Library

The Cambridge University Library found a sample of seaweed collected by Charles Darwin from his famous "pick up random stuff" expedition on the Beagle.  As the article states:

"'I was going through a box labelled in 1950 ‘to be sorted,' said Chief Technician Christine Bartram.
'Inside it, wrapped in a newspaper from 1828, I found fungi and seaweed collected by Charles Darwin on the Beagle Voyage in South America during 1832 and 1833."

What is more exciting, finding 190 year old plant bits or a 190 year old coupon for three farthings off a head-hole drilling?  I find this story fascinating in that when a archivist normally finds fungus in a collection, the solution is a healthy dose of Lysol, but not when it is famous person fungus.  Oh, no.  That's the good fungus.  That's the stuff we keep, yeah buddy. 

And yeah, I know that the guy kinda made a big deal in the world of fungus and evolutionary science.  Big whoop.  This is almost equivalent to finding Hemingway's pencil shavings or Madam Curie's radon sample.  An oddity and kinda cool in context, but the kind of materials that they throw out at the end of Storage Wars.

Cambridge librarian finds forgotten fungus Charles Darwin brought back on the ... - Daily Mail

Adult Entertainment Actress to Write Erotic Novel

Adult entertainment actress Sasha Grey is working on a new erotic novel called "The Juliette Society."  That's the whole story.

Well, that's honestly the logical conclusion to the current trend.  I am surprised this has not happened sooner, what with "write what you know" being a major tennant of the writing craft.  Ian Fleming wrote about spies and sentient cars, Stephen King writes about killer shit in Maine, why not have a porn star write about the beast with eight backs, four fronts and something called "The Zamboni Surprise"?  I hope this starts a trend with Mary Carey writing a political erotic theory about running for the governor of California.  Shit, Arnold Schwarzenegger already did that.

Sasha Grey Joins Erotic Novel Brigade with Juliette Society

Columbia University Gathers Intelligence on X-Men

Columbia University has gathered the notes of writer Chris Claremont that were hidden in a closet in his apartment.  The items include notes on characters , including the hero Wolverine and the villain Magneto.

Despite clicking on the link below, the Banned Library could find no rhyme or reason why Columbia University would wish to gather information from such a prestigious crime fighting team.  One can only reason that the university is hoping to use this information to help the team in their strategies rather than for ill means.  We can only hope they do not make this information available to the Brotherhood of Evil.

Columbia University Gets "X-Men" author Chris Claremont's Notes

Tig Notaro Writes Stuff Because Cancer Is a Wussy

Tig Notaro, notable comic and writer, has reportedly signed a book deal with Ecco to be released in 2015.  The book, if it is anything like her stand up, will be a collection of dry, witty essays about her life.

I would like to take the time to come up with a few titles for Ms. Notaro's consideration:

Tig, starring Tom Hanks
The Taylor Dayne Story: The Life of Tig Notaro
Poems and Shit
Mysteries of the Undergrowth: Breast Cancer Edition
Stop the Winnie the Pooh Jokes
Tig-Life
Tig Notaro: Cancer Slayer

Thank you, Tig, for all the great comedy you have given us, and I hope you live a long and healthy life.

Comic Tig Notaro, post-cancer, gets book deal - Los Angeles Times:

The Atlantic Wire

Comic Tig Notaro, post-cancer, gets book deal Los Angeles Times Comic Tig Notaro will publish a collection of humorous, autobiographical essays with Ecco in 2015, the publisher announced Tuesday. Notaro, who has had her own 30-minute special on Comedy Central, has written for TV, has been heard on "This American ... People Still Want to Ban Books in High Schools; Tig Notaro Has a Book DealThe Atlantic Wire Interview with JK Rowling, Tig Notaro bookUSA TODAY all 7 news articles »

Swedish Library Bans Tintin, Then Does Not

The Swedish library of SomethingIcantpronounce banned the books of Tintin for issues of "Afro-phobic" and other race issues.  During Banned Books Week.  Needless to say, a media poopstorm from around the world zoomed in and they redacted the decision.  Librarian Steve Clickthelinkforhisrealname said that while the issues were relevant, banning the book was a bad decision.

Sooooo.... Yeah.  You really can not do that anymore.  Banning books, I mean.  You can disagree with them, you can not read them, you can even put them so far back in the library that it takes a road map, GPS and a Sherpa to find them, but you cannot ban books.  As much as I dislike the Twilight and 50 Shade books, I still check them out to any and everyone that asks for them because that is what a library is for.  Intellectual freedom, even if it is stupid, should be a library's goal.  Taking materials away from your patrons, researchers, students, and crazy teenage girls is wrong.  I hope that's the last time I have to say that, but probably not.

Tintin OUT, then IN at Swedish Library

JK Rowling In A Master's Degree Slump?

After the New Yorker gave JK Rowling's new book "The Casual Vacancy" a "lukewarm review," I was forced to think of another term for "the sophomore slump."  While, yes, the previous term applies as this is her second outing in the land of fiction, when the first outing is an award-winning* seven book series, one can hardly call the author a "sophomore."  So, after being lauded with praise for nearly fifteen years, I grant Ms. Rowling a Master's degree in writing, getting her out of the undergraduate program entirely simply for the fact that she could buy and sell me ten times over and I do not wish to wake up with a chocolate frog on my pillow as a warning.

To comment on the article in question... What the hell did you think was going to happen?  She had years to get the Harry Potter books down, before when writing it and throughout the years as they were scrutinized by the world.  Anything thrown out, especially for adults, is going to be less than perfect.  The audience is less defined and expecting the whimsy of the original series.  I hesitate to say this, but her editor may have Stephen King disease, wherein the editor dares not edit the original manuscript of a literary god as he or she would for your average typewriter monkey.

*Did the Harry Potter series ever win any awards?  I say yes, in my heart.  It won my heart.

JK Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' gets a lukewarm first review - New York Daily News (blog)

Voting in the Public Library, and Not for American Idol

The San Antonio Public Library has started a drive to register voters in the library.  I know we make a lot of jokes here, but voting really is important, you guys.  Every voice counts, especially in this election season.  Because that's when voting happens.  During the election.

Don't look at me like that.  I bet someone out there looked at their computer screen sideways for a second and wondered what the hell I was talking about.  "Ain't no voting yet, just the judges.  Shit, I know when Simon Belmont and [whatever popstar] pick who's gonna start with the singing and such.  Then the Ryan Secrets is gonna tell me, 'hey, y'all call in.'  And you bet your ass I will."

To the person who thought all that and made it this far:  May God and the Spaghetti Monster have mercy on your soul.

Libraries willing, able to register voters - San Antonio Express:

Libraries willing, able to register voters San Antonio Express Voting is one of our most precious rights and most important responsibilities. The electoral process gives every citizen a voice in the conduct of our government. Sadly, according to the Bexar County Elections Department, in the 2008 general election ...

Google Play Books App Thingamajig Updates

The Google Play Books Android App has updated to include now standard features of other ebook reading apps.  Matching the Kindle App and... other ebook apps, Google Play Books now allows highlighting and commenting of content, features that have been available only on the desktop version in Google's Chrome browser.
Finally, no longer staring with futility at electronic text, wishing you could tell that book what you really felt.  No more sleepless nights unable to remember that one sentence of Twilight that really pissed you off.  Google has once again liberated the masses, offered the ability electronically that any asshole with a pen could do with a normal book.  Halelujah, we are saved.
Also, the Apple version of the app has not been updated with these features, so they can suck it.  If you are reading this on an iPhone/iPad, I of course do not mean you. 
Google updates Android books app to match rivals - CNET (blog)

MacMillan Finds eBook Lending Bandwagon, Jumps On

MacMillian, one of the two major publishing companies that does not offer ebook lending, has stated they are in development of an ebook lending program.  The company says they hope their new program will satisfy all involved with the books they offer, also adding that they value libraries.

Translation:  They are losing a butt load of money because of ebook self publishing and hope this new program will invigorate stagnant sales in the library demographic that they alienated.  Libraries are the only groups buying books in both bulk and consistency and by not offering lending the publishing giant is missing out on all that cash they could be getting.

Remember when drive-in movie theatres dominated the American landscape as the way to watch a film?  Neither do I.  I grew up in an age where I could sit in the air conditioning and watch a movie at any point in the day or night.  So as it is with the new generation, growing up getting their books on any and every device and if the stagnant publishing companies do not hurry up and get a move on they will be just another wistful memory.

MacMillan to Pilot E-Book Library Lending Program - Digital Book World

College Students Complain About Art Book With No Pictures

A Toronto college art class is requiring students to buy an art textbook that has no pictures.  The book has brought up the concern of college freshman not being able to afford the books their classes require, a viable concern when both textbooks and tuition are on the rise.

There's two things in this story that give pause for reflection.  One is the viability of a college education for a liberal arts student.  Unless you plan on teaching, college might not give you more education and experience in the Internet age for that painting and writing career you dream of.   The best it can give you is a work ethic, the constant focus and drive to complete project after project under deadlines.  Of course, if you do not have the desire to be as prolific with your art or the desire to seek out a mentor among the hundreds of online communities, this may be a key that you are not destined to make a living at that art and should not waste your (or, let's face it) your parent's money on a liberal arts degree.

The second is how the hell do you teach an art class with no representation of the art you are talking about?   Even theory and history of art need a representation of the various mediums and styles to get the point across.  This would be like a literature class learning The Great Gatsby by listening to instrumental jazz.  I can only imagine the class is about writing about art which is often more pretentious than the art itself.

Art book without pictures raises perennial issue of pricey textbooks - Waterloo Record

Smooth and Sooth Those Page With New Scanner

The IRIScan Portable Scanner Book 2 has been released that both scans and smooths the pages of books.  While conventional scanners caused worry and grief as pages bent inward away at the spine, this new scanner uses both witchcraft and wizardry to correct the unsightly image of the bent page.

The Banned Library newsroom did not reach out with anyone even partially connected with the release of the scanner and only half skimmed the article linked below, but we can tell you it might work great.  We did, however, talk to a copy of the Encyclopedia Brittanica Volume 13, 1911 edition and it had this to say:

"Personally, as a book, I welcome anyone touching me, but if I have to be digitally rendered because of my delicate, easily destroyed design, I want this scanner to do it.  I can't wait to feel the light brush against my pages, up and down, left and right, gently caressing me until... Oh, yeah, scan me, baby.  Flip me over and scan me again."

The newsroom was stunned at the scanner's capabilities and the liberated nature of a book published in such a repressed time period.

Handheld scanner smoothes pages of books - Baxter Bulletin

Waldo Turns 25, Thinks He Should Have Gone To College

The popular "Where's Waldo" franchise turned 25 recently begging the question, "What's next for Waldo?"  We caught up to the man of the hour who had this to say:

"I don't know... More hiding?" he said, "You know, everybody's always asking where I am, but I'm right here.  I never try to hide.  I'm just really good at blending in, you know?  No one ever sees the real me.  My dad always wanted more from me... Expected me to join the Army... Then this whole thing happened and... I don't know.  I'm tired of blending in.  I want to stick out.  I might go back to college.  Restaurant management or something.  I want everybody to say, 'Hey, there's Waldo!' you know?"

We wish Waldo all the best and another 25 years.

25 years of asking, Where's Waldo? - Aiken Standard:

Seattle Post Intelligencer

25 years of asking, Where's Waldo? Aiken Standard Where's Waldo? He won't be difficult to find once the 25th anniversary kicks off for the bespectacled, and beloved, children's book character. England will get the global party started Thursday night, when it lights up its popular tourist attraction ... Where's Waldo today? He's celebrating a milestoneDetroit Free Press Classic Media Celebrates 25th Anniversary of WHERE'S WALDO?Broadway World all 24 news articles »

Banned Books Week Grows Nigh

The annual time for the banning of the book and the not liking thereof approaches.  Batten down the hatches, it's going to be a bumpy September/Octoberish time of year.

Banned Books Week Highlights Censorship in Reading - Patch.com:

Bellevue Reporter (blog)

Banned Books Week Highlights Censorship in Reading Patch.com The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is an opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week ... Students, faculty embrace banned booksMiami Student Banned Book Week to celebrate literary freedomMonett Times Hispanic Heritage Month and Banned Books WeekBellevue Reporter (blog) Livingston Daily -BlueRidgeNow.com -The State Journal-Register all 19 news articles »

Banned Library Turns Two

Two years ago today, I published my first real post to this blog, How to Deal With an Unruly Patron.  You can read it, but I would not recommend it.  It's mostly the product of an unruly mind expressing itself and trying to make somebody, anybody laugh.

Not that I have gotten any better, but at least there is a little more focus these days.

Anyway, I'll keep this short.  Thank you everyone who has read this blog.  Thank you for sticking with it when I stopped updating for a time.  Thank you for sticking with it, even through my rants and raves.  Thank you for reading.  You can never know how much it means to me that you do.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, let me know below, on Twitter, on Facebook, on Tumblr, on Google+ or by emailing me.  Carrier pigeons or owl also accepted, if you can find me.

Also, this is not today's only post.  Dave's wedding will be up later tonight.  And if I may say so... I'm not saying anything.

And yes, Mom, I will try to keep the swears to a minimum.