This week is Banned Books Week, an annual American Library Association (ALA) event that celebrates the freedom to read by asking us to consider the danger of censorship and honor the power of words.

Every year, books in schools and libraries are challenged, meaning a person or group has requested their removal or restriction. The reasons for these challenges are manifold, ranging from objections to explicit content, offensive language, or age-inappropriate material. Yet, most challenges are unsuccessful due to the hard work of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who support and promote our freedom to openly access information and literature.

Check out our display on the first floor of Paley Library, across from the service desk. The featured books have all been challenged at some point in libraries and schools, along with many other frequently challenged books. Consider checking one out and support your freedom to read.

Join the Conversation
You can also join the conversation online and speak out against censorship! The Rebel Reader Twitter Tournament, sponsored by ALA, invites you to tweet any of the following action items. Use the hashtags #RebelReader and #TempleLibraries during Banned Books Week for a chance to win an array of literary prizes from ALA.

1. TAKE A SELFIE with a banned or challenged book
2. SHARE A VIDEO of yourself talking about censorship or reading from a banned or challenged book
3. POST A QUOTE from a favorite banned or challenged book. Popular banned and challenged titles can be found at ala.org/bbooks.
4. SHARE A STORY about an educator who helped you learn the power of words
5. TWEET SOME LOVE at a banned author from this list: twitter.com/OIF/lists/banned-authors/members

#BannedBooksWeek
#RebelReader
#TempleLibraries

photo courtesy Haley Richter

Starting this Friday, we’ll have some furry friends in Paley Library to help you destress in the midst of final exams! This event is part of our Crunch Time Café, a series of events providing free food, activities, and a break from studying. Hang out with the therapy dogs in the Paley Library Lecture Hall during the following times:

Friday, May 5, 1:00–2:30 PM
Monday, May 8, 10:30 AM–Noon

photo courtesy Haley Richter

Don’t forget about our other Crunch Time Café events over the next two weeks!

Crafts & Games
Wednesday, May 3, Noon–3:00 PM
Take a break from studying by unwinding with crafts and games the day before final exams begin.

Get Your Study On
Thursday, May 4, 6:00–8:00 PM
Join us the first day of exams for caffeine, treats, and healthy snacks. You got this!

The End is Near!
Tuesday, May 9, 7:30–11:00 AM
You are so close! Join us one last time for breakfast treats and coffee to help you power through to the end of exams and propel you toward a much needed summer break.

AND TO MAKE YOUR STUDYING EASIER

Paley Library is open 24/7 through April 28-May 9. You can also book study spaces ahead of time at paleystudy.temple.edu.

The Libraries are bringing back our Crunch Time Café between May 3rd and 9th to help you relax and refuel during study days and final exams. The ever-popular therapy dogs will also be on hand to help you destress! The full list of events is included below, all of which will take place in the Paley Library Lecture Hall, 1210 Polett Walk, Ground Floor.

Crafts & Games
Wednesday, May 3, Noon–3:00PM
Take a break from studying by unwinding with crafts and games the day before final exams begin.

Get Your Study On
Thursday, May 4, 6:00–8:00 PM
Join us the first day of exams for caffeine, treats, and healthy snacks. You got this!

Destress with Dogs
Friday, May 5, 1:00–2:30 PM
Monday, May 8, 10:30 AM–Noon
As exams are in full swing, can you imagine anything better than taking a break with cuddly, sweet therapy dogs? Neither can we! Stop by to hang out and destress with some furry friends.

The End is Near!
Tuesday, May 9, 7:30–11:00 AM
You are so close! Join us one last time for breakfast treats and coffee to help you power through to the end of exams and propel you toward a much needed summer break.

AND TO MAKE YOUR STUDYING EASIER

Paley Library is open 24/7 through April 28-May 9. You can also book study spaces ahead of time at paleystudy.temple.edu.

Today marks the beginning of National Library Week, 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.

How You Can Celebrate with TU Libraries

• Stop by our table in Paley Library and the Student Center for more information about library resources and services, as well as some fun stress-relief activities, giveaways, candy, and a chance to tell us why YOU are thankful for the Libraries.

Library Table Hours
Tuesday, April 11 from 2:00–4:00 PM in Paley Library
Wednesday, April 12 11:00 AM–1:00 PM in the Student Center
Thursday, April 13 from 2:00–4:00 PM in Paley Library

• Our Question of the Week board asks why YOU are thankful for the Libraries—what will you say?
• Follow #ThankTULibraries stories on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and add your own!
  

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What Library Resources Are TUL Staff Members Most Thankful For?

“I’m most thankful for the library’s video collection, as I’ve frequently used it for my film work. I’m also thankful for librarians who often direct me to the resources I need when I’m feeling overwhelmed and can’t find them.” –Gary Kramer, Publicity Manager, Temple University Press

“I am thankful for Interlibrary loan. I have gotten great books for both leisure and professional reading in the last few months that my local public library doesn’t have.” –Jenny Pierce, Head of Research, Education, and Outreach, Ginsburg Health Sciences Library

“Our committed, creative, & talented staff.” –Joe Lucia, Dean of Libraries

“Access to full text journals! We have so many.” –Lauri Fennell, Reference/Patron Services, Ginsburg Health Sciences Library

“I’m thrilled that we now have online access to the Philadelphia Inquirer for the entire 20th century (we had a gap of about 60 years previously). This is a huge improvement in access for students and faculty who are researching Philadelphia history in a wide range of disciplines. One faculty member told me it was the best news he’d heard in months!” –Rebecca Lloyd, Reference Librarian

Temple University Libraries are hosting an Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon on Friday, March 3 from 1:30-5:00 PM in the Digital Scholarship Center. We will start with tutorials for beginner Wikipedians at 1:30 PM, but we invite you to drop in at any time and join us!

The Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon is an international communal updating of Wikipedia content on subjects related to art and feminism. Universities and cultural institutions around the city of Philadelphia are hosting edit-a-thons throughout the month of March, where participants will gather in one place to edit, add, and improve Wikipedia entries.

Register here, arrive with your laptop or device, power cord, and ideas for entries. It’s that simple. We will provide tutorials for beginner Wikipedians, reference materials, and refreshments.

Since 2014, over 280 Art+Feminism Edit-a-thons have taken place across the world, creating and improving an estimated 4,600 articles. Join us to broaden that reach in 2017! 

#artandfeminism

This week is Fair Use Week 2017, an annual celebration coordinated by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to encourage conversations around fair use. In the United States, fair use refers to both copyright laws and the exceptions that allow us to use copyrighted materials without permission. Students, teachers, scholars, librarians, and many others interact with copyrighted materials on a daily basis, and the principle of fair use facilitates honoring intellectual property rights and accommodating the flexible needs of academic settings, emerging technologies, and free expression.

Temple University Libraries is joining the conversation with two programs this week. Please join us!

Tuesday, February 21, 2:00 PM
ACRL Webcast, “Using Fair Use to Preserve and Share Disappearing Government Information: A Guide for Rogue Librarians”
The Libraries will host a viewing of this ACRL webinar that will introduce fair use as an equitable doctrine designed to support librarianship and prepare participants to apply fair use in their own communities’ work.

Wednesday, February 22, 5:00 pm
Can I Use That? A Workshop on Copyright and Fair Use
Resident Librarian Anastasia Chiu will host drop-in workshop that will cover basic principles of copyright, fair use, and using sources ethically, in a competitive question-and-answer game show format. There are prizes for winners!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/can-i-use-that-a-workshop-on-copyright-fair-use-tickets-31946843870

Both programs will be held in the Digital Scholarship Center on the Ground Floor of Paley Library.

Want to learn more about fair use in the meantime? Check out the Libraries’ research guide about using copyrighted content in the classroom.

Klaus, a therapy dog

Starting this Friday, we’ll have some furry friends in Paley Library to help you destress in the midst of final exams! This event is part of our Crunch Time Café, a series of events providing free food, activities, and a break from studying. Hang out with the therapy dogs in the Paley Library Lecture Hall during the following times:

Friday, December 16, 1:00–2:30 PM
Monday, December 19, 10:30 AM–Noon

Don’t forget about our other Crunch Time Café events over the next two weeks!

Get Your Study On
Tuesday, December 13, 6:00–8:00 PM
Join us the first day of study days for caffeine, treats, and healthy snacks to start your studying off right.

Crafts & Games
Wednesday, December 14, 4:00–8:00 PM
Take a break from studying by unwinding with crafts and games the night before final exams begin.

Coffee Break with SAA
Thursday, December 15, 10:00 AM–Noon
Join us for free coffee and treats with the Temple University Student Alumni Association!

The End is Near!
Tuesday, December 20, 7:30–11:00 AM
You are so close! Join us one last time for breakfast treats and coffee to help you power through to the end of exams and propel you toward a much needed break.

TU Libraries Story Booth
Friday, December 16, 1:00–2:30 PM
Tuesday, December 20, 8:30–10:00 AM
Stop by our TU Libraries Story booth to tell us your library story. The first 18 students to share their stories with us will receive a free copy of How to See: Looking, Talking, and Thinking About Art by renowned painter David Salle.