Think & Write

Banned Book Week and What it All Means

During the week of September 27th - October 3rd, libraries and readers fight literary censorship by celebrating Banned Book Week.  The word "banned" isn't necessarily the most accurate word to use, however, since most of the time novels are challenged.  The difference is banning a book makes it or a portion of the work unavailable.  Banning a book requires the work (or sections of the work) to be taken off shelves and renders readers unable to enjoy it at all.  This is an issue in the fact that it then acts as a form of censorship.

Challenging a book means that someone has deemed the book "inappropriate" (in their opinion) and by doing so are asking a library or book provider to remove the content.  These organizations are not required to make the material unavailable if they feel that it doesn't meet the criteria for banning a book.  

 A book can be challenged / banned based on the following guidelines: 

• Racial Issues -- about or encouraging racism
  
• Encouragement of "Damaging" Lifestyles -- including drug use or homosexuality
• Blasphemous Dialog -- using the words "God" or "Jesus" as profanity
• Sexual Situations or Dialog -- talking about sex in any form
• Violence or Negativity -- promoting either of these things or having characters act violently; some books have been considered too depressing 
• Witchcraft or sorcery -- anything having to do with the realm of magic
• Unpopular Religious Affiliations -- books that talk about the opinions or ideas of "unpopular religions"  
• Political Bias / Agenda --  works that support extreme political parties or ideas
• Age Appropriateness -- books that have content that is considered too mature or adult for the age group that it is geared towards  

Many popular and classic books have found their way on the banned / challenged book lists.  Clockwork Orange, for example, had the final chapter of the novel banned in America.  Because of this, the ending of the film is NOT the same ending as in the novel. 

Other novels on the list include (but are NOT limited to):

• The Great Gatsby for language and sexual references
• Their Eyes Were Watching God for sexual experiences
• The Harry Potter Series for political agenda and witch craft
• And Tango Makes Three (a juvenile non-fiction book about two male penguins adopting a baby penguin) for homosexual relationships and same-sex marriage
• The Captain Underpants series for offensive language and age appropriateness
• A Light in the Attic (a collection of poems by Silverstien) for promoting disrespect and violence

Since 1982 there have been over 11,400 books challenged and/or banned and it is still a common occurrence in 2015. 

You can fight censorship by reading banned works throughout the year, but especially during Banned Book Week. 

Library Activites for October

REOCCURRING MONTHLY PROGRAMS 
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- The Addison Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 1 p.m. -- October 5th  Engage in conversation about monthly books with other avid readers in the area. 

- Stop in for a yummy snack at the Britton Library on Monday's at 3 p.m. 

- The Onsted Book Club meets the second Monday of every month beginning at 2 p.m.--October 12th.  You can pick up each month's book at the Onsted branch.  

- Family Storytime takes place every Tuesday morning at 10:30.  The program is for children birth - 3 years old with a caregiver.  Children will enjoy engaging stories and participate in fun song-and-dance activities.  Occasionally there may even be an extra special craft project. 

- There is a monthly board meeting held at the Main Branch every third Tuesday of each month beginning at 5 p.m.  These meetings are open to the public.  It is a comfortable place where you can voice your opinions / concerns about the library and its operations.  

- The Lenawee Book Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m.  --October 27th

- The new Genealogy group will be meeting the forth Tuesday of each moth at  6:00 p.m. at the main branch. -- October 27th

- The Wonder Worker Book Club gathers the third Wednesday of every month at Deerfield.  This month's meeting is October at 6:30 p.m.   

- Patrons can pick up a treat at the Onsted (3 p.m.), Clayton (4:30 p.m.) and Deerfield (3 p.m.) branches on Wednesday afternoons.  

- The Onsted Storytime program is every Thursday at 11 a.m. 

- The Addison Library will have snacks every Friday at 3 p.m. 

- The writing group INK. meets the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the main branch.  The group is for creative writers ages 16 and older. 

- The Lenawee Weavers meet the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. - noon.  Weavers of all expertise are encouraged to join.  Get feedback and advice on current projects, or assist someone less skilled than yourself.  There will be no weavers in August.

- On the third Saturday of each month, the Lenawee Knitters meet.  The group is a combination of skillsets and ideas; it is a great place for those who love knitting to come and be surrounded by like-souled individuals.  Meetings take place at 1 p.m. until approximately 3 p.m.

- The monthly book sale takes place the fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.  There are hundreds of books, magazines, VHS tapes / DVDs, as well as puzzles to purchase for $1.00 or less.  Donations for the book sale are also always welcome. 

SPECIAL OCTOBER PROGRAMS 
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- The Library will be having two self-defense classes:  Edged Weapons (10/5) and Firearms (10/12).  Both will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the main branch. 

- There will be a special movie night at the main branch on Thursday October 8th starting at 5:30 p.m.  We will be showing the film "Insidious", and it is for ages 16+. 

- Stop by the main branch on Saturday October 10th at 3 p.m. for a family friendly movie.  Bring the kids along for a fun afternoon at the library.  

- The Addison library will be having a Game Day on October 15th at 3 p.m. 

- We will be having a unique program on Thursday October 15th at the main branch beginning at 6 p.m. entitled "Michigan Shipwrecks: Mysterious Unsolved Disappearances".   Come out and learn all about the vanishings that have happened in the Michigan region, ranging from ships to people and planes.  

- The Onsted Library will be having a Wii, Movie and Treats Day on October 21st. Patrons can play games against one another, watch a fun movie, and enjoy a yummy snack before picking out a book for the week! 

- Join us at the Deerfield Branch on Wednesday October 21st @ 3 p.m. for a scary good time!  There will be a Halloween party featuring games, treats and goodies to take home.  Dress up and show off your costume for the year.  

- Are you one of those people that love the paranormal, especially the idea of ghost hunting?  Want to talk to real-life ghost hunters and find out what it takes the track spirits?  If so, the main branch will be having local ghost hunter group FREAKS on Thursday October 22nd at 6:00 p.m.  The team will share stories of their adventures and give insight on what sort of equipment is needed for a hunt of your own. 

- Join us at the Addison Branch on Friday October 23rd at 3 p.m. for a scary good time!  There will be a Halloween party featuring games, treats and goodies to take home.  Dress up and show off your costume for the year. 

- Join us at the Britton Branch on Monday October 26th @ 3 p.m. for a scary good time!  There will be a Halloween party featuring games, treats and goodies to take home.  Dress up and show off your costume for the year.  

- Join us at the Onsted Branch on Friday October 23rd at 3 p.m. and the Clayton Branch at 4:30 p.m. for a scary good time!  There will be a Halloween party featuring games, treats and goodies to take home.  Dress up and show off your costume for the year.

- Stop on by the main branch on Thursday October 29th at 6:00 p.m. for the library's annual Halloween Party!  Play games, win prizes, enjoy a snack, and show off your Halloween costumes.  

September 30th

NATIONAL CHEWING GUM DAY

Pop a piece of chewing gum into your mouth to show appreciation on National Chewing Gum Day!  

Fun Fact:  Humans have been using a variant of chewing gum for the past 5,000 years, although initially it was made from bark tar.   

September 29th

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY

This is perhaps the day that most people celebrate EVERY day.  It's the day we lift up a steamy cup of Joe in celebration of September 29th.  Maybe you like it with extra sugar.  Perhaps cream is your thing.  Or do you go straight from the pot to your mouth?  Whatever it is, take a extra minute to appreciate the energy booster. 

September 28th

GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY

Take a moment today to knock on your neighbor's door and simply say hello.  Or take them a delicious homemade treat.  Sit on the porch and get to know them a little better.  However you chose to celebrate, make sure you put in a little extra effort to be a good neighbor today. 

September 27th

CHOCOLATE MILK DAY

Enjoy a yummy, refreshing, chilly glass of milk today to celebrate September 27th.  Dip some cookies into it if you're feeling adventurous.