Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Banned Books Week



Banned Books Week

Celebrating the Freedom to Read

September 26–October 3, 2009
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The most frequently challenged books of 2008

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group

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Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

BBW is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores, and is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Although they were the targets of attempted bannings, most of the books featured during BBW were not banned, thanks to the efforts of librarians to maintain them in their collections. Imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.

Often challenges are motivated by a desire to protect children from “inappropriate” sexual content or “offensive” language. Although this is a commendable motivation, Free Access to Libraries for Minors, an interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights (ALA's basic policy concerning access to information) states that, “Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources.” Censorship by librarians of constitutionally protected speech, whether for protection or for any other reason, violates the First Amendment.

Why are books challenged?

Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information.

Who challenges books?


Throughout history, more and different kinds of people and groups of all persuasions than you might first suppose, who, for all sorts of reasons, have attempted—and continue to attempt—to suppress anything that conflicts with or anyone who disagrees with their own beliefs.

What's the difference between a challenge and a banning?

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.

Frequently Challenged Books

What was the most challenged book in the past year? What are the most challenged books of the 21st century? Who are the most frequently challenged authors? Where can I go to find more information on why a book was challenged or banned?


http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm

Career Development Week






The Career Development Center is a comprehensive Center serving all departments and colleges of MTSU. The Center services include the following programs:

Career Exploration On-Campus Recruiting Job Searching

The Center posts the following types of positions within Lightning JobSource:

  • Student Employment - Off-campus
  • Student Employment - On-campus
  • Career Employment - Degreed Entry-level
  • Career Employment - Experienced hire
  • Internships
  • Co-op

Career Development Week 2009

Start planning for your future career today!

September 28 - October 2

See a list of all the events this week:

http://career.web.mtsu.edu/Marketing/CDW09.pdf

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Campus wireless access

Having problems connnecting your laptop on Campus? Here are a few items that may be helpful in correcting your problems:

1. If you are running a 64 bit operating system, you need to go to ITD for assistance.

2. You must uninstall any peer-to-peer (P2P) software, such as Limewire, FrostWire, Kazaa etc. If you do not uninstall the P2P software, you will not be allowed to access the MTSU Wireless network. If you have any questions in regards to this, contact ITD at 898-5345.

3. Next you need to "register" your laptop with Campus. How do you do this? Simple, open a browser page to MTSU's home page (http://www.mtsu.edu/). From this point you will be redirected to the registration page. ITD has provided a short tutorial to step you through this process. You can find a link to it at: http://library.mtsu.edu/information/computing/laptop.php

4. During this process your computer will be checked to insure it meets the minimum requirements to access the MTSU wireless network. If you do not have an anti-virus program, you will be redirected to a free version of Trend-Micro anti-virus. If you do not wish to use this program, you may purchase another brand or download one of the free versions. Word of caution, there are several "fake" anti-virus programs on the web, so be careful what you download. One safe site is http://free.avg.com/

5. You should also ensure that your MS criticals are up to date. You can do that by doing a Windows Update (click on Start, go to All programs, select "Windows Update" then follow the on screen instructions.) If you are uncertain or need assistance, check in the EIC (computer area on the 1st floor) for a Student Technology Assistant to assist you.

6. Once you fill in all the required information it will step you through the process of loading the EnTeraSys client. No error messages, then your done.

7. If you recieve an error: "max number of remediation attempts has been exceeded", you will need to go to ITD (BAS after 16:30 / 4:30pm) to unlock your account.

Monday, September 14, 2009

On Display in the Lobby of Walker Library

The University is celebrating Constitution Day on September 17. Activities include discussions, lectures, and displays of posters. The Walker Library is participating in the celebration by exhibiting books about the Constitution (available for you to check out, just grab one and take it over to the Circulation Desk). We are also housing some of the posters that highlight four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. Some of the posters reinterpret Norman Rockwell's original paintings which responded to President Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" speech in 1941. This project came out of the donation of Rockwell's original works to The Wolfsonian Museum at Florida International University. See http://www.wolfsonian.org/visitus/press/05.29.08_.html for more information about the original exhibit.

The American Democracy Project (ADP) at MTSU coordinates the celebration of the Constitution each year. The goal of the ADP is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy. Currently more than 220 campuses participate in the American Democracy Project. Visit www.mtsu.edu/~amerdem for more information.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Last week to see exhibit

The legacy of Middle Tennessee State University’s working replica of an 18th century printing press is explained through photos and prints as part of an exhibit at the main branch of the Nashville Public Library, 615 Church St., through Sept. 27.

A closing reception will be held from 2:30 - 4:30, Sunday, September 27th.

The exhibit is titled “Telling the Story: Letterpress Printing and Community.” The university’s segment will include the story of letterpress printing at MTSU. The works of current MTSU art students, alumni, visiting artists, faculty, elementary, middle- and high-school teachers and students who printed on the James E. Walker Library’s unique device will be highlighted.
A reproduction of the English common press used by Benjamin Franklin in the early 1700s, the printing press was handcrafted by cabinetmaker Keith Jenkins and blacksmith Jeff Henderson. The wood came from a 100-year-old house in Virginia, and all the brass, iron and steel parts were forged by hand. Faculty and students donate their time working on the press which is solely dependent on private support from individuals.

The press project offers students and the community a dramatic and unforgettable experience through activities that integrate history, writing and letterpress printing. Activities include lectures to university and school students about historical printing, a visiting artist each semester, community print nights, and printing demonstrations for community groups. The construction of the press was made possible with grant money awarded to Walker Library faculty members Dr. Alan Boehm, Director of Special Collections, and William Black, Administrative Services Librarian, and Janet Higgins, Department of Art.

Items that were printed by MTSU art students on the Vandercook Press, a precision-built, flat bed cylinder proof device, and the Tulip Poplar Press will be featured, as well. The Vandercook Press is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its creation this year. Austin Peay State University will also be part of the exhibit with works printed on its Goldsmith Press.

The exhibit will be located in the Nashville Public Library’s second floor Courtyard Gallery. For more information and for photos of the MTSU press, contact Kristen Keene at 615-898-5376 or kkeene@mtsu.edu.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Save your work


Avoid heartbreak, save early and often.

Blue Raider Blackout









Saturday, September 12

6 pm (the Library closes at 5 on Saturday, so you have time to get over and watch some football!)

Blue Raiders vs. Memphis Tigers

Students get in FREE with their id.

The highly-anticipated 2009 home opener for the MTSU football team. The Blue Raiders will be taking on the University of Memphis Tigers. This game is Blackout Night, so everyone where your blackout t-shirts!

Attention Freshman, Class of 2013

Join President Sidney McPhee for MTSU’s Long Standing Tradition of “Freshman Walk.”

There will be an announcement with about 5 minutes left in the second quarter for all class of 2013 Freshman to meet at the tunnel below section 2E. President McPhee will lead the Class of 2013 on to the field at halftime. this is your chance to get on the field and show your Blue Raider pride.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Constitution Day

What is Constitution Day?


The signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, by the Founding Fathers is one of the most important and influential events in American history, establishing the many rights and freedoms “We the People” enjoy today.


September 17, Constitution Day is celebrated each year all over the country.

MTSU is celebrating Constitution Week, September 14 - 18, 2009 with many activities sponsored by the MTSU American Democracy Project and the John Seigenthaler Chair in First Amendment Studies, and the Distinguished Lecture Committee.

Throughout the week:
Poster Display (Thoughts on Democracy: Reinterpreting Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms Posters, Walker Library and KUC )

Constitutional Readings Display (Walker Library)

Wednesday, Sept 16:
10:20 am - Free Speech on University Campuses: The State of Play (lecture by Bruce Barry, Vanderbilt Professor, KUC Theater)

11:30 am - State of the First Amendment (Gene Poloconksi, VP of the First Amendment Center, KUC Theater)

2:20 pm - Freedom Sings (Multimedia experience, Tucker Theater)

Thursday, Sept 17:
10am - 2pm - Midday Campus Celebration (Signing of the Constitution, reading of the Constitution, Free copies of the Constitution, KUC Knoll)

9:40 am - The Internet and the First Amendment (John Seigenthaler moderates a panel, KUC Theater)

11:20 am - First Amendment Freedoms (Panel explores the state of the First Amendment's Five Freedoms - religion, speech, press, assembly and petition, KUC Theater)

1 pm - Torture, Democracy, and the American Press (lecture by Mark Danner, author/journalist, LRC 221)

2:40 pm – Civil Liberties: Surveillance and Terrorism (lecture and discussion led by Professor Roger Newman, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, KUC Theater)

7:00 pm – Living Democracy (Lecture by Susan Griffin, award winning author, BAS State Farm Lecture Hall)

Friday, Sept. 18:
1 – 4 pm –
Workshop on Teaching Democracy: Integrating Themes of Social Responsibility in the Curriculum (Workshop led by author Susan Griffin, JUB Faculty Senate Room)
Visit www.mtsu.edu/~amerdem for more information.