Freedom to Read Week @ Alpha

This week is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. It’s an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about their intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In other words, it’s a week to fight censorship. Come by the library to see our display which features many books that have been banned in Canada or the United States over the past 50+ years.

Or check out this list of books that have been challenged (someone has tried to ban them) either in a library or at a school. Many of the books on this list are now considered classics, like Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mockingbird. How many have you read?

Interested in learning more? Visit the website here or come by the library this week to look at our display and check out a banned book.

 

 

Book Swap December 18

Do you have books you’ve finished reading and don’t want anymore? Why not give them a second life by donating them to the Alpha Book Swap? The Book Swap will take place on December 18th at lunch. It’s a great time to find new books to read over the winter break, or you might even find a gift for someone special. All books at the swap will cost $1, or 1 ticket.You will receive 1 ticket for each book donated. Please see Ms. Haigh for more details.

Murder Mystery Event

Come by the library to try to solve the murder of Miss Terry the Library Assistant (display on now until November 1st). There are three suspects: The Librarian, The Head of Science, and The Head of English. But who did it? How did they do it? And why? Think you know the answer? Submit your detective report to Ms. Haigh by 3pm on Novemeber 4th to be entered in the draw for a chance to win a delicious prize!

Introducing: Board Game Fridays

Need something to do to unwind at the end of the week? Stop by the Library Learning Commons at lunch and play some games with your friends. Games are available any day to play, but on Fridays the Makersapce room is reserved for students so that you can eat your lunch while you play!

Freedom to Read Week 2018

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event in Canada, and aims to shed light on intellectual freedom. Every year books are challenged across Canada for various reasons, from sexually explicit content to obscenity, to religious viewpoint. To better understand how books get challenged you can check out the great infographic here.

Currently the library has a display of various books that have been banned somewhere in North America within the last 100 years. Take a look at the titles and you will notice a number of classics, many of which are taught in today’s English classes.

 

For more information about censorship in Canada and to see the list of 30 modern books that have been challenged visit the Freedom to Read website’s resource section.

 

Alpha Reads 2018

With the beginning of semester 2 comes the launch of our new Alpha Reads! 10 amazing titles have been chosen that include sci-fi, fantasy, realism and everything in between.
The books in Alphabetical order by author are:
Remember to take a ballot and enter our draw every time you read one of the 2018 titles. There will be a weekly Friday draw for small prizes as well as a GRAND PRIZE draw in May. So get reading!

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. If you would like more information on LGBTQ+ life or issues, we have a number of excellent non-fiction books on display in the library. We also have a display of novels which feature gay, bisexual or trans characters. For more information on what this day is about, check out the IDAHOT website, this pdf,  or stop by the library!

Freedom to Read Week

 

 

 

This week is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. It’s a week where we celebrate and think about intellectual freedom. It is something that is guaranteed to us under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and censorship is something that directly violates this charter. Sadly books have been challenged and banned in libraries across North America.

 

So, why is Freedom to Read Week important?