It’s National Library Week, so I’ve been thinking a lot about knowledge and the idea that knowledge should be readily available – for all. An informed populace is crucial to the health of the nation and a bulwark of democracy. The ability to think, to reason, to avoid being fooled, all these notions are tied to reading and easy access to the wisdom of the ages.
And this is exactly why libraries – and their contents – are under siege these days.
HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery recently told readers:
“Librarians are living in constant fear. They have become the targets
of Republican politicians and far-right groups like Moms for Liberty
Liberty that are hellbent on burning books about LGBTQ+ people,
people of color and racism. Some librarians are quitting their jobs
because of constant harassment; others are getting fired for
refusing to clear shelves of books that conservatives don’t like.”
If that’s not bad enough – and it is – Bendery informs us there’s another evil twist in the tale: “The GOP’s censorship campaign has shifted from book bans to legislation threatening librarians with jail time.” Idaho’s tried several times to enact such legislation; this February, West Virginia passed a bill “making librarians criminally liable if a minor comes across content that some might consider obscene.” Idaho, Iowa, Alabama, and Georgia are also considering various means of keeping books they don’t like off the shelves...and they’re not alone.
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom shared some frightening statistics: “The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers.”
Given these ever-more-frequent, ever-more-strident attacks, what can a concerned reader do to stem the tide of book-banning?
PEN America, an organization whose mission “is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible,” offers a number of ways to make one’s voice heard. Whether you’re a student, a parent, an author, or a librarian, PEN America provides advice, assistance, and resources to keep you informed and ready to push back.
The need to support the nation’s libraries is more urgent than ever. In Bendery’s HuffPost piece, American Library Association President Emily Drabinski draws a chilling conclusion: “What gets lost in conversations about book banning is that it’s really about eliminating the institution of the library, period. It’s not about the books. Well, it is about the books, but the books are the way in to gut one of the last public institutions that serves everyone.”
“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture,” Ray Bradbury once said. “Just get people to stop reading them.”
Bradbury was one of the 20th century’s finest fabulists, the author of The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and the worldwide blockbuster Fahrenheit 451. Published in 1952, the novel Fahrenheit 451 is set in a future where books are illegal and firemen don’t put out fires – they start them. Printed matter is what they burn.
Bradbury was writing in the tense, paranoid early years of the McCarthy era. But he might as well have penned those words last Thursday.
Support your local library. Speak up for the voices the hate-mongers would shut down. Before – as history’s proven again and again – they try to shut down yours.
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Students fight a book ban by giving away free banned bookswww.youtube.com
The New York Public Library has also weighed in on the matter, you can find its suggestions here.
Why Our Golden Retriever Loves Super Chewer BarkBox
I never understood the appeal of big dogs with all their slobber and their resemblance to mini-horses. I'm talking big big dogs. I grew up with dachshunds all my life, so that made sense to me. But when I was dating my now-husband and we were looking for a dog together, he was adamant about getting a big dog. He won that battle and we brought home our Golden Retriever, Tank, when he was about three months old. Even at three months, you could tell he was going to be a beast with his oversized paws - too big for his fluffy frame - and his monster head. Basically just a cute ball of fur that seemed to double in size almost overnight.
Those first few months, we'd bring home toys from the pet store and they'd be destroyed in hours. The little ball of fluff would bring the shredded toy to us as if he were delivering a present, tail wagging and all. As he got bigger, he didn't know his own strength, and no toy, rope, or ball could withstand his adorable puppy wrath. My husband and I kind of just accepted that the byproduct of having a big dog is that they eat more, they need more outdoor time, and they destroy their toys. That all changed when we found the premium subscription service, Super Chewer BarkBox.
Super Chewer BarkBox is a subscription service that sends your dog a box of toys, chews, and all-natural treats each month. Super Chewer is a box specifically designed for big dogs and "dogs who chew harder," and Tank definitely falls into that category. The toys are insanely durable and have lasted longer than any other toy we've bought for him. And if your dog destroys a toy, they'll replace it for free. Every box has a different theme from Chewrassic Bark with a "T-Rex bone" chew toy to Knights of the Round Table with medieval-themed toys. Those are fun for us, -but I think Tank's favorite part of the box is the treats. We're pretty conscious about the food we give him - my husband trained him never to beg for food - so having delicious, all-natural treats for Tank is really nice. The "meaty chews" keep him occupied for days, and they're good for his teeth!
Tank now knows what the brown box looks like and follows me around the house waiting for me to open it up for him. If I take too long, he gets a little impatient and will sit and whimper trying to get my attention (might just be the cutest thing ever). One time, my husband left the box near the back door and when we got home Tank had eaten right into it and found his chew. That's how much he loves it.
Every month, my husband and I look forward to a new Super Chewer box. It's fun to open up the box and see Tank flip out for new toys. We haven't had to request any new toys yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tank destroys one eventually! I may not have been a big dog fan before, but now I'm absolutely obsessed - slobbery kisses and all. He is so sweet, has the best manners, and knows when I need extra cuddles. Tank loves going for hikes and playing with dogs at the dog park, but there's nothing that gets him more excited than his Super Chewer box each month.
Update: The folks at Super Chewer BarkBox are extending a special offer to our readers! Select how big your dog is below to get a free extra toy with a 6 or 12 month plan (Up to a $108 Value)!