On the evening Tuesday, September 10, RILA, along with the partnering Cumberland Public Library, kicked off the statewide initiative for the Geek the Library marketing campaign with a fun and festive event.  Attendees were able to learn more about the campaign while also getting a chance to enjoy some fun activities. 

These activities included making Geek the Library pins and Geek the Library posters highlighting what it is that they actually geek.  There was a special room set aside for library staff members in attendance to share what their libraries were doing in mini-brainstorming sessions.  Staff overseeing the sessions collected the results and will be sharing them on the Geek the Library Page on the RILA website.

The library also converted its art gallery in the Edward J. Hayden Center into a geek theme by showing Geek the Library posters created using library staff, members of the Friends of the Cumberland Public Library, and members of the library's Anime Club.

Food, which was catered with a generous discount through Panfilio's, included tasty treats such as Swedish meatballs, fruit, and a variety of Panini.  Desserts were catered by Cumberland Public Library's own Denise O'Brien. Dave's Marketplace donated money to help pay for the drinks.

During the event, the proclamation from Governor Lincoln Chafee declaring the week of September 8 as Geek the Library month was read aloud.  Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee was in attendance and seemed truly impressed by the enthusiasm of those in attendance.  He was so impressed that he has asked the Cumberland Public Library director, Celeste Dyer, to speak about both Geek the Library and everything else the library is doing in the community before the town council in the near future.  This proves that the Geek the Library campaign is not only fun, but also good add helping the library be noticed as a valuable community asset.

Thirty-five public libraries and two college libraries are participating in the Geek the Library campaign.  The campaign also includes support by celebrities such as the Farrelly brothers, author Ann Hood, actress Mena Suvari, Wall Street Journal columnist Walt Mossberg, Congressman Jim Langevin, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Providence's dancing cop Tony Lepore, and baseball Pawtucket Red Sox mascots Paws and Sox, who have all provided images to be used for Geek the Library posters and other materials.

What if someone told you that you weren't allowed to read a certain book. That they had decided, for whatever reason, they didn't think it was appropriate, not only for you, but for anyone. Would you disagree with them? Would you read it anyways? Would you tell them that people have the freedom to read what they choose?

Across the country, hundreds of challenges are made against books every year. In 2012 alone, 464 were reported to the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom. There are a variety of reasons that books are challenged. Some are viewed as containing content that is inappropriate for the intended age group (such as teenagers). Some are challenged because a reader disagrees with the content on moral grounds. Other titles might be seen as having too much violence, swearing, or racism. In 2012, the most books that were reported as receiving the most challenges were:

1. Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey
   Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited for age group
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
   Reasons: Offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group
3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
   Reasons: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, sexually explicit, suicide, unsuited for age group
4. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James.
    Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit
5. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson.
    Reasons: Homosexuality, unsuited for age group
6. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
    Reasons: Homosexuality, offensive language, religious     viewpoint, sexually explicit
7. Looking for Alaska by John Green.
    Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group
8. Scary Stories (series) by Alvin Schwartz
    Reasons: Unsuited for age group, violence
9. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
    Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit
10. Beloved by Toni Morrison                                            Reasons: Sexually explicit, religious viewpoint, violence

For all the challenges that were raised against these and other titles, the Office of Intellectual Freedom claims that there are many others that aren't reported.

As librarians, we are often seen as the gate keepers to books and information, and many challenges arise out of a person's concern, particularly in public libraries, that materials are freely available to anyone, regardless of content. When faced with a challenge, what can we do to support people's freedom to read what they choose? Here are several key steps that can help:

• Be sure to have a clear collection development policy for your library, as well as a procedure in place that outlines what to do if the library receives a challenge. Does the challenger have to put their complaint in writing? Present it to the director? To the Board of Trustees? Having clear and well stated guidelines will aid in explaining why a certain book is part of your collection.
• Take time to listen to the person's complaint. What is their actual objection to the title in question? Don't give personal judgment, but acknowledge their concerns.
• Be sure not to be dismissive, or to revert to library jargon and terms in your explanation of the role of the library and its collection in serving the needs of all members of the community.
• Give the person copies of the challenge procedure, complete with what steps they will need to follow to lodge a formal challenge, as well as how much time it may take to consider and resolve the issue.

 These are just a few basic steps on how to be prepared for a book challenge, the ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom offers many other tips and methods on how to be prepared and what to do if this situation arises in your library.

This year, Banned Books Week is September 22-28th. The James P. Adams Library at Rhode Island College has developed a LibGuide containing a collection of information, resources, and local events pertaining to Banned Books Week. Be sure to visit their page for current information and happenings, as well as the official Banned Books Week website.

Not an audiobook listener? Do you cringe when asked for audio recommendations? Fear not!  Check out this list of quick audio picks that have all been listener (and librarian) approved.

Popular Fiction:

The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen:   

Allen has a knack for writing magical Southern fiction that feels light, but still has substance.  The Girl Who Chased the Moon is full of quirky characters and southern charm, and the reader's southern accent did not make this native North Carolinian cringe.  The rest of Allen's books are delightful on audio as well, and many are available as an Overdrive option, too.

Oryx and Crake, and The Year of the Flood, by Margaret Atwood:  

With the final installment of the MaddAddam trilogy (aptly named, MaddAddam) coming out in September, readers may need a refresher on the details of the first two novels, so why not try the audio?  The audio versions are well performed and The Year of the Flood even sets Atwood's fictional God's Gardeners' hymns for  to music  Just remember to make sure they are on hold for MadAddam!

The Twelve, by Justin Cronin:   

This is the sequel to The Passage, which is also an excellent audio pick.  Both books are long, so the audio version will last readers a while.  Cronin's vampire virus tale is action packed and detail oriented, and managed to keep this listener in the car even after it was turned off.

Last Summer of the Camperdowns, by Elizabeth Kelly:   

Have a patron on the holds list for this title?  Encourage them to try the audio version through Overdrive.  The reader does a wonderful job of capturing twelve year old Riddle's voice as she remembers a fateful summer of missing boys, love triangles, family feuds and old war wounds.

The Cove, by Ron Rash:  

Another Southern fiction audiobook with a good reader.  The Cove, set deep in the mountains of North Carolina is a mesmerizing tale of superstition, politics, World War I and intrigue.  This audiobook is also available in multiple audio formats.

Classics:

Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut:  

The audio version of Slaughterhouse Five was my first introduction to Vonnegut, and it did not disappoint.  Readers who are Vonnegut fans and those who have never heard of him will be held rapt by actor Ethan Hawke's performance of this classic novel.

Dune, by Frank Herbert:  

The size of this sci-fi classic can be a bit daunting, but the audio version is perfect readers with a long commute or road trip.  Herbert creates a complex tale that weaves together politics, religion, emotion and technology into a story that will absorb listeners.  

Young Adult:

Seraphina, by Rachel Hartman:   

Hartman's (RITBA nominated!) tale of Seraphina, a girl who is half-human/half-dragon, is full of politics, mystery and some romance. The audio version is wonderfully performed and will captivate teens and adults.

Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell:  

This amazing story of friendship, music and acceptance translates beautifully to audio format.  The book is performed by dual narrators, each capturing their character perfectly.  For added convenience, Eleanor & Park is available on both CD and Overdrive.

Children's:

The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart:  

This is the start of a delightful and witty series about four exceptionally clever children on a secret mission.  The audio is charming and entertaining, Del Roy's perfect. He reads the entire series which adds nice continuity.  The series is also available throughout the system in various formats.

The Doll People, by Ann M. Martin:  

This is a charming series about a family of porcelain dolls and their adventures with a new family of plastic dolls.  The entire series is performed by Lynn Redgrave, who highlights the warmth and humor of the books.  These are all available in various formats as well.

Other great audio quick picks:

Chime, by Franny Billingsley (YA)

White Cat, by Holly Black (YA)

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, by Katherine Howe

The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey

Boom!, by Mark Haddon (Children's)

The Strain (trilogy), by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

The Madman's Daughter, by Meghan Shepherd (YA)

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, by Maryrose Wood (Children's)

PrinterOn: A New Remote Printing Service

By Aaron Coutu

Asst. Director/Tech. Coordinator Cumberland Public Library

As technology is getting smaller and smaller, our patrons are finding ways to do all sorts of work on all sorts of devices.  These include not only the usual desktop and laptop computers, but also tablets, mobile phones, and other devices that make use of apps and applications that the patrons may need to print from.  PrinterOn is a cloud-based printing service allowing patrons to send these print jobs to an online print queue and can be released at a designated location. 

Once the patron has located the document or website that he or she would like to print, they visit a website built through the cooperation of the PrinterOn company and the library itself so patrons will be able to make selections as to whether to print the job in black & white or color and also get a sense of what the job would cost.  It is also here that the patron would select their document using a simple browse feature to access the files on their device or type in (or copy & paste) the URL of a webpage they would like to print.  For  an example of such a page, feel free to visit the page set up for those using the service through the Cumberland Public Library.  Submitting print jobs can actually be done anywhere in the world as long as the patron has access to the internet.

PrinterOn has two interfaces for releasing print jobs.  One is a self-service model that is not unlike Envisionware, the print management system that is currently most commonly used in the Ocean State Libraries system.  The patron can walk up, sign in with the code that is provided to them when they submit each job, and pay for and release the job with the use of a vending tower.  Similarly, there is a staff interface that allows library staff to bring up and release the jobs while taking payment manually. 

The system actually seems to have started as a service primarily offered through hotels and motels, allowing guests to print jobs in their rooms and pick them up at the courtesy desk.  We learned of this service as we were searching for an option to help people who wanted to print from their mobile devices and also to assist those who brought their personal laptops into the library in the same way. Our current print management system did not seem to be able to handle the latter with any reliability and the former was not even an option.  We are also hoping that this might encourage non-library users to discover us as it would also be an option for local businesses to print jobs.  Similarly, people who are familiar with the PrinterOn service can look up to see where they can "locally" send their print jobs for pick up, and our hope is that they might make use of the library while they were visiting the area.

All-in-all, set up for the service was quick and easy with the company technicians needing just temporary remote access to the computer that will act as the print server to do the installation.  It costs a start-up fee as well as an annual subscription fee for the library.

The Programming Spotlight column highlights special programs, workshops, and events available to public libraries through non-profit organizations in Rhode Island. Over the past year, The Rhode Island Computer Museum (RICM) has held workshops for children and young adult audiences at the North Kingstown Free Library, the Seekonk Public Library, and the Tiverton Public Library.

Dan Berman, curator and outreach coordinator for the museum, shared his vision with me for future collaboration with Rhode Island libraries, namely his hope to develop more programs for children and young adults in an effort to continue to fulfill RICM's mission and ignite interest in topics related to computer science and its history.

How does RICM's mission as a museum and organization encourage collaboration with public libraries?

Dan:  RICM defines its mission as "procuring and preserving items that relate to computer science and its history; disseminating knowledge, and encouraging research in computer science by means of visits, lectures, discussions, and publications." As a community museum, we certainly believe our mission statement encourages us to work with public libraries and we strive to do that with our visits, displays, lectures, and discussions.

Can you tell me more about specific library collaborations and programs that RICM has been involved with thus far?

Dan: RICM has been developing vintage computer displays for the North Kingstown Free Library over the last five years, but beginning this past January, we presented a free exhibit and public presentation on the "Business History of Early Computers". Our presentation aimed to examine the impact of Wang Computers on Rhode Island in the context of historic preservation. Seeing it as a great success, we have since moved forward to offer workshops geared towards youth and children at the library, as well as in Tiverton and Seekonk. Our most popular program is teaching "Scratch", a computer program developed by MIT to teach software coding, ideal for young programmers itching to design their own video game.

Do you envision your museum cooperating with innovative library initiatives, such makerspaces or learning lab?

Dan: We have strongly considered integrating our computer equipment and tools into a Learning Lab within a host library. We are excited by the possibility of building a makerspace, combining manufacturing equipment, community, and education for the purposes of enabling community members to design, prototype, and create manufactured works that wouldn't be possible to create by individual effort alone. Multiple learning labs could be united in the purpose of providing access to equipment, community, and education, and they could be unique to better fit the purposes of the specific communities which they serve.  

Robotics programming seems to be increasing in popularity among young people. Do you offer any related workshops?

Dan: We have recently organized a pilot robotics workshop, "Robots on the Run", to be held at the North Kingstown Free Library, as well as the Tiverton Public Library. The workshop aims to explain basic circuits and instructions on building a simple robot. Participants will learn programmable electronics, including making lights blink, motors run, producing sounds, and much more.  They will also learn about interactive software titled "Arduino" and how they can create their own sample "Robot". We hope that we can broaden our outreach to libraries throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the near future.

We are also offering a workshop and an exhibit on "Historic Video Games". The exhibit aims to explain the impact of early video games on students developing skills in the context of historic preservation. Our aim is to explain how early video games were made and give students new skills to develop their own games.

Lastly, we are in the process of planning and designing a workshop on 3D printers. We hope to engage middle and high school-age youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media. RICM will provide technical assistance, networking, and cross-project learning.

If you are interested in having the Rhode Island Computer Museum come to your library, Dan welcomes your invitation. You can get in touch with Dan by email: dan@ricomputermuseum.org. Fees vary by workshop and the RICM is willing to work with libraries who may have budget constraints.

Join the hundreds of other libraries in your state and across the country next spring to provide  programs for all ages, and all stages of life, related to personal financial literacy. 'Money Smart Week @ your library' is a partnership initiative between the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago that expands Money Smart Week®

Libraries partner with community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations, and other financial experts to help consumers learn to better manage their personal finances. General topic areas range from 'Credit and Debt Management' to 'Kid's and Money' to 'Retirement Planning' to 'Savvy Shopping and Bargain Hunting.'

ALA and the Federal Reserve provide you with a wealth of resources and tools to make it easy for you to participate. So get Money Smart Week @ your library on your libraries calendar for April 5-12, 2014, and make sure to sign up for the soon to be announced October webinar, which will provide great examples from librarians whose libraries have participated and benefited from providing financial literacy programming in their community.  

If you'd like to participate, please contact Julie DeCesare  

jdecesa1@providence.edu or Chris Wallace Goldstein