City Won’t Seek Jail for It’s Perfectly Normal Protester
A standoff of more than a year ended August 29 in Lewiston, Maine, when city officials decided not to pursue further action against JoAn Karkos, who has refused to return the Lewiston Public Library’s copy of the youth sex-education book It’s Perfectly Normal that she borrowed in the summer of 2007 to keep it out of circulation. Karkos had defied an August 27 district court order to return the book and pay a $100 fine and was threatened with jail time if she did not return the book by 4 p.m. August 29.
“We feel there’s little to be gained,” by seeking imprisonment, library Director Rick Speer told American Libraries. “It would help her be a martyr and may bring public sentiment to her side.” He noted, however, that because of the case, the community expressed its support for the library on the issues of theft and censorship.
Karkos’s efforts also failed to make the title unavailable for borrowing in Lewiston. An August 29 city press release noted: “The library now has four copies of the same book, all donated by others, instead of the one that existed, [and Karkos’s] right to use the public library has been suspended and will remain so until such time that she complies with the order.”
http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2008/august2008/nojailforkarkos.cfm
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Grandma Could Face Jail Time
Grandma Refuses to Return Library Book, Could Face Jail Time
The Book Titled 'It's Perfectly Normal' Is Frequently Protested
By SARAH NETTER
A concerned grandmother would rather go to jail than let neighborhood kids read about sex in a library book.
She may get her wish.
Officials in Lewiston, Maine, have told JoAn Karkos that she could face jail time if she does not, by this afternoon, return the library book "It's Perfectly Normal."
Karkos has had the book checked out of the Lewiston Public Library for more than a year in hopes of preventing children from reading it. Aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds, the book discusses puberty, sexual health and the emotions surrounding a child's newfound sexual awareness.
Her protest is not the first of its kind. From Texas to Colorado, people concerned about the book's frank images and language have staged protests to get it pulled off shelves at libraries and schools.
Karkos heard about the book from a newsletter put out by the American Life League, a national anti-abortion rights group, that included copies of pictures from the book with the nudity censored.
"I was horrified, just by the newsletter," she said.
After finding the book at the library, Karkos -- a mother of two grown children and grandmother to two young boys -- checked it out and read it. She said it teaches children that their bodies are like a "plaything."
"This is a sex initiation book," she said.
Karkos would prefer that children in the age group targeted by "It's Perfectly Normal" receive gender-specific information at school about their changing bodies. There's no reason, she said, that they need to know about sexually transmitted diseases, abortion or birth control.
Karkos even went so far as to send a check for $20.95 to the library, the cost of the book plus tax. When the check was returned along with a copy of library procedures, she mailed it back.
Karkos tried bringing her protest before city officials, saying the book violated city ordinances on obscenity. Her objection was overruled.
The book has gone out 48 times in 13 years and one person has a problem with it," he said. Parents, he said, have thanked library staff for stocking the book. The check Karkos mailed back to the library remains there, uncashed. "Our books aren't for sale," Speer said.
"It's Perfectly Normal" ranked No. 9 on the American Library Association's 2007 compilation of most frequently challenged books. Speer said it nabbed the top spot a few years ago. The book also ranked No. 15 on the association's Top 100 challenged books from 1990 to 2000.
Currently reading: Yes We can, YA Bio of Barack Obama
See full story....
Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
The Book Titled 'It's Perfectly Normal' Is Frequently Protested
By SARAH NETTER
A concerned grandmother would rather go to jail than let neighborhood kids read about sex in a library book.
She may get her wish.
Officials in Lewiston, Maine, have told JoAn Karkos that she could face jail time if she does not, by this afternoon, return the library book "It's Perfectly Normal."
Karkos has had the book checked out of the Lewiston Public Library for more than a year in hopes of preventing children from reading it. Aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds, the book discusses puberty, sexual health and the emotions surrounding a child's newfound sexual awareness.
Her protest is not the first of its kind. From Texas to Colorado, people concerned about the book's frank images and language have staged protests to get it pulled off shelves at libraries and schools.
Karkos heard about the book from a newsletter put out by the American Life League, a national anti-abortion rights group, that included copies of pictures from the book with the nudity censored.
"I was horrified, just by the newsletter," she said.
After finding the book at the library, Karkos -- a mother of two grown children and grandmother to two young boys -- checked it out and read it. She said it teaches children that their bodies are like a "plaything."
"This is a sex initiation book," she said.
Karkos would prefer that children in the age group targeted by "It's Perfectly Normal" receive gender-specific information at school about their changing bodies. There's no reason, she said, that they need to know about sexually transmitted diseases, abortion or birth control.
Karkos even went so far as to send a check for $20.95 to the library, the cost of the book plus tax. When the check was returned along with a copy of library procedures, she mailed it back.
Karkos tried bringing her protest before city officials, saying the book violated city ordinances on obscenity. Her objection was overruled.
The book has gone out 48 times in 13 years and one person has a problem with it," he said. Parents, he said, have thanked library staff for stocking the book. The check Karkos mailed back to the library remains there, uncashed. "Our books aren't for sale," Speer said.
"It's Perfectly Normal" ranked No. 9 on the American Library Association's 2007 compilation of most frequently challenged books. Speer said it nabbed the top spot a few years ago. The book also ranked No. 15 on the association's Top 100 challenged books from 1990 to 2000.
Currently reading: Yes We can, YA Bio of Barack Obama
See full story....
Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
Monday, August 18, 2008
Very Well Said
"It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company?"
Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston
Saturday, August 16, 2008
My Nine
I met someone, last Saturday at the library (berry). Being a newly single person, and looking to change my single status, this is exciting. It’s not everyday I meet someone fairly interesting.
We spent 4 ½ hours together, getting to know each other. We both live in the Bronx, actually his building is across the street from the berry. We talked about the latest books and movies, we read and saw. He recently read Batman and Wolverine (graphic novels) and is into horror movies. I informed him that I was not a horror movie fan; however I did recommend a few movies he should check out. I also told him I recently saw Hancock, we both liked it. We played a card game during our time together; I think he let me win. I also introduced him to my new favorite computer game, “Type or Die.” He did not do as well as I did.
We talked about our backgrounds, and all the other initial meeting stuff. He is originally from Georgia, and recently relocated to the Bronx, four years ago. He prefers Georgia to the Bronx. His dad is from the Dominican Republic and his mom is from Panama.
He introduced me to his older sister; she is 3 years older than him. She didn’t seem to o friendly, sisters usually don’t like girls interested in their brothers.
No one is “good enough” for their brothers. She doesn’t know how fabulous I am, yet!
He said he was going to call me “Miss Librarian.” I like that
I told him I would be going on vacation, for one week. He asked when was my first day back and he said he would come back to see me upon my return.
Sure enough on Monday afternoon, he came in to see me. A man who keeps his word.
He asked about my vacation, (asked questions, he’s interested) and I told him I had a good time in Orlando. I told him I did not visit Disneyland, he asked why?
He also told me some of the movies I recommended had come in, and he checked them out. “Freddy Kruger was not that scary,” he said. He had never seen any of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.
He bought Gatorade and asked if I would like some, a sharer, sweet, he brought a gift already.
The pro column on the pro and con list is quickly filling up.
He came in on Tuesday, I was leaving early to attend a meeting at another branch, and I told him I would see him later on during the week.
The one and only con, he’s nine years old.
We spent 4 ½ hours together, getting to know each other. We both live in the Bronx, actually his building is across the street from the berry. We talked about the latest books and movies, we read and saw. He recently read Batman and Wolverine (graphic novels) and is into horror movies. I informed him that I was not a horror movie fan; however I did recommend a few movies he should check out. I also told him I recently saw Hancock, we both liked it. We played a card game during our time together; I think he let me win. I also introduced him to my new favorite computer game, “Type or Die.” He did not do as well as I did.
We talked about our backgrounds, and all the other initial meeting stuff. He is originally from Georgia, and recently relocated to the Bronx, four years ago. He prefers Georgia to the Bronx. His dad is from the Dominican Republic and his mom is from Panama.
He introduced me to his older sister; she is 3 years older than him. She didn’t seem to o friendly, sisters usually don’t like girls interested in their brothers.
No one is “good enough” for their brothers. She doesn’t know how fabulous I am, yet!
He said he was going to call me “Miss Librarian.” I like that
I told him I would be going on vacation, for one week. He asked when was my first day back and he said he would come back to see me upon my return.
Sure enough on Monday afternoon, he came in to see me. A man who keeps his word.
He asked about my vacation, (asked questions, he’s interested) and I told him I had a good time in Orlando. I told him I did not visit Disneyland, he asked why?
He also told me some of the movies I recommended had come in, and he checked them out. “Freddy Kruger was not that scary,” he said. He had never seen any of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.
He bought Gatorade and asked if I would like some, a sharer, sweet, he brought a gift already.
The pro column on the pro and con list is quickly filling up.
He came in on Tuesday, I was leaving early to attend a meeting at another branch, and I told him I would see him later on during the week.
The one and only con, he’s nine years old.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
This Is Not A Political Blog!
I am not a political analyst nor do I play one on TV! Nor am I beating you all over the head with my political belief, party, candidate, (Change) etc.
However, I do like free things, as most of you know. Here’s one, a free Obama button.
MoveOn's giving them away totally free--no strings attached, and I wanted to share the opportunity with you.
Click this link to get a free Obama button:
http://pol.moveon.org/obamabuttons/?id=-9986560-7OwTPPx&rc=manual_forward.manual_forward
Currently reading: Trading Dreams At Midnight, by Diane Mckinney-Whetstone.
However, I do like free things, as most of you know. Here’s one, a free Obama button.
MoveOn's giving them away totally free--no strings attached, and I wanted to share the opportunity with you.
Click this link to get a free Obama button:
http://pol.moveon.org/obamabuttons/?id=-9986560-7OwTPPx&rc=manual_forward.manual_forward
Currently reading: Trading Dreams At Midnight, by Diane Mckinney-Whetstone.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
How NOT to Multi-task
First, a few quick reasons not to multi-task:
1. Multi-tasking is less efficient, due to the need to switch gears for each new task, and the switch back again.
2. Multi-tasking is more complicated, and thus more prone to stress and errors.
3. Multi-tasking can be crazy, and in this already chaotic world, we need to reign in the terror and find a little oasis of sanity and calm.
Here are some tips on how NOT to multi-task:
1. First set up to-do lists for different contexts (i.e. calls, computer, errands, home,
waiting- for, etc.) depending on your situation.
2. Have a capture tool (such as a notebook) for instant notes on what needs to be done.
3. Have a physical and email inbox (as few inboxes as possible) so that all incoming stuff is
gathered together in one place (one for paper stuff, one for digital).
4. Plan your day in blocks, with open blocks in between for urgent stuff that comes up. You
might try one-hour blocks, or half-hour blocks, depending on what works for you. Or try
this: 40 minute blocks, with 20 minutes in between them for miscellaneous tasks.
5. First thing in the morning, work on your Most Important Task. Don’t do anything else
until this is done. Give yourself a short break, and then start on your next Most Important
Task. If you can get 2-3 of these done in the morning, the rest of the day is gravy.
6. When you are working on a task in a time block, turn off all other distractions. Shut off
email, and the Internet if possible. Shut off your cell phone. Try not to answer your phone
if possible. Focus on that one task, and try to get it done without worrying about other
stuff.
7. If you feel the urge to check your email or switch to another task, stop yourself. Breathe
deeply. Re-focus yourself. Get back to the task other inboxes at regular and pre-
determined intervals.
Brought to you by:
http://zenhabits.net/2007/02/how-not-to-multitask-work-simpler
1. Multi-tasking is less efficient, due to the need to switch gears for each new task, and the switch back again.
2. Multi-tasking is more complicated, and thus more prone to stress and errors.
3. Multi-tasking can be crazy, and in this already chaotic world, we need to reign in the terror and find a little oasis of sanity and calm.
Here are some tips on how NOT to multi-task:
1. First set up to-do lists for different contexts (i.e. calls, computer, errands, home,
waiting- for, etc.) depending on your situation.
2. Have a capture tool (such as a notebook) for instant notes on what needs to be done.
3. Have a physical and email inbox (as few inboxes as possible) so that all incoming stuff is
gathered together in one place (one for paper stuff, one for digital).
4. Plan your day in blocks, with open blocks in between for urgent stuff that comes up. You
might try one-hour blocks, or half-hour blocks, depending on what works for you. Or try
this: 40 minute blocks, with 20 minutes in between them for miscellaneous tasks.
5. First thing in the morning, work on your Most Important Task. Don’t do anything else
until this is done. Give yourself a short break, and then start on your next Most Important
Task. If you can get 2-3 of these done in the morning, the rest of the day is gravy.
6. When you are working on a task in a time block, turn off all other distractions. Shut off
email, and the Internet if possible. Shut off your cell phone. Try not to answer your phone
if possible. Focus on that one task, and try to get it done without worrying about other
stuff.
7. If you feel the urge to check your email or switch to another task, stop yourself. Breathe
deeply. Re-focus yourself. Get back to the task other inboxes at regular and pre-
determined intervals.
Brought to you by:
http://zenhabits.net/2007/02/how-not-to-multitask-work-simpler
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
