Ryan Deschamps has an entry in his blog about what you (the public) would like us to keep and what you would like us to throw out. One of the little known facts about libraries is that we throw out books. Often the public gets very irate when they realize we are doing this but at the same time if we did not get rid of the old books and the ones no one is reading there would be no room left for the new and the popular stuff.

I know that in the system I work for the rule of thumb is to throw out a book which has not circulated in five years. This is a fairly conservative rule. Additionaslly with Reference Collection use in the basement and Non-Fiction circulatiuon stagnant the question of weeding/retention policies is critical to our redevelopment of the public library as a relevant institution. But what do you think?

February 25 to March 3, 2007 is Freedom to Read Week several of our branches here in Central will be recognizing this with events highlighting the importance of literacy and access to information. The Pelham Public Library, in Fonthill Ontario is issuing a challenge they are calling "The Banned Book Challenge". They are asking people to read as many banned books as possible before June 30, 2007. The Library has posted lists of banned books for 2006 and 2007.

Is there a prize? Not as far as I know except the warm fuzzy feeling you get after reading a book which is supposed to be a menace to the public good. And for me that is the only prize I need