We Celebrate Banned Books Week and the freedom to read what we want!

 

Books Unite Us Censorship Divides Us is the theme again this year for Banned Books Week and could not be more true in our world today. As you probably have seen in the news there are concerted efforts across the country to restrict access to books written by Black authors, LGBTQIA authors, and books with themes talking about racism or sexuality. And it's not just fiction being banned or challenged, books that are researched and presenting history and facts are also included. 

We encourage our students to read all books, and if they come across a book that they may not like, may not agree with, or may make them uncomfortable, to stop reading and find a different book. Not every book is for every family or student. But the book is for someone and we need to have access to books for all students. 

If you are interested in learning more about the current surge and coordinated efforts to ban books from schools and school libraries here are some things to read:

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision protecting students first amendment rights.

From PEN America - Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in Schools

From the American Library Association: Voters Oppose Book Bans in Libraries

From the American Library Association: Information on Banned Books Week that includes links to banned book lists.

Information on Intellectual Freedom from the American Library Association

Bring on 2022-2023 School Year!

We have had a really great start to the school year at Spring Harbor! 

As summer was ending the "corn kid" was all over the place on social media.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, you are missing out! But you can take a look at this libraries interpretation of the corn song which is amazing. 

One of the benefits of our schedule this year is that our students have many options during their hour long lunch/recess. One of those options is to come to the library!  We have been packed with students all lunch and recess long with over 50 students signing in yesterday (9/6). It is so amazing to see students coming in to check out books, to sit and read, and to see the library as a comforting space.  

As we get more new furniture in this year (we just added 2 booths) and continue to add to it in the next few years, we hope the library becomes more of a go-to space for students.