Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week
September 30 – October 6, 2012

Banned Books Week 2012This year marks the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week, a week used to recognize our freedom to read and to call attention to attempts to challenge that freedom.  Banned Books Week is especially celebrated in the library community. This is not surprising, given that libraries have a long history of, and commitment to, providing unfettered access to information and ideas.

Last year, libraries across the United States reported 326 book challenges to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The 2011 top 10 most frequently challenged books included:

  • The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins (Reasons: anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence)
  • The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (Reasons: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group)
  • Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (Reasons: insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (Reasons: offensive language; racism)

If you’d like to learn more about banned and challenged books, take a look at this special timeline – 30 Years of Liberating Literature – or visit the Frequently Challenged Books website. One of the ways in which you can show your support of Banned Books Week is to participate in the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out.  The Read-Out is a way for readers from around the world to participate in the 30th anniversary celebration of Banned Books Week by posting videos to a dedicated YouTube channel.  In this video, several well-known authors discuss their favorite banned books.

We hope you’ll take a moment this week to reflect upon your freedom to read.

Have You Heard About Our Research Guides?

What do you do when don’t have time to ask a librarian for help? Where do you turn when the Reference Desk is closed? We recommend you use our online library research guides.

Library research guides are available for a number of popular research topics, course assignments (like GB 214 and GB320), and common questions. The guides are designed to help you locate the best resources for your research. Research guides can answer questions like:

The entire collection of library research guides is available at http://libguides.bentley.edu/, or just look for the link on our homepage.

Library Research Guides
Look for the Research Guides link on our homepage.

If you’d like to suggest a topic for a library research guide please comment on this post. Don’t forget, you can Ask a Librarian for help 7 days a week! Visit us in-person at the library, send us an email (redesk@bentley.edu), use our chat widget, or give us a call  at 781.891.2300.

Learn About Downloadable Books at Our Overdrive Clinics

mobile devicesHave you checked out our Overdrive collection recently?  We’ve been busy adding downloadable ebooks and audiobooks – including current bestsellers Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdie and Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon, perennial favorites by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, Michael Crichton and John Irving, and classics by Jane Austen and Bram Stoker.  Simply log-in to Overdrive to view our Newest Additions or to browse the ebook and audiobook collections by genre.

If you haven’t already set-up your laptop, Kindle, iPad, NOOK, smartphone or other device, we’d love to help you get started. We are holding two drop-in clinics next week to answer questions about Overdrive:

Overdrive Downloadable Books Clinics

Monday, October 1
2:15PM – 3:15PM

and

Friday, October 5
11:30AM – 12:30PM

No RSVP is required – just come to our classroom (lower level, room 11) and we’ll be there to lend you a helping hand! If you bring your device with you we can help you with the initial set-up or troubleshoot any problems you’ve been having. We hope to see you there.

Sharpen Your Skills at the ESOL Center & Writing Center

Tutors at the ESOL Center (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and the Writing Center have the knowledge, experience and expertise to help you improve your writing skills.  Although the centers don’t officially open their doors until next week, they are already accepting appointments online via their websites.

ESOL Center – Opens September 10

Looking for help with writing, presentations, pronunciation and conversation enrichment? Come to the ESOL Center. Bentley University students whose home language is not English are invited to take advantage of the free tutorial services offered by Bentley’s ESOL Center.  Students can schedule an appointment online call 781.891.2021 to make an appointment, or drop in to see if a faculty tutor is available.  Hours of operation:

  • Monday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM 8:30PM [revised 9/11/2012]
  • Tuesday: 10:00AM – 6:30PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00AM – 8:30PM
  • Thursday: 10:00AM – 9:30PM
  • Friday: 10:00AM – 2:00PM

 Writing Center – Opens September 12

Writing Center staff are available to provide one-to-one assistance with writing skills. Students can drop in during open hours, schedule an appointment onlineor call 781.891.3173 to make an appointment. Hours of operation:

  • Monday-Thursday: 10:00AM – 10:00PM
  • Friday: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
  • Sunday: 6:00PM – 10:00PM

Start the semester off right by utilizing these valuable these resources. Both centers are located on the lower level of the library.

Now Showing in the Art Gallery: Kat Ely

We’re kicking off the fall semester with a new installation in The McGladrey Art Gallery – Seeds and Spores by artist Kat Ely. All are invited to attend an opening reception for the artist on Wednesday, September 5, from 5:00PM-7:00PM. There will an artist talk and Q&A session taking place at 5:30PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Kat Ely
Seeds and Spores
August 28 – September 28, 2012
http://www.katelyart.com

Opening Reception:
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
5:00PM – 7:00PM
Artist Talk and Q&A at 5:30PM

Kat Ely / Ganoderma applanatum
Ganoderma applanatum; red oak, glass; 37.5″x13″x13″; 2012