Banned Books Week

According to the American Library Association:

"Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society."

Want to see the Library's selection of Banned Books? Check out our display near the main entrance. Some of the titles may surprise you!

New Furniture in the Silent Zone

Brand new furniture has been added to the Silent Zone on the upper floor of the Library. Whether you prefer to stretch out at a table, the intimacy of a carrel, or a big overstuffed chair for your silent studying, the Silent Zone now offers it all. Even better, many of the tables and carrels are now equipped with pop-up power modules to power your laptop and other electronic devices. No more crawling on the floor looking for an available power outlet!

Meet Jim Gallagher

Jim Gallagher, the author of the new graphic novel, The Adventures of Jason and the New Argonauts, will give a talk at Parkland on Wednesday, September 28 at noon in C118. Afterwards - about 1:00 - you can come to Parkland Library and buy his book ($12) and get it signed by the author. We have a display of his book in the library right now, so check it out. You can read more about the event here: http://gds.parkland.edu/pros/gallagher/index.html. And then read an interview with the author at: http://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/an_interview_with_jim_gallagher

Parkland College Library's Semi-Annual BOOK SALE

HUGE Book Sale in the College Center

Monday, September 19 - Wednesday, September 21
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

All books are 25¢ each!!

Over 4,000 books available. Topics include:

• History
• Politics
• Heathcare Professions
• Geography
• Construction
• Foreign Languages
• Fine Arts
• And much MUCH more!

How much for each book? 25¢!! Really? Don't lie. Nope, we're not lying. Each book is only 25¢!

Everyone is welcome. Come one, come all!

Please bring a bag.

Library Computers - sometimes academic use only

Yes, it's true. There are times when we have many more students wanting to use computers for class assignments than we have computers. When that happens, we put up a sign that says, "Academic Use Only" and we also make an announcement, so you'll know. We really want everyone who needs a computer for online library resources and to work on a class assignment to be able to use one. So no Facebook or other social networking sites during these "Academic Use Only" times. Please help your fellow students out by respecting these limits.