Category: First 2 Know

  • The Importance of Banned Books Week

    By: Samantha Lowe

    Each year, the American Library Association reports on the most frequently challenged books in the United States. In 2024, there were 821 recorded attempts to restrict access to library materials. While some see this as protecting children, others point out that it limits the freedom of families to make their own choices about what to read and discuss at home. Many of the challenged books deal with issues of family, history, and identity, leaving it up to parents (not outside groups) to decide what fits their values.

    There is a well-known article in Library-land, from 1990, written by Rudine Sims Bishop, a children’s literature researcher. In it, she describes children’s literature as standing in for “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors,” within the lives of children. These words are almost sacred to many librarians and serve as an anchor we return to time and again. Through literature, children see not only themselves but the world. In a book, a child can feel seen and acknowledged and they realize they might not be as alone in the world as they feared. Or a child might see something totally new. They can step into experiences they might never have and feel empathy for another.

    What children read is between them and their parents. Those decisions are very personal and individual to each family. At some point, all kids will face adverse experiences in their day-to-day lives for various reasons. Every child is different, and some will be able to handle more than others. Does it get tricky when your 9-year-old is reading at a 10th grade level? Sure. Is every teen ready to read about mature relationships? No. But that’s why we talk to kids. We provide a safe space for them to pick up a book, say “this wasn’t for me,” discuss it with a kind grown up, and put it back.

    Banned Books Week celebrates the variety of experiences to be found in books and everyone’s right to an education. It’s imperative that kids know they’re safe with us and with their literature. This librarian has told kids before, “this book might be a little too grown up for you. I won’t stop you, but here are some ways to determine if it’s a good fit for you, and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to finish it. If you decide it’s not for you and you need someone to talk about it with, I’m here.”

  • Exploring Hispanic Life in America

    From September 15th through October15th, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month (a yearly commemoration first established as a week-long celebration in 1968 and later expanded to a month-long event in 1988) to honor the contributions, history, heritage, and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

    During National Hispanic Heritage Month, libraries typically celebrate by hosting events and programs highlighting the Hispanic culture, by creating themed book displays, and by promoting books and materials by and about Hispanic Americans.

    This year, The Library invites you to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Monthby exploring the Hispanic American themed books, e-Books, audiobooks, music, movies, and more in our collection. For a sampling of what you can find at the Dauphin County Library System, click here.

    This year, I invite you to also explore Hispanic Life in America, one of this library’s newest digital databases. What is Hispanic Life in America? Hispanic Life in America is an aggregated news database filled with primary source content from over 17,000 publications and news media sources, all covering the social, political, and cultural contributions of Hispanic communities in America. What better way to understand the pivotal experiences of this population than by exploring the very words and reports shared during those moments as they unfolded?

    Where can you find Hispanic Life in America?Visit www.dcls.org/research. You will find it listed alphabetically among our database selections. As a library database, this resource is freely available to all library members and on-site visitors. If you’re accessing it from outside a library location, simply log in using your library card number and PIN.

    Once you open Hispanic Life in America, you can begin to discover the full scope of what it has to offer by performing a keyword search or by browsing through its broad collection of carefully curated “Suggested Searches.” 

    What are “Suggest Searches?”  They are a selection of professionally created search results covering major topics of importance, organized by era and topic. They highlight the significant people, laws, and events impacting the lives of Hispanic Americans throughout history from the early 1700s through today. Would you like to learn about the Mexican- American War era, for example? Just select it and then choose from the list of associated topics and subtopics. Then, browse through the list of results and open any that sparks your interest or matches your research need.

    If you discover that you want or need more guidance with using this resource, NewsBank, Inc. provides training materials, help guides, and introductory videos, including this short YouTube video: https://youtu.be/aqNY2X1oNSA. To find help from within this database, look for the “Learn more about this database” link near the top of the Hispanic Life in America landing page.

    Lastly, library staff can provide guidance and assistance as well, so please do not shy away from using it to re-examine the contributions and impact of the Hispanic population on this nation’s history through the more balanced and diverse lens that this resource offers. I think that once you give this easy-to-navigate database a try, you, too, will find it to be both useful and enlightening.

    Gracias,

    Ann Marie Megoulas
    Information Services Supervisor

  • Pavilion at East Shore

    By: Barry Ernest

    Over the years and seasons the iconic tree in front of the East Shore Area Library marked its growth together with the branch, each providing a cozy place to read or escape the heat of a sunny day. Long past a sapling, the aged symbol of the property fulfilled its destiny as a giving tree of sorts, falling quickly, but not quietly, to a landscaping team of tree cutters putting idea into action.

    The tree’s removal has given birth to a planned community pavilion – and its absence honored by a future with increased visitors and community activities in its former footprint.

    What’s ahead for the green space at the front of the building?

    Work is underway to transform the property into a vibrant multi-function outdoor activities area. The free-standing expansion is designed to provide additional casual seating in a green area setting for both staff and public gatherings.

    The pavilion serves a need for more space. Indoor meeting rooms used by both the public and library programs frequently reach capacity and main-floor seating for patrons is often at a premium at East Shore.

    The project helps the library continue to expand its programming and outreach in the community. The goal is to offer patrons shared experiences in a newly designed green area.

    Its space will host library-related programs and events, including Charlie Cart, a mobile kitchen that helps to teach kids how to cook while providing the knowledge necessary for a beneficial diet and healthy eating.

    While library staff aims to expand and diversify its educational programming in the space, this project will also allow patrons to be able to enjoy their usual library activities –study, read, or just relax – all within an outdoor library atmosphere.

    Outdoor events like music and art initiatives, and the potential for resuming a summer lunch program, are anticipated for the new area as well. “The options are practically endless,” says Maria Lagasca, Public Services Director.

    Although its iconic tree is gone, East Shore has plans to make the space even greener. The tree is scheduled to be replaced with native plants, a butterfly garden, and even more shade, while making an inviting area with less maintenance worries.

    Plans call for partnering with Friends of the East Shore Area Library (FESAL) and local gardening organizations to establish an on-site community garden.

    The pavilion project to expected next summer.