The second half of September is approaching, but don’t worry, there is plenty to look forward to in the library and in the community!

First, local musician and photographer Lori Cleland will share her original and contemporary folk-style songs with her “Celebrating Michigan in Song and Photography” program at 6pm on September 28th. This event is open to the community and free. .

Then, celebrate Forbidden Book Week from September 26 to October 2. This year’s theme, chosen by the Forbidden Book Week Coalition, celebrates the right to read and free and open access to information with “Books Unite Us.” Censorship divides us.

Forbidden Book Week is an annual event that began in 1982 with the help of an international alliance of diverse organizations (the Coalition) who came together to raise awareness and fight against censorship and banning of books. . As stated on their site www.bannedbooksweek.org, “The Coalition seeks to engage diverse communities and inspire participation in Forbidden Book Week through education, advocacy and programming on the issue of book censorship.

Some of the members of the Banned Books Week Coalition include the American Booksellers Association; the American Library Association; American Association of Booksellers; American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of University Press; Authors’ Guild; Comics Legal Defense Fund; Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE); Freedom of Reading Foundation; and many others. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress and also receives support from the DKT Liberty Project and publisher Penguin Random House.

The American Library Association (ALA) also publishes its list of the 10 most contested books annually through the Office of Intellectual Freedom. The declaration on freedom to read issued by the ALA declares that “now, as always in our history, reading is one of our greatest freedoms… The written word is the natural medium of the new idea and the new voice where the original contributions to social growth come from… We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture.

The American Library Association, as shown on www.ala.org, “Condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information”. And so, annually compile a list of the Top 10 most contested books “to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools”.

ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 156 challenges regarding library, school, and university materials and services in 2020. There were 273 books targeted and the five most contested include Alex Gino’s “George”; “Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jayson Reynolds; “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely; “Speaks” of Laurie Halse Anderson; and “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie.

As reported by the Banned Books Week Coalition, this year’s ALA list includes titles that deal with racism and racial justice, as well as those that have shared stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. As in previous years, LGBTQ + content topped the list as well.

Ready to take advantage of the fall weather? Take a walk downtown – a scarecrow walk – and see how many community scarecrows you can find! The festive scarecrows are created by local businesses and organizations and will be on display throughout October. Ms. Nancy, the fantastic Children’s Librarian at Cheboygan Area Public Library, creates a scarecrow that will make you dream of books and the magic of stories. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite scarecrow! Ballots will be available at information kiosks throughout downtown and at City Hall after October 1.

It’s official! Room A on the lower level of the library is now the Linda Widrig Neuss Community Room! The Cheboygan Area Public Library would like to warmly thank all of Linda’s friends and family who attended and the Cheboygan Chamber of Commerce who cut the ribbon. The library is honored by Linda’s kindness and community spirit!