Now that we have the internet, I think the definition of “gonzo librarian” has changed. Hipsters with cute clothes and beards (on some) are crawling out of the woodwork. How does an aging librarian compete? I got a tattoo. My wife turned 50 last year and decided to mark the milestone with a tattoo. She … Continue reading Locked Up with Vonnegut, Day Two
Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, says that librarians and teachers often feel frustrated by these efforts to restrict the scope of reading. “More and more, they are reaching out to our office for support because they’re feeling silenced by their administrations,” she says. “While the fear of … Continue reading Banned Books Week Roundup 2015
Hosting a tour of the installations showcased on the first and second floors of the library, Matthew Mann, MLK library associate and curator of the exhibit, says the exhibit was organized to underscore the library’s commitment to the rights of freedom of speech and expression. Several artists focused on potential threats to personal privacy posed … Continue reading MLK Library’s Tribute to Banned Books Week
It’s such an honor to be here. To be asked, to be included, to be this close to Kurt. I look around and I see a lot of the things that made me who I am—books, Kurt, a library, a growler of “Kilgore Stout” (thanks, Books & Brews!). And several people with whom I share … Continue reading Locked Up with Vonnegut, Day One
Banned Books Week, September 27–October 3, celebrates the idea that the freedom to read and access ideas can transform lives, but when books are banned, readers are blocked from seeing all viewpoints and perspectives. Because so many books that include racial issues and diverse characters are challenged, it is particularly important that we create public … Continue reading Don’t Take the Freedom to Read for Granted
What led you to write about growing up in Iran in the late 1970s and the period after that? The first time I left Iran for Austria I was 14 (that was 1984), and I heard people with all kinds of prejudices—especially about countries like mine. It was really the most sensational stuff. They were … Continue reading Newsmaker: Marjane Satrapi
