LISNews: Librarian News

Here's an idea--reward the well-behaved kids at the library instead of focusing on the badly-behaved ones.

The library in Longmont, CO has seen great strides in the program, funded in part by the Friends of the Library. Story from the Daily Times Call.

David Rothman sent over News From Bentonville AR where a man is seeking $20,000 from the city after his two teenage sons found a book on lesbian sex on a public library bookshelf.

He also wants the library director fired.

Earl Adams said his 14- and 16-year-old sons were "greatly disturbed" after finding the book, titled "The Whole Lesbian Sex Book." Adams said the book caused "many sleepless nights in our house."
The the city's attorney dismissed Adams' claim as baseless. She said the book is not pornographic.

"There is not a valid legal concern here," Camille Thompson said. "In fact, (the request for money) made me question his motivation."

Libraries at the Cutting Edge: The trendiest meeting place on many college campuses these days features a coffee bar, wireless Internet zones, free entertainment and special programs, modern lounge areas and meeting rooms.

And free access to books. Lots of books.

This educational social hub is the campus library, which is beginning to look more like an Internet cafe than the academic library you remember from your college days.

From Chasing Ray comes news of an appeal for reviewers, bloggers, librarians and others to send their advance reading copies to kids in Louisiana juvenile detention centers. Books2Prisoners has been delivering books to prisoners in the NOLA area for some time, and they have now started to gather books for the juvenile detention centers as well. Whatever they had before Katrina is now, of course, gone.
Colleen at Chasing Ray has an excellent and comprehensive post about the situation for kids (incarcerated and otherwise) in New Orleans, and about the kinds of books that Books2Prisoners would like to receive. Generally, they are looking for books from the middle grade reading level and up, primarily dealing with multi-cultural themes and characters. Naturally, not just ARCs, but also full-grown books are welcome.
Read the whole Books2Prisoners post at Chasing Ray for details, inspiration, and the mailing address for the program.

Update: 02/14 12:25 GMT by B :mdoniel says "So if you want to donate books to this program and don't have any funds to send them let me know. I'll pay for the first 5 boxes sent FedEx ground. I'll fax you a label to tape on the box."