National Library Week

Archer Library & ATS Library

Celebrate "Find Your Joy" and National Library Week with us.

Archer Library

• April 21:  Treats and drinks to celebrate National Library week from 1 - 3 p.m.
• April 22:  The winner of Archer Library's Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award will be announced at Noon, during the URCA Symposium. Join us in the Alumni Room.

Seminary Library

• Get popcorn at ATS library all week long!
• April 21 & April 23:  Enjoy Goldberry drinks and sweet treats from 8 - 10:30 a.m.

#NationalLibraryWeek

Celebrating National Library Week

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom released its annual list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books at the start of #NationalLibraryWeek. Find out more about the list and help raise awareness about the freedom to read.

2023 Top 10 Most Challenged Books

1. Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Mala Kobabe
2. All Boys Aren't Blue, by George M. Johnson
3. This Book is Gay, by Juno Dawson
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
5. Flamer, by Mike Curato
6. The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
7. Tie: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, by Jesse Andrews
8. Tie: Tricks, by Ellen Hopkins
9. Let's Talk About It: The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human, by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
10. Sold, by Patricia McCormick
    
    

National Library Week • April 3-9

Top 10 Frequently Challenged Books 2021

National Library Week, April 3-9, 2022, features the release of the American Library Association's (ALA) 2022 State of America's Libraries Report. Included in this report are the top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2021; titles are featured in the above infographic and text below.

2022 State of America's Libraries Report

The American Library Association tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021. Of the 1,597 individual books that were challenged or banned in 2021, here are the top 10 most challenged: 

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images. 
2. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison. Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. 
3. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson. Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. 
4. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez. Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for depictions of abuse and because it was considered to be sexually explicit. 
5. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, violence, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message and indoctrination of a social agenda. 
6. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and use of a derogatory term. 
7. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and degrading to women. 
8. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Reasons: Banned and challenged because it depicts child sexual abuse and was considered sexually explicit. 
9. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson. Reasons: Banned, challenged, relocated, and restricted for providing sexual education and LGBTQIA+ content.
10. Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin. Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit.

Infographic & text used with permission. State of America's Libraries Toolkit.

Library Celebration

    I am excited to share our new Library Display just in time for National Library Week 2021 (April 4th to 10th). 

     Learn more about AU's library with photos pulled from the Archives. There are images from previous libraries where you can sneak glimpses of buildings that have been repurposed or no longer exist. 

     There are images of the construction of the current library in 1971, as well as images from it's opening. Looking through these - it is fun to see what has changed and what is the same.     

   

    Sprinkled throughout are also some fun facts about libraries in general. For example do you know what "Library Hand" is and why is went out of style? Let's just say this Librarian was excited to learn new Library trivia too! Here's a tidbit that didn't make it into the display: Some famous librarians or library workers include: Former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, author Lewis Carroll, former first lady Laura Bush and China's Mao Zedong! 

     The bottom is edged with Library posters of yesteryear - some dating back to Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1940s, others from previous National Book Weeks of the 60s and 70s. I think they are some great works of art and its fun to remember all the library posters from when I was younger. 

Libraries are often called invaluable because of the many great services they offer for free for their patrons, and while this can't put a number on everything, the ALA has this calculator for you to try out if you have ever wondered how much money using the library saves you. Give it a try here: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/library-value-calculator. 

I hope you enjoy this display and make sure to celebrate all the libraries in your life!

Celebrating National Library Week, Because ...

Celebrating National Library Week, Because ...

Celebrating National Library Week, Because ...

Celebrating National Library Week, Because ...

Celebrating National Library Week, Because...

Celebrating National Library Week, Because ...

Celebrating National Library Week

National Library Week
AU Library continues to serve the Ashland University community during these changing times through electronic resources and digital content. You can access library databases, e-book collections, Library Guides, and chat with a librarian —all from home.

National Library Week is April 19th through 25th. Show your support by visiting our website or social media channels including AU Library Facebook, IRC Pinterest and Twitter, AU Library Podcast, and the library and IRC news and information blogs. We look forward to being back on campus and working with the Ashland University community.

 #TogetherApart #NationalLibraryWeek

National Library Week: #HowDoYouLibrary

National Library Week Survey: Still Time

AU Library Student and Faculty Surveys:  Open through April 17th

It's not too late!  The National Library Week survey is open through the end of the day. We would like to know more about your Ashland University Library experiences. When you've completed the survey, enter your email for a chance to win one of three $10 Subway gift cards.

Need the survey link? Check your AU email or AU portal announcements. You may also chat with or text the IRC at 419.938.4134, and we'll send you the student or faculty link.

Thank you for celebrating #NationalLibraryWeek with us.

National Library Week Surveys

#National Library Week Survey Links

Are you looking for the AU Library Student or Faculty survey?

• Links are included with AU Portal National Library Week announcements.
• Text 419.938.4134 or chat with the IRC and we will send you the link (be sure to request the student or faculty survey).
• AU Library Student Orientation in Blackboard has a link with announcements.
• AU Library Faculty Resources in Blackboard has a link with announcements.

Thank you for participating in our survey ... and good luck in the gift card drawing.

National Library Week: Buttons

Did you get your National Library Week button? We have three different styles of buttons featuring a variety of book sculpture images. Buttons are available at the circulation desk, library main floor. There's still time, be sure to get yours while they last.

National Library Week: Guess How Many Books?

Coming or going ... front to back ... left to right ... top to bottom

There are a lot of books in the main floor library display case. Take a guess at how many books we have loaded in the display case and enter to win a #NationalLibraryWeek prize. Stop at the circulation desk, AU Library main floor, to enter the contest. We will share the answer, and the contest winner, next week.

National Library Week: Cookie Day

Cookie Day: Monday, April 10th

We are celebrating National Library Week with cookie day> Come in to the library and enjoy a variety of tasty homemade cookies. Our cookie table is located on the Library main floor, near the main entrance. Hope to see you soon! #NationalLibraryWeek

National Library Week: April 9-15

It's National Library Week!

"First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate." - ALA National Library Week

AU Library Student and Faculty Surveys:  April 7th - April 17th
In recognition of #NationalLibraryWeek, we would like to know more about your Ashland University Library experiences. When you've completed the survey, enter your email for a chance to win one of three $10 Subway gift cards.

Need the survey link? Check your AU email or AU portal announcements. You may also chat with or text the IRC at 419.938.4134, and we'll send you the student or faculty link.

National Library Week Cookie Day: Monday, April 10th
Stop in the library for a cookie break! Our cookie table will be located on the main floor.

National Library Workers Day: Tuesday, April 11th
Celebrate with us by saying thank you to our AU Library student workers. Circulation and Instructional Resource Center student workers play a big role in our every day success.

Guess How Many Books: April 7th - April 17th
Use your powers of observation (and maybe math) to guess how many books are located in the display case on the main floor. Submit your guess at the circulation desk and be registered to win a National Library Week surprise.

National Library Week Buttons: While supplies last
Back by popular demand, a variety of limited edition National Library Week buttons will be available at the circulation desk on the main floor.

Coming Soon: National Library Week

Next week is National
Library Week! 

Stay tuned for a week of planned activities:

• How Many Books in the display?
• National Library Worker Day 
• AU Library Cookie Day
  Monday, 4/10
• AU Library Survey & gift cards
  April 7th to April 17th 
• National Library Week buttons 

Check for an announcement in the portal for survey links. Daily blog posts, here and on the IRC News Blog, will keep you up to date. Follow the IRC on Twitter and Pinterest, and AU Library on Facebook for additional resources.

Gift Card Winners: National Library Week

Congratulations to the winners of our National Library Week drawings!

$50 Gift card to the bookstore: Katie Manahan
$10 Gift card to Eva’s Treats: Taylor Young and Arianna Ciepiel

$10 Gift card to Subway:

• Student winners: Hisham Ahmad, Byron Reyna Corzo, Kayla Gowdy
• Faculty winners: David Aune, Latina Brooks, Sivakumar Venkatarmany

All winners were notified via AU email yesterday (4/18). Pick up your gift card at the circulation desk, Library main floor. Thank you again to everyone who participated in our National Library Week activities.