Banned books to take center stage during week

Controversy may not be the first word you think of when you hear the word library. Perhaps you are more likely to think of the words conservative or conventional, or even claustrophobic quietness. But, libraries all over the country embrace controversy and even observe a national week in honor of it.

Typically held on the last week of September, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. It draws attention to current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. Teachers, booksellers, publishers, librarians, journalists and readers of all genres come together to support open access to ideas, even those that may be considered unpopular or unorthodox by some.

Banned Books Week came about in the 1980s after the Island Trees School Disctrict v. Pico (1982) Supreme Court case ruled that school officials can’t ban books in libraries based solely on their content. Despite that historical success, books continue to be banned and challenged.

According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, the top ten most challenged books of 2018 were:

- “George” by Alex Gino

- “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller

- “Captain Underpants” series written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey

- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas

- “Drama” written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

- “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher

- “This One Summer” by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

- “Skippyjon Jones” series written and illustrated by Judy Schachner

- “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie

- “This Day in June” by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten

During the week of September 23-28, you will find a special Banned Books Week display near the Information Desk at the Sandpoint Library. It will feature some books that are currently challenged, information about censorship, and bookmarks for you to keep. There is also a collection of children’s book cover images on display in the Gilmore Family Children’s Library. Located on an end cap of one of the book shelves, you may be surprised to see some of the titles that have been challenged over the years.

Banned Books Week highlights the individual rights of readers and parents to access and choose books without limitations imposed by others. Books continue to be banned and challenged, but your local libraries of the East Bonner County Library District strive to provide open access to books and other materials for patrons of all ages, even if that puts us at the center of controversy.

The following classes and events take place at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar St. unless otherwise indicated.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — RPG and MAC (Role Playing Games and Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., in the Innovia Founda-tion Community Room B. Teens play Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and other RPGs. Celebrate fandom at The Library. Read, write, and watch your favorite manga and anime with other enthusiasts. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, Sept. 23 — Open play, roller coasters; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Karen’s Room. This is a drop-in STEM-inspired “What can you build?” challenge. Younger children should have a parent present. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. in Karen’s Room. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, rhymes, and music for toddlers and their caregivers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Clark Fork Storytime, 11 a.m., Clark Fork branch library. Stories, music, and crafts geared to ages 3-8. All welcome. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays and Thursday, Sept. 24-Oct. 3 ­— Loom Knitting, 3:30-4:45 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Registration is required for the four-part series. Free family fun; third- through sixth-grade students will make a knitted hat to keep. Information/registration: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesdays — Crafts in the Garden, 2:30 p.m. in The Library Garden. A different garden-inspired craft each week. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesdays — Teen Lounge Passive Pop-Up Programs, 3 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday Sept. 25 — 3D Printing Community, 4:30-6 p.m. in the VR room. Drop in the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month to join us at our 3D Printing Club. Collaborate with others and learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. A few laptops will be provided or you may bring your own device. Open to all ages and skill levels. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Thursday, Sept. 26 — KRFY Morning Show, Library Teen Services with Kimber; 8 a.m. at 88.5 FM radio. Join the KRFY Community Radio Morning Show for an interview with Kimber Glidden, The Library’s Teen Services coordinator, to find out what’s on tap for teens over the next few months.

- Thursday, Sept. 26 — “The Public”, film screening and discussion, 5:30-8 p.m.; free screening of the film “The Public”, written and directed by Emilio Estevez. This film raises important questions regarding the issue of homelessness in the community, which will be addressed in a discussion following the film. Discussion guests will include Library Director Ann Nichols and Joanne Barlow, program manager of the Bonner County Homeless Transitions. Information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Friday, Sept. 27 — Firefighter Storytime, 3:15 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Come to storytime, then visit the firetruck outside. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Friday, Sept. 27 — Teen special programming, Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS, 4 p.m. Emergency staff from Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS will present information and experiences geared to teens. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays until 6 p.m., and Fridays until 5 p.m. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org, or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Knuffle Bunny” by Mo Willems at Dover City Park and “School’s First Day of School” by Adam Rex at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

- Now through Sunday, Dec. 1 — Clark Fork Autumn Reading Program — for all ages. Read between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 and record the name of each book, full magazine, or book on tape with the author’s name. For each completed item, earn a library bidding dollar for use in the Holiday Silent Auction held on Dec. 6 and 7. Information: 208-266-1321.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.