Monopoly Tournament

On Monday SLAG hosted the much awaited Monopoly Tournament in conjunction with the Smithsonian Between Fences Traveling Exhibit. With five tables of Monopoly being run simultaneously it was difficult for this observer to be bored! I stopped by a table to see players at poverty levels only to return a few minutes later to find them wealthy!
David Hansen was the Grand Winner and was awarded a $50 Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. There were 10 other 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Everyone who participated was a winner because they chose to spend their afternoon at the library.
Thanks to the SLAG members who helped with refreshments, registration and acted as bankers. Hasbro supplied the games for the tournament and for prizes. Look to this website for the official Tournament Guide.

The Pact:: A Love Story

I stayed up late last night to finish this superbly crafted novel by Jodi Picoult.
Emily and Chris have been together since their parents placed them in the same bassinet as infants. As they reach puberty their relationship blossoms into more than friendship, but they were much closer than your average high school sweethearts.
"Do you know," Chris said softly, "what it's like to love someone so much you can't see yourself without picturing her? Or what's it like to touch someone and feel like you've come home?"..."We were, well, meant to be together. Some people spend their whole lives looking for that one person. I was lucky enough to have her all along."
Yet despite this great love, Emily had secrets she could share with no one and believing she had no other options, she wished to end her life. The two families are torn apart as Chris is indicted for Emily's murder.
"It's standard procedure to closely examine the person found next to the smoking gun. The one who's still conveniently alive."
This book, while a page turner, is not an easy read. Once again, Picoult tackles a tough issue and with finesse. I would recommend this to mature teens as well as adults.
Suicide is at epidemic numbers among the young people in our nation. I come in contact with so many teens who are depressed and the suicide books on our shelves are often out of order. Just one more reason why the relationships we build with teens are so important. Having another caring adult to talk to may be the difference between life or death.

Set Sail for the Book of the Banned!

Sixteen enthusiastic readers participated in the Third Annual Banned Book Reading at the Chez Marche Cafe on Thursday, October 4th. Several individuals shared excerpts from banned books they had enjoyed and Kris Hendrickson shared her own dramatic interpretation of the "Damn Spot" scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth. We talked about the reasons the books listed by the American Library Association had been challenged and we all agreed that if each book that was objectionable were to be removed from library shelves, there would be very little left.

I believe we live in the greatest country in the world, made great by the freedoms we enjoy. The Public Library System ensures that each individual has access to information . We celebrate our freedom to read and our First Amendment Rights every year during Banned Books Week. A librarian has the responsibility to select materials that offer a broad variety of viewpoints. I guarantee that any individual will find something on our shelves that is contrary to his/her beliefs. At the same time they will be able to locate materials that support their beliefs. I guess that means we are doing our job.

The Surly Surveyor Visits Waupaca

The Lunch & Learn Program on Tuesday, October 2, featured Rob Nurre, who portrayed John Davidson, the original surveyor of Waupaca County. He used audience participation to explain the methods used when the land was surveyed in 1851. The program was entertaining as well as educational. Look for the televised version of his presentation on WINTV!