There’s been a whole lot of discussion nationally about what books kids in school should be allowed to read and which ones should be offered in school libraries – but the High Point Public Library is going to help a lot of people decide for themselves.
That’s because the library is taking the interesting tact of centering a new book club on banned books, which club member will read and discuss.
There’s no charge for this new book club that’s open to any adults and teens who wish to participate.
The library will be launching the new club – called the Shelf Indulgence Book Club – in mid-January. The first meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Book Lovers’ Room on the third floor of the library at 901 N. Main St. in High Point.
Information regarding the club sent out this week stated that members “will discuss books that have been banned or challenged in schools or libraries,” and added, “The High Point Public Library believes that it is beneficial to give people the opportunity to read banned books in order to celebrate reading and promote open access to ideas at the same time.”
The announcement didn’t provide any titles of the books to be read, but did say that they will be chosen from all genres. It also noted that group members will take part in choosing which books to read.
The High Point Public Library already offers several book clubs, including one that focuses on science fiction, one featuring African-American literature and one where members read books by authors who live outside the United States.
I believe this is an example of the Streisand effect.
If the book club will be reading the books, then the books have obviously not been banned.
The term “Banned Books” is a mischaracterization. You can buy these books on Amazon and Nobles without a problem. It’s just that the books are not appropriate for children. I would imagine if you tried to place Playboy or Hustler magazines into the libraries’ periodical section those pushing a woke agenda would squeal like stuck pigs.
Yeah, that isn’t happening and most of these ‘banned’ books are harmless if you give kids any credit for critical thinking.
Greensboro & High Point libraries are purging books, in effect burning books.
To me, the library’s job is to save at least one copy of every book they have had. If they are seldom requested, they can be stored at another site. They used to call this procedure “lower stack”.
Furthermore, a lot of titles “get gone”, probably when the staff finds books that be sold a profit on line. I have seen that effect myself.
The decline of ethics and morality is destroying our Republic.