Beginning Friday, the Scranton Library is thrilled to announce the launch of a monthly reader's advisory blog for Madison Patch called "The Scranton Page Turner" written by staff member Christopher Jennings Penders.
Reader's advisory service is the formal name we librarians give to the practice of recommending books to readers and when I came up with the idea for a blog I knew Chris had to be the one to write it. Not only is he already a veteran blogger but he reads voraciously across genres. There is many a librarian who would be envious of his encyclopedic knowledge of books and authors. As "front man" at our circulation desk, Chris can often be heard discussing books and authors with library members who seek him out for recommendations and he has told me more than once this is one of his favorite things about working at the Library. While I still encourage you to come down and get book recommendations in person, I hope this new blog will provide Madison residents with a convenient way to get great new reading suggestions to satisfy every interest and taste.
For his first blog Chris is addressing the issue of censorship in time for the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Banned Books Week which runs from September 30 - October 6th. Unfortunately, censorship continues to be an issue for libraries as according to the American Library Association, there were 326 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2011. The American Library Association, as part of its 50 State Salute to Banned Books Week, asked each state library association to produce a PSA highlighting the importance of this annual observance. Check out the Connecticut Library Association's wonderful contribution featuring Carl DeMilia, President of CLA, reading from "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" at the Mark Twain House and Museum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j7QUhzRjGgE
Happy Reading!
-- Chris