Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same

Banned Books Week is September 25 - October 2, 2010

Celebrate your freedom to read by checking out a challenged or banned book during the 29th annual Banned Books week.

Come to the library and check out our display of books that have been challenged, restricted, removed, or banned from a school or library. While you’re here, pick up a list of ways you can stay informed and challenge censorship. These include participating in public hearings, writing letters to public officials, and just participating in Banned Books Week.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, in Texas v. Johnson, said, “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.”

Come in today to educate yourself on censorship issues while finding something enjoyable to read.

See a list of challenged or banned books in 2009-2010, and visit the American Library Association web site for more information.

You're Eligible for a Free Upgrade!

Are you a fan of the Academic Search Premier database?

Well, there's good news and bad news. The bad news: it's going away.

The good news: something bigger and better is replacing it!

Say hello to Academic Search Complete. It uses the same search interface but offers 7,923 full text journals--3,283 more than the old database!

We hope you enjoy your upgrade.

New Science Databases

Hey, science folks, heads up!

Last summer, we were looking over the list of databases to which the library subscribes. We realized we could be doing better for folks in the sciences.

That's why we've added two new databases to the lineup.

SciVerse ScienceDirect provides access to peer-reviewed journals covering physical, life and health sciences. The Lancet, Cell, and Materials Chemistry and Physics, are just a few of the more than 2500 journals you can search.

NetAnatomy is an image database featuring radiographic, cross-sectional, and gross anatomy.

Enjoy! And as always, if you need help with access or searching, don't forget to Ask a Librarian.

Read and Succeed

This week, the library teamed up with Parkland's Adult Education Department to put together a display of library materials, booklets, statistics, and other information to highlight the Adult Education and literacy needs of our East Central Illinois community.

Why? We're in the middle of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, September 13-19. The needs are real. And since you can read this, you may be able to change other's lives by helping them find the basic education and training they need.

Do you think your ability to read this post means it doesn't matter to you? Consider the impact of these facts on the national economy, and our local community:

• One in five adults in the United States has not completed high school (U.S. Census).
• One in seven U.S. adults cannot complete a job application, read to their children, understand a prescription label, or complete an election ballot. Eleven million cannot communicate in English (National Assessment of Adult Literacy).
• In Illinois, 13% of adults lack basic prose literacy skills. In Champaign County, home of Parkland College and the University of Illinois, it's 8%. (National Assessment of Adult Literacy).

If you or someone you know needs a hand developing basic skills for life and work, check out the Adult Education Department. They offer free GED and ESL classes, tutoring in reading and basic literacy, classes to help develop basic computer skills, and more.

Like to Read Magazines?

Tell us your favorites!

We occasionally like to refresh our magazine collection. There are so many magazines out there it's hard to choose.

Help us out. What magazines do you like to read?

Click the comment link to let us know!

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Closed for Labor Day

The Parkland Library will be closed Labor Day weekend. We'll reopen at 7:30 am Tuesday, September 7th.

A big Thank You to all the workers, in the library and around Parkland College, who serve the students and community. Enjoy your barbeques and the fine early fall weather!