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Banned Books Week 2017

by | | Banned Books • Topsham Tales

This week is Banned Books Week. Libraries are dedicated to your right to read. Everything is not for everyone, but there is something for each one of us.

The most challenged books for 2016 are:

Top Ten for 2016

Out of 323 challenges recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom

  1. This One Summer written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
    Reasons: challenged because it includes LGBT characters, drug use and profanity, and it was considered sexually explicit with mature themes
  2. Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
    Reasons: challenged because it includes LGBT characters, was deemed sexually explicit, and was considered to have an offensive political viewpoint
  3. George written by Alex Gino
    Reasons: challenged because it includes a transgender child, and the “sexuality was not appropriate at elementary levels”
  4. I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
    Reasons: challenged because it portrays a transgender child and because of language, sex education, and offensive viewpoints
  5. Two Boys Kissing written by David Levithan
    Reasons: challenged because its cover has an image of two boys kissing, and it was considered to include sexually explicit LGBT content
  6. Looking for Alaska written by John Green
    Reasons: challenged for a sexually explicit scene that may lead a student to “sexual experimentation”
  7. Big Hard Sex Criminals written by Matt Fraction and illustrated by Chip Zdarsky
    Reason: challenged because it was considered sexually explicit
  8. Make Something Up: Stories You Can’t Unread written by Chuck Palahniuk
    Reasons: challenged for profanity, sexual explicitness, and being “disgusting and all around offensive”
  9. Little Bill (series) written by Bill Cosby and and illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood
    Reason: challenged because of criminal sexual allegations against the author
  10. Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell
    Reason: challenged for offensive language

 

Banned Books Week Recap

by | | Banned Books • Staff Picks • Topsham Tales

In honor of Banned Books Week (which is next week) we take a look back at past Banned Book Week blog posts.

Banned Books Week

It’s Banned Book Week!!

 

The Banned Book I Bought at the Book Sale by Emma

 

The most frequently challenged book of the decade by Lynne

 

My Favorite Banned Book by Dale

 

A Banned Book I Read Recently by Helen

 

Banned Books in the News by Bernardo

 

My Favorite Book is a Banned Book by Julie

 

The value of banned and challenged books by Cyndi

 

One of my favorite banned books by Susan

 

Most memorable banned book by Mariah

 

 

 

 

 

Calling All Writers

by | | Information • Special Events • Topsham Tales

It’s that time of year! Topsham Public Library is now accepting Joy of the Pen submissions.

For those of you who are not familiar with the contest, the Joy of the Pen is a writing competition that is free to enter for year-round Maine residents, both amateur and professional. Prizes are awarded in the following categories: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, Maine-related nonfiction and teen authored. Submission is online at joyofthepen.topshamlibrary.org. Winners and honorable mentions are published on the Joy of the Pen online journal and also receive a small honorarium!

A reception will be held on Saturday, November 18th at 1:00PM to announce the winners. Joy of the Pen is sponsored by The Cryer, The Friends of the Topsham Public Library, Just Write Books and the TPL Teen Room.

Donation Drop-Off Deadline Drawing Nigh

by | | Information • Special Events • Topsham Tales

The annual Friends of the Topsham Public Library Book Sale is almost here (September 29-October 1), and that means you are running out of time to drop-off your gently used books, dvds, and cds. Saturday, September 15 is the last day we are taking donations. (We have a deadline so the wonderful volunteers have time to sort and organize the various items.)

If you have a few items to donate, bring them to the Friends shed (to the right of the Topsham Public Library). There is a book drop where you may leave your un-boxed donations. We cannot accept magazines, condensed books, VHS or cassette tapes, textbooks, dictionaries, encylopedias, old medical books, or old law books.

If you have two or more boxes, or are unable to drop them off yourself, email kim.fletcher9@gmail.com (or call the library to get Kim’s phone number) and arrangements can be made.

And don’t forget! Friday, September 29, Topsham Public Library will close at noon to prepare for the special preview sale for Friends of the Topsham Public Library members (Friends’ memberships will be available at the door). The preview sale is from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. On Saturday, September 30, the book sale will open from 9:00AM to 4:00PM and on Sunday, October 1 we will have a $5 Brown Bag Sale from 10:00AM to 2:00PM.

Clean your shelves, sort through your books, and join us during the book sale and restock! See you there!

Fall Sports Season

by | | Growing the Community • Information • Something to do • Topsham Tales

M T A !

M T A !

M T A!

If you are anywhere in the vicinity of Mt. Ararat High School this fall, you might hear enthusiastic fans chanting and yelling in support of their athletes. The nights are cold, but the enthusiasm is infectious, and the feats are daring. There are many talented student-athletes at Mt. Ararat High School.

Being a spectator at these high school sporting events is a great way to become involved in your community. Games are affordable and a great way to support the community. (There are entrance fees. It’s $4 per adult, but there is a discount for senior citizens and students. The fees go to support Mt. Ararat High School Sports, so you are contributing to the community with your attendance!) Take in a football game under the lights on Friday night, or a soccer match – men’s or women’s, or maybe golf is more your thing, and there is also field hockey, and cross country. For a schedule of events click here.

Not only does Topsham Public Library service community members of all ages, but community members of all ages also service Topsham Public Library as volunteers, and some of those volunteers are Mt. Ararat High School athletes.

Grab your hat, coat, and mitts (temperatures can drop quickly on the fields), put on your red, white, and blue and support Mt. Ararat High School Athletics.

Go Eagles!

You Need A New Bookmark!

by | | Information • Topsham Tales

At Topsham Public Library, we are always trying to find ways to keep you connected with books you might like to read. Bookmarks with lists of book suggestions are our newest way. Each bookmark has a theme or read alike suggestions.

Currently we have one holder, but we are looking to add another holder with even more themes and ideas.

There is also a bookmark asking for your suggestions of what lists you would like to see.

So, come on in and check it out!

 

Staycation Pictures! Thank you, Keith Spiro!

by | | Something to do • Special Events • Topsham Tales

Here is just a sampling in pictures of Staycation 2017! The sun was out, the ice cream was delicious, and the smiles contagious! Thank you to all who came out and enjoyed their day with us! And thank you, Keith Spiro for the great pictures. To view the entire gallery, click here.

 

 

Mr. Rich Roedner, Topsham Town Manager, started off the festivities reading some of his favorites to children.

 

 

 

 

 

A little later in the morning, Principal Randa Rineer, representing Williams-Cone School joined, in the fun.

 

 

Here’s Police Chief Lewis telling a story!

 

And Principal Dedek (Photo by library staff)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Master storyteller Carol Birch shared her gift with us and entertained us with her talent.

 

 

 

Everyone enjoyed the grounds at Topsham Public Library while we picnicked and played.

The afternoon was filled with poetry and mystery, as Maine poet Gary Rainford, and Maine author Paul Doiron, were with us to share their love of words and stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you also to U.S. Cellular and Friends of the Topsham Public Library for sponsoring this event.

Say Hello to a New Staff Member!

by | | Topsham Tales

If you have frequented Topsham Public Library in the past few weeks, you noticed a new face behind the desk. Cat is our newest member of staff, so please stop by and say hi!

Cat grew up in Wolfboro, NH, but she has Maine connections as her grandparents lived in Topsham. As much as we love Cat’s knowledge of graphic novels (she prefers DC over Marvel, Batman over Superman, and Wonder Woman over Isis), we especially appreciate Cat’s experience as a chocolatier for six months at a five star establishment on St. Lucia. There’s nothing we like better than when Cat comes through the door and says, “I’ve been playing in the kitchen,” or “I made some chocolates. Would you be willing to taste test them for me?” Does the earth revolve around the sun?

As someone who enjoys cooking, Cat has some very definitive tastes. First of all, at our next cookout, we will not offer Cat any condiments. She hates them! No ketchup and no mustard for her! She might do a little cranberry sauce, but other than that – nothing. She is in a bit of a quandry though when it comes to deciding whether to eat cake for dessert or cake for breakfast, she’ll probably do both, but she does prefer pie to cake. Pizza is also a no-no for Cat as it has tomatoes. Cat doesn’t eat tomatoes or bacon. But Skittles. There is never a bad time for Skittles.

When Cat is not here, she likes to knit, play in the kitchen, sculpt with gumpaste, read comics (not just superhero ones) and listen to The Thrilling Adventure Hour which is an old-style radio play podcast. But you will not find her hiking. She hates hiking. Swimming is ok, but hiking not so much.

So come on over to Topsham Public Library and give Cat a big welcome!

 

 

Guest Blogger Keith Spiro and Tai Chi at Topsham Public Library

by | | Garden Programs • Library Gardens • Patron Review • Something to do • Topsham Tales • TPL Gardens • TPL Programs

As part of the summer reading program at Topsham Public Library, Tai Chi was offered on Saturday morning July 1 and July 8. Library Champion (and Official Photographer), Keith Spiro was one of the participants and he has written this week’s blog about his experience. Thank you, Keith!

With soft meditative music in the background, nearly a dozen of us gather on the brick patio behind the Topsham Public Library for an introductory lesson in Tai Chi.

We focus on the three basic conditions: Mind, Breath and Posture.

We learn to transfer energy by gathering fresh energy from the sky and ground while breathing in and exchanging out the stale as we exhale.

Tai Chi and Qugong have been prevalent in China for thousands of years. They are key to self-care in Chinese medicine and are used to increase vitality and inner peace. The practice of Tai Chi can also be a lovely way to loosen up your muscles and start the day.  The smooth fluid motions fit delightfully with the background music and being outside, we felt the light slightly cool breeze and bright sunshine. The new patio allowed a choice of sunshine or shade at that 9a.m. start time.

Our guide, Robin Brooks, directed us to take in a full awareness of ourselves as we traced our own energy across our body along the energy channels. She has come back to Tai Chi after first practicing it many years earlier. While there are 108 movements, she now practices a form of easy Tai Chi. Actually, there is even teacher certification for it as Tai Chi Easy™ as taught by a fellow in Santa Barbara California. His method makes it immediately easy, beneficial and probably of growing value in rehab and long term care venues.

For all of us that morning, it was a fast and fun introduction to the practice of Tai Chi. With concentration, I really could feel the energy in my hands while holding a Tai Chi ball.  The fluidness of motion was easy on my barely awake body as I gently stretched muscles and tendons.

I found it quite pleasant to be gathered as a group going through the practice and motions while paying attention to my posture and energy.

Big thanks to the Topsham Public Library and Robin Brooks for giving us the opportunity to learn something new – while showing off the new space outside the library walls. Topsham Public Library truly is a community center for everyone.

Re-printed with permission from keithspiro.wordpress.com.

Children’s Programs During Staycation2017!

by | | Special Events

Hopefully, by now you have heard about Staycation 2017! at Topsham Public Library and you know about the great programming offered to adults. But there is a ton of stuff going on that day for children, too!

Beginning at 9:30a.m., on Saturday, July 29, a line-up of special guests will read to children. The fun begins with Topsham Town Manager Rich Roedner, followed by Woodside Elementary Principal Dedek, then Fire Chief Brian Stockdale, Williams-Cone School Principal Rineer is at 11a.m. and to end off the reading is Topsham Police Chief Lewis at 11:30a.m.

But the fun doesn’t end there! Bring your lunch and picnic on our grounds. Walk through our gardens. Bring a frisbee or a ball and play in our fields.

A BIG THANK YOU! to Friends of the Topsham Public Library for providing the free ice cream and beverages and they will be offering some activities for the children, too! If you’re not a member of Friends of the Topsham Public Library, check out their table during Staycation and get involved.

We also want to thank U.S. Cellular for their sponsorship of Staycation 2017! The continued support from our community – residents and businesses included – is greatly appreciated.