Yes, Virginia, even the dictionary (and a history book) have been banned

Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

This dictionary was banned from a California classroom in 2010 when a parent filed a complaint that her child came across a term in the dictionary that the parent thought was too sexually explicit for children.

Source: R. Doyle. (2010). Books Banned or Challenged in 2009-2010.

A People’s History of the United States

Author:  Howard Zinn

This book was challenged in 2009 in a Virginia high school advanced placement class, “because the book is ‘un-American and leftist propaganda,’” (Doyle, 2009).  More recently, after the author’s death in 2010, former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels attempted to have it banned from all classrooms in Indiana.  He then back tracked and claimed he only wanted it removed from eighth grade classrooms because children at that age are very impressionable.

Source: R. Doyle. (2007). Books Challenged or Banned in 2006-2007.

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Alice in Wonderland or Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

The earliest known banning of this book was in 1900 from a high school in New Hampshire. It was banned on the basis that it contained coarse language and sexual innuendo and “derogatory characterizations of teachers and religious ceremonies.”  One of the most absurd cases of banning was in 1931 by a governor in China because “animals should not use human language, and that it was disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level.”  It has also been challenged more recently because of claims that it encourages drug use and child abuse.

Source: R. Wolf Baldassarro, (2012).  http://bannedbooks.world.edu/?s=alice+in+wonderland

Great Scott! Banning the Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This book had a bit of a rocky start before it was even a fully completed novel.  In 1923, several magazines refused to publish it because of the controversial content.  It has been challenged throughout the years by several different colleges and high schools, and they cite language and sexual content as the reasons for challenging it. It has never been fully removed from any shelves or classrooms though.

Source: Karolides, N.J., Bald, M., & Sova, D.B. (2011). 120 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World Literature. Checkmark Books: New York.

"Oh, Bother!" said Pooh

Winnie the Pooh

Author:  A. A. Milne

The only known attempt at banning this book in the United States occurred in Kansas in 2006.  A group of parent listed it, along with a few other books such as Charlotte’s Web, because of the presence of talking animals.  The parents felt that talking animals were an insult to God.  The most notable banning of this book may be in Russia in 2009.  Russia’s Justice Ministry claimed it to be pro-Nazi “because a depiction of Winnie-the-Pooh wearing a swastika was discovered among the personal possessions of a known political extremist” (Baldassarro, 2011).

Sources:  

Elizabeth Warkentin Special to the, S. (2011, September 26). Defending literature can take its toll. Toronto Star (Canada).

R. Wolf Baldassarro, http://bannedbooks.world.edu/2011/06/19/banned-books-awareness-winniethepooh/

Russia Hammers Winnie the Pooh: The Pooh Bear Gets Banned. (2009, August 23). The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from: http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204884404574364964010507896

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Why Were You Banned?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Author: Bill Martin Jr.

This book was a completely accidental banning.  In 2010, the Texas state board of education was so opposed to a book written by Bill Martin (no relation to Bill Martin, Jr.) and eager to ban his books that this book got banned as well.  Ironically, the book they wanted to ban was written and published AFTER the death of Bill Martin, Jr.

Source: Troop, D. (2010, January 25). “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Why Were You Banned?” The Chronicle of Higher Education.

What Do You Mean that Book Was Banned?

Celebrate Banned Books Week and the freedom to read all month by exploring the interactive display in the library and the exhibit on the bulletin board near room 141. Feel free to take one of the Banned Books Week bookmarks or brochures that are available in the library too.

Each school day during the month of October the library staff will post additional information about some of the featured banned and challenged books on the library’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SullivanLex.

Library Hours for the September Break

Oh, the Cool Places You Can Go

Scenic Cruises of theWorld: Set Sail in Search of Unique Places and People; DVD 910.202 S289

From the comfort of your own home and with this DVD, you can cruise the coastlines of 20 hot and cold places like Nova Scotia, Alaska, Guatemala, Norway, Egypt, Chile, Scotland, and Tahiti. The producers of this DVD also take viewers inland to see the local people and learn about their customs and cultures.

Cool! Food!

Cool Cuisine: Taking the Bite out of Global Warming by Laura Stec; 641.5636 S811c

What can people do to combat global warming? Author, Laura Stec, suggests that a change from the typical U.S. diet to a diet that includes more earth-friendly options is a way to impact the environment in a positive way. Stec includes recipes, cooking tips, and an idea for a book club or tasting party in this book.

How About a Cool Place to Go Today?

Travels in Siberia by Ian Frazier; 957 F848t

A reporter for the New Yorker magazine travels to Siberia on multiple occasions, and he shares with readers about the famous people who were exiled there and the vast landscape that makes up this famous place.

A Cool Book on Cool Treats to Cool You Down

Cool!

Harvest of the Cold Months by Elizabeth David; 641.862 D249h

Got ice? Find out all of the nitty-gritty about ice and ices in a book that is cooler than it seems. 

A Bed of Ice Isn't Just for Fish Anymore.

Bed in a Tree: and Other Amazing Hotels from Around the World 

by Bettina Kowalewski; 910.202 K88b

Whether it is a hotel room made of ice, an underwater room, or a hotel in a tree, browse through this book that features 27 unique and exciting places to find a one-of-a-kind lodging experience. 

If you want unusual lodgings that are closer to home, come and flip through the book Weird Kentucky, R 917.69 H735w. It features three Kentucky attractions where having a unique overnight experience does not involve sleeping in a real tree. The Howard Johnson's  in Florence, KY, boasts a variety of special hotel rooms including an Arctic Cave room, a Kentucky Cave room, Aladdin's room, and a Treehouse room. Near Mammoth Cave you can stay in a wigwam at Wigwam Village, or for a more regal setting, try out Castle Post in Versailles, KY. 

Helpful Resources for the Career Expo

Have you seen the signs and heard the news? Tomorrow is the Sullivan University Career Expo, and the library has the resources to make your cover letter and résumé shine. The titles below are just a sampling of what is available in the library. If you want to see more books, just ask one of the librarians to assist you.

Step-by-Step Cover Letters:  Build a Cover Letter in 10 Easy Steps Using Personal Branding by Evelyn U. Salvador; 650.142 S182s

A CD-ROM of cover-letter templates and samples accompanies this guide that details how to prepare attention getting cover letters. Don’t forget the importance of a well-written cover letter; it is what piques the interest of those hiring to look at a résumé.

Gallery of Best Résumés: A Collection of Quality Résumés by Professional Résumé Writers by David F. Noble; 650.142 N748g

Are you curious about what makes a good résumé? If so, check out David Noble’s book that features a collection of sample résumés, for a variety of positions, and tips on how to write and create cover letters and résumés that get results.

101 Smart Questions to Ask on Your Interview by Ronald W. Fry; 331.1 F946o

The cover letter was stunning and made the hiring manager want to look at the résumé. The well-crafted résumé prompted a phone call to set up an interview. Now that an interview is scheduled, how does one prepare for it? One of the most critical pieces of an interview is the part when the candidate gets to ask questions of the prospective employers, and this book has information about how to ask great questions during the interview.

Reply All-and Other Ways to Tank Your Career by Richie Frieman; 395.52 F911r

This is the guide for the person who aced the interview and got the job but is nervous about how to navigate the workplace. Humorous cartoons, case studies, and numerous tips fill this helpful volume. 

Career Fair at the Sullivan University Lexington Campus

The Career Fair at Sullivan University-Lexington is this week! 

Wednesday, August 20 from 9am – 12:30pm in the Oak Room (Rooms 237/239), Rooms 238/240, and Room 242/244 

Representatives from over 80 employers will be present. You can see the list here: 
https://app.box.com/s/cz28vn48esxl8zc3se7v

Come prepared in professional dress with resumes in hand! Also, check out these tips for more information on preparing for a career fair. If you visit at least ten employer booths and complete a short evaluation, you will be registered to win some great door prizes!

If you have any questions, contact Autumn in Career Service at aballentine@sullivan.edu or (859) 514–7680

While you are preparing for the Career Fair, you might want to take advantage of the library's career resources. You can find them in our Career LibGuide here: http://libguides.sullivan.edu/careers.

Cool Reads for Hot days

Who says that great summer reads have to feature a beach or a glass of sweet tea? The titles we are featuring during these dog days of summer have one thing in common. They talk about something cool, be it ice pops, technology, or great ideas. Stop by the library to check out one of these hot (oops, cool) books.

Today's "cool" read is:

Perfect Pops: The 50 Best Classic & Cool Treats by Charity Ferreira; 641.862 F383p

There's nothing like a cold treat on a hot day. Remember as a kid how great it was when mom finally relented and let you have a popsicle?  Well, move over Freeze Pops. The popsicles featured in this book have real ingredients: fruit, delectable chocolate, and cream in them.  As the title suggests there are recipes for 50 different popsicles in this book. This book, and others on making cool treats, is available in the Library and Learning Resource Center. Any of the library staff will be happy to assist you to find this book or any others you may need.