September 27-October 3, 2015 is Banned Books Week during which libraries across the country celebrate every person's freedom to read. At the Berkeley Public Library, we believe that everyone should have the freedom to read what they want, and that one person's offense at a particular book does not outweigh the value of that book for other people. We steadfastly defend your right to access ideas that are important to you, even if they may be controversial to someone else, because open thought and open discourse are essential pieces of democracy. People will try to get things banned for some very... interesting reasons. Take a look at the list of the top ten most banned and challenged books of 2014 and ask yourself: do YOU think that other people should not be allowed to read these books? Banned Books Week brings people together to talk about the value of free and open access to information. Be part of the movement and read and discuss something that you or others might consider controversial. Looking for a suggestion? We made our own list of commonly challenged books and explain why they were challenged. See the six in the right column. The complete list is here.
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Banned Books Week Events!
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Beyond just READING a banned book, you can join your community in celebrating challenged (and challenging) literature! Come to one of our Banned Books Week events between September 27 and October 3. Of course, all of our events are free and open to everyone!  BANNED!: Authors Speak Out Against Censorship @CentralTuesday, Sept. 29 6:30pm - 7:30pm In recognition of Banned Books Week, you're invited to join authors Mariko Tamaki ( This One Summer), Marcus Ewert ( 10,000 Dresses), and Nina LaCour ( Hold Still) for a panel discussion. All three authors books have been banned and challenged. They will talk about censorship as well as their own experiences. with time for all your questions.Third floor community meeting room. Shredded: A Game for Banned Books Week@South Branch & @West Branch September 28 - October 3 Celebrate Banned Book Week with a display of the best banned books and a game, Guess the Banned Book. We fill a large jar with a shredded banned book. Contestants write their name and the title to enter. On Oct 3 we will draw the lucky winner who wins a fabulous prize! |
 Walking Dead Doll @WestTuesday, October 6,13, 20 & 27 4:30pm - 5:30pm Celebrate the Halloween season by making your own Walking Dead doll! Bring your old doll back to life or choose one from our selection. Mini Piñata Craft & Movie @ClaremontFriday, October 9 4:00pm - 5:00pm For this special installment of Teens Make Some Thing, Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by creating miniature Piñatas with us! We'll have all the supplies on hand to make a piñata in whatever form you can think of. We'll also be watching the computer animated adventure movie The Book of Life! Magic: The Gathering Practice Draft @North! Saturday, October 10 1:30pm - 5:00pm Build your best hand and face off against your foes in this tournament-style practice draft! But, with no Rares, no Mythics, and no O.P. creature cards... your skill and your wits your only allies... will you be able to claim victory?! All cards will be provided, and prizes will be given to the winners of matches! Open to players ages 11-18 of all skill levels who are looking for a challenge! For questions or to RSVP, contact Jack at jbaur@ci.berkeley.ca.us or 510-981-6050. Exploring the Surreal: Séances, Ouija, & the Other Side @NorthWednesday, October 14 3:30pm - 5:00pm Explore the mysterious world of communications from beyond the veil! Esoteric explorer Casey Gilly shares the fascinating history of Ouija, automatic writing, mediumship, channeling and more while you work on a creepy craft. All teens welcome! Calendar of All Free Library Events
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 Online Tutoring for All Subjects and Levels
We now offer free online tutoring in
- math,
- science,
- English,
- social studies and
- writing
through Tutor.com. Work with trained tutors to help complete your homework, study for tests, and understand concepts. You and your tutor work in a safe online classroom. Use the interactive whiteboard and instant messaging to work through math and other problems. Upload a picture of your assignment or textbook. Share a file with your tutor for help with essays, research papers or other writing assignments. The tutor will return a marked-up copy within 24 hours. How Does It Work?Set up an anonymous free account to take assessment quizzes, submit documents for review, tag and reconnect with your favorite tutors, store your documents and review your sessions any time. Tutor.com is available 2:00pm - 9:00pm seven days a week. Use any internet-enabled computer or mobile device. Go to Tutor.com. You must have a Berkeley Public Library card to use this FREE service. Apply for a card now.
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 So what does that mean?It is a time to celebrate the awesome stuff that people write and sing and create. So we decided to celebrate, too. Come to the library for a concert or art show.Get a book or music CD or DVd on art @BerkeleyPublic LibraryUse Discover & Go for free admission to museums and other cool places.Make Something - Write a poem, a letter or a book
- Rap or sing a song
- Draw, sketch or paint
- Sculpt or make jewelry
- Build something
- Photograph something
Then Share it #ShowYourArtAnd then share it: #BerkeleyPublic & #ShowYourArt The arts are a part of our lives each and every day, and we take the whole month of October to commemorate the arts in a big way. It is National Arts & Humanities Month - the largest annual celebration for the arts and humanities in the nation. |
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We Will Show You Our Art!
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Tenth Annual Staff Art Show @Central
October 1 - November 1
Regular Library hours
See what talented Library staffers create when not at work. Second floor Historic Entry & Historic Lobby and fifth floor Art & Music.
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Easily Find NEW Teen Books !
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We make it easy to find the newest and hottest books in the library's Teen collection. Introducing NEW Teen Books! Now every Teen Room has its own NEW BOOKS shelf where you can find titles that are hot off the press. You can also keep your eye on new books by browsing our New Arrivals page on our website! Bookmark it, check back every month, and never miss your new favorite again!
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All Berkeley Public Library locations
are closed
Monday, October 12th
All locations
open one-hour later at 11:00am
Friday October 30th
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The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Every year in Panem, young people from around the nation are pitted against each other in a televised battle to the death called the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen is the young woman who represents District 12 in the games and surprises everyone with her strength, intelligence and loyalty. With plenty of action and social commentary it is no surprise this book and its sequels Catching Fire and Mockingjay are so popular.
What may surprise you is that they have been challenged for being anti-ethnic, anti-family, insensitive, violent and containing offensive language and elements of the occult.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis occupying Netherlands in a tiny attic room for two years. During that time she kept a diary of her experience. It has since become one of the most famous first-person stories of the Holocaust.
You might think it's been challenged for violent content or its handling of controversial ideas, but actually the complaints have been about its sexual content and homosexual themes.
The Fault In Our Stars
by John Green
This heart-breaking realistic romance about two teens who meet at a cancer support group was an instant bestseller and returned to the bestseller list when a movie was made of the book in 2014.
It also was challenged in Riverside in 2014 because an adult "felt the morbid plot, crude language, and sexual content was inappropriate for her children," saying "I just didn't think it was appropriate for an 11-, 12-, 13-year-old to read."
Watchmen
by Alan Moore
This classic award-winning comic has been loved by fans and reviewers alike since it was first published in 1986. It is an alternate history in which a group of retired crimefighters work to stop a plot to murder them. A staple on the graphic novel and comics shelves in bookstores and libraries everywhere, it has been challenged several times.
Appropriate to the story itself, it is never quite clear what the objections are. Read it for yourself and see if you can figure out why people continue to challenge this book.
by J.K. Rowling
Wizards, danger, precocious young people and a struggle between good and evil. These are the things that make Harry Potter great! But they're also what gets it challenged.
Specifically, it promotes witchcraft, characterizes authority as 'stupid,' is violent and scary, deals with ghosts and cults, and encourages lying, cheating, and stealing. In one city it was even burned as a "masterpiece of satanic deception!"
Bone
by Jeff Smith
This whimsical series looks a lot like classic comics. And the story has traditional elements of a fable - like three cousins struggling with greed and friendship as they travel through a mysterious valley. But the odd creatures they encounter, the humor and mystery make it unlike other books.
There is a lot to enjoy in this series of a dozen titles that has been challenged on the basis of racism, political viewpoint, violence and the inclusion of some images that one challengers says they believe "promote drinking and smoking."
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Free events at Central, South, West & Claremont are sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library and events at North are made possible by a generous gift from the Pace Trust, in support of the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library. |
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