What do these books have in common?

WHAT DO the Harry Potter books, Little Red Riding Hood and Of Mice and Men have in common.

They are all on the list of the most often Banned and Challenged books of the 1990’s and 21st century to date. In fact the lists read more like a book shop’s bestseller list, than a list of titles that people are unhappy with. Many h ave also been recognised as some of the most influential and important books, making it onto lists of recommended titles.

Some of the lists can be found online at Forbidden Library or at the American Library Association Banned Books week site

Internationally books that have been published and are acceptable in one country, are not in another. Many countries have banned David Irving’s books and he himself was banned from entering New Zealand in 2004 (find out more about that at http://www.fpp.co.uk/newzealand/index.html).

The publicity for Banned Books Week in America included this article from the Los Angeles Times (23 Sept)

GET hooked on a banned book. That's the American Library Assn.'s mantra for Banned Books Week, which begins Saturday.
Part of living in a democracy means respecting each other's differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read," Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement.
In 2006, there were 546 reported challenges to remove books from library shelves, most (61%) made by parents and most (71%) involving schools.Topping the list was "And Tango Makes Three," a tale of two male penguins parenting an egg from a mixed-sex penguin. Toni Morrison's novels "Beloved" and "The Bluest Eye" also made the list, but the most challenged books of the 21st century remain J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" novels.

A word of warning however. What caused a book to be banned or challenged in the past, may not be so radical or exciting today. While it is easy to understand the thought processes behind a challenge on George Orwell's "1984" or Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse 5", it is less easy to understand that "Black Beauty" and "Where's Wally" have both been the subject of bans at some stage.

What's on in the Library Tuesday 2nd October

Helensville

10.30 am Spring flower stories and fun

Mahurangi East

10.30 am Storytime – What’s hatching?

Orewa and Whangaparaoa

11 am Storytime for preschoolers

Last week was lots of fun in the libraries around the district. Kumeu and Helensville had enjoyable story and activity sessions, Julie reported that the Pyjama party on Thursday night was a lot of fun and there has been a lot of interest in Hendrina's Kindermusik sessions. Meanwhile our animal visitors (the lamb at Orewa and Peyton the guide dog puppy at Warkworth) were warmly received by both children and parents at their sessions.

Here's Peyton checking out the books with Warkworth children's librarian, Anne.

What's on in the library today?

If you look out the window and see the same weather as I do then you'll know it's a perfect day for the library.

Here's what's on today

Helensville Library and Service centre
Storytime for preschoolers 10.30 am

Kumeu Library
Storytime for Preschoolers 10.30 am

Warkworth Library
Storytime for Preschoolers 10.30 am

Orewa Library
"Spring into Spring - Stories and activities" 2 pm

Plenty happening next week in the Library

School holiday programmes continue in the Rodney Libraries next week.

If you wanting to plan here is a quick run down of what is going on and where.

Monday 1st October
Helensville 10.30 am Storytime for preschoolers
Kumeu 10.30 am Storytime for Preschoolers
Warkworth 10.30 am Storytime for Preschoolers
Orewa 2 pm Spring into Spring - Stories and activities

Tuesday 2nd October
Helensville 10.30 am Spring flower stories and fun
Mahurangi East 10.30 am Storytime – What’s hatching?
Orewa 11 am Storytime for preschoolers
Whangaparaoa 11 am Storytime for preschoolers

Wednesday 3rd October
Kumeu 10.30 am Spring garden stories and fun
Orewa 2 pm Spring into Spring – Stories and activities
Warkworth 10.30 am Watch them grow – Garden stories & fun
Wellsford 10.30 am Storytime for Preschoolers
Whangaparaoa 11 am Storytime for Preschoolers
Whangaparaoa 2 pm Indoor games

Thursday 4th October
Helensville 10.30 a, Spring garden stories and fun
Orewa 11 am Rhymetime
Warkworth 10.30 am Storytime for Preschoolers
Wellsford 10.30 am Watch them grow – stories and activity
Whangaparaoa 11 am Rhymetime
Whangaparaoa 2 pm Dogs are your Friends with Craig

Friday 5th October
Whangaparaoa 11 am Free Music & Movement with Hendrina

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND EVERYONE.

Louise Nicholas Book

The effects of the Louise Nicholas trial ranged from tidal waves to ripples and are still being felt around the country.

On Monday Louise Nicholas' book "My story" hits the bookstores. In this book Louise Nicholas tells her story of a teenager whose abuse first began when she was a 13 year old and continued throughout her teens. Award-winning journalist Philip Kitchin's investigations into the cover-up of Louise's complaints led to the establishment of Operation Austin. Louise's story is interspersed with Philip's story detailing his investigations into the case. The result is a fascinating read with wider implications for the way we view the police in this country. Public interest in this complex and sorry tale is huge and this has been further piqued by the damning findings of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct and the outcome of the Dewar case.

Rodney Libraries will have the book on our shelves, hopefully by the end of the week. In the meantime, if you would like to read it you can request it either online at our website or ask at your local library.

If you would like to hear Louise speak, there is an event on Tuesday which may interest you.

AN EVENING WITH LOUISE NICHOLAS
'Celebrate Louise's courage, the publication of her new book LOUISE NICHOLAS: MY STORY, and the changes she is bringing about in NZ society.
TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 8pm
Dorothy Winstone Theatre, Auckland Girls' Grammar School, Howe St, off K'Rd
Tickets $20 waged, $15 unwaged from The Women's Bookshop.
Visa & Mastercard bookings accepted by phone 3764399, email books@womensbookshop.co.nz, or website.
A DONATION from ticket sales will go to RAPE CRISIS and THE AUCKLAND SEXUAL ABUSE HELP FOUNDATION.