Quote for Banned Books Week

"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."
~ U. S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas (in 1953)

Banned Books Week, September 23-30

2006 marks the 25th anniversary of Banned Books Week, held during the last week of September each year. This event celebrates the freedom to read, and reminds Americans not to take this precious freedom for granted.

According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, the following books were the ten most frequently challenged in 2005:

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris; Forever by Judy Blume; The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger; The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher; Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds; What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones; Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey; Crazy Lady by Jane Leslie Conly; and It's So Amazing: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris.

New Books

Some of the new fiction titles we've added to our collection:

Fool Me Once, Fern Michaels; The Book of Fate, Brad Meltzer; Ricochet, Sandra Brown; Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen; Suite Francaise, Irene Nemirovsky; The First Cut, Dianne Emley; The Brambles, Eliza Minot; The Ruins, Scott Smith; The Emperor's Children, Claire Messud; Armageddon's Children, Terry Brooks; Brookland, Emily Barton.

And new nonfiction:

Grayson, Lynne Cox; Overcoming Life's Disappointments, Harold S. Kushner; In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind, Eric R. Kandel; The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer, Philip Carlo; Meals Made Easy: Quick and Delicious Recipes for Every Night of the Week, Renee Schettler.

Several of these titles already have OWWL Holds on them, so if you'd like to read them while they're still "hot off the presses," call 483-9292 or stop by the Library to add your name to the list. Next time you visit, ask a staff member to show you how to place your own Holds online. It's easy, painless, and really quite exciting to see how efficiently the system works. See you soon!

It seems impossible to me, but it's true - this blog is one year old today! I hope that it has provided a worthwhile service, and that it continues to grow in usefulness and readership.

CHEESE!

At yesterday's Books-Sandwiched-In, Joann Toner explained how CHEESE can help us keep our brains alive no matter what our age; i.e. Challenging leisure activities, Humor, Exercising physically, Exercising mentally, Strong social networks, and Eating healthy. Thanks, Joann, for a fun and very informative talk.

Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting

The September meeting of the Library's Board of Trustees will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 14th. All Board meetings are open to the public.

September Friends Meeting

The September meeting of the Friends of the Sodus Free Library will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, September 13th, following our Books-Sandwiched-In. We hope that many of you will be able to join us.

September Books-Sandwiched-In

Have you ever opened a cupboard door and then struggled to remember why? Walked to another room to get something, and had to retrace your steps to remember what you were after? (I hope I'm not the only one who does these things!) Help is at hand. Come in and sign up for our first Fall Books-Sandwiched-In, scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, at noon. Joann Toner will present "Keeping Your Brain Alive!" giving us lots of ideas on how to exercise our minds. Reservations are required; $3 per person is charged to cover a lunch of assorted sandwiches, homemade pie, and coffee or tea). Don't forget to stop by the Library at 17 Maple Avenue, or call (315) 483-9292 to reserve your spot!

New DVD Titles

Stop by the Library to pick up one of our new DVDs: Akeelah and the Bee, Brother Bear 2, Game 6, Inside Man, Lost - Season 1, 30 Days, V for Vendetta. If they are checked out when you come in, simply pick up one of our "Circle the Video" sheets, circle the titles you'd like placed on Hold, and turn the sheet in at the check-out desk. We'll call you when the DVD is in for you.

The Most Important School Supply

September is a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. The observance was launched in 1987 to meet the challenge of then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, who said: "Let's have a national campaign ... every child should obtain a library card - and use it." Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each Fall in a national effort to ensure that every child does just that.


"Your library card is your ticket to a world of opportunities. Get it, and use it at your library."
~George Lopez, actor, comedian, author, and 2006 Library Card Sign-Up spokesperson

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend. If Ernesto's rain prevents you from enjoying the outdoors, stay in and lose yourself in a good book.

Click here to hear a message for your family from actor George Lopez!

Magic Kit Drawing

Congratulations to all of our readers from preschool through 9th grade for reading a total of 32,265 minutes during our six weeks of Summer reading. That is totally amazing! The totals by team were:


Diamond Team (1st - 3rd grade) - 10,490 minutes
Sapphire Team (7th - 9th grade) - 8,591 minutes
Ruby Team (Preschool-Kindergarten) - 6,830 minutes
Emerald Team (4th - 6th grade) - 6,354 minutes

The Diamond Team definitely blew the other age groups away, so today we put all of their Time Trackers into a drawing for the magic kit. Donated by David Moreland at our Books: A Treasure! kick-off program in July, the "Classic Mysteries of the Master Magicians" kit includes everything needed to perform over 75 illusions. And the winner is - insert drumroll here :) - Jair V. Congratulations, Jair! We hope that you enjoyed the programs you attended and the books you read, and hope that you come in to show us some of your magic tricks.

We want everyone to remember that books are full of treasures, so even though you're done keeping track of minutes read (at least until next Summer!), visit us often, check out some great books, and keep reading!

Deadline Approaching

Remember that Thursday, August 31st, is the absolutely last day to turn in your Books: A Treasure! Time Trackers and Reading, Family and/or Vacation Bingo cards. It is also the last day for prize winners to pick up their prizes (although I think there are only 1 or 2 of you who haven't already rushed in to choose something from the window!).

Labor Day Closing

The Library will be closed Saturday, September 2nd, through Monday, September 4th, for the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen with regular hours (noon - 8 p.m.) on Tuesday, September 5th.

Final Week's Prize Winners

The prize winners for Books: A Treasure! Week 6 are:

Preschool-9th Grade - Addison B., Karly F., Kerri G., Moriah G., Jaylan J., Jeannette S.; and 10th Grade-Adult - Valeri M.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners. We hope that you had as much fun this summer as we did, and that you keep reading just for the love of it.

Summer Reading Finale

Another treasure of a program today, as The Meatballs performed their musical program with lots of audience participation (including a conga line through the building!).


Remember, minutes you read through this Saturday all count for this week's Time Tracker. The Trackers and any completed Bingo sheets are due back at the Library by August 31st. As of today, the Ruby Team (1st-3rd graders) is way ahead on total minutes read - 7,280 with one week to go! Have fun as you finish up your sixth week of reading for Books: A Treasure!

Friends of the Sodus Free Library Meeting

Our Friends group will be meeting this Thursday, August 17th, at 4 p.m. These meetings are open to the public, and we're always looking for new members!

Prize Winners for Week 5

Congratulations to our Week 5 prize winners:

Preschool-9th Grade -- Kevin B., Jr., Ella C., Kayleah G., Beth G., Max L., Kelsey S.; 10th Grade-Adult -- Brigitta L.

Programs for Week Number 6

The last five weeks have sped by, and we've come to our last week of Books: A Treasure! The following activities are planned:

Monday, 10:30-11:30 a.m - Story Hour
Tuesday, 1-2 p.m. - Share-A-Book Reading Club
Wednesday, 7-7:45 p.m. - PJ Storytime - stay for milk & cookies!
Thursday, noon-1 p.m. - Picnic - Bring your sandwich, and we'll have pretzels, juice, and freeze pops
Thursday, 1-2 p.m. - Finale musical program with The Meatballs, Bob Pezzolesi and Blair Frodelius