Archive for the ‘hot topics’ Category

Recently I’ve been getting some slack from my friends because I play Pokemon. The latest rendition of the Pokemon video game series, for Nintendo DS/DSi was released on Sunday, and I’ve been in full Pokemon mode ever since! (Notice a lack of posts this week–that’s why!) This time around, you can choose from HeartGold or SoulSilver, which I understand to be remakes of a couple older games. I’m into playing Pokemon, but I haven’t been playing for long. I recently started when Diamond and Pearl came out, and then I moved to Platinum. So, you wouldn’t call me a hard core Pokemon fan, but I’m definitely getting up there. (For example, I look up how-to guides online, and I’ve recently been obsessed with breeding–yay for getting my first Ditto!–sorry non-Pokemon fans…)

So here I am, in my mid-20s, playing Pokemon. And I’m not ashamed! I don’t even give the excuse–ooh, I’m going to be a teen librarian, I need to know what they’re playing, um, exactly–no! I’m a proud Pokemon player. Is there any age that’s too old? This type of thinking can be carried across many things, including books, games, activities, etc. How old is too old to read YA? How old is too old to watch Saturday morning cartoons? How old is too old to watch Hannah Montana?

I want everyone that does something they are “too old” for to stand up proud, wave their old-person flag, and say loudly, I LOVE ____! I love Pokemon. I love reading YA. I imagine I’ll be doing both until I’m very old. Old will never be too old for me!

This week in my YA library services class we are discussing and reading literature and articles on teen spaces in libraries. I’m of the opinion that every library should have a separate space, ideally a separate room, for teens. If the need is there (which, honestly, it probably is, except maybe in the Florida Keys…). I don’t think this should just apply for teens–children should also have their own space (and most libraries do have a children’s room/area), as well as adults. However, many areas of a library are open for usage by anyone, and are primarily used by adults for their information, recreational, and educational needs. Adults aren’t loud, rambunctious, or at the library to socialize (for the most part). Teens use the library to hang with friends, play games on the computer, update their social networks, and maybe even some homework or learning! Teens like to talk, and don’t want to be “shh-ed” all the time. (Who would?)

Solution: get the teens their own space where they can be open, away from adults, and won’t distract other users. Of course, a teen space should have rules to guide it, just like any area of the library. As I was volunteering this week at a local library, I worked in the teen room shelving CDs. The librarian on duty there had to discuss with a few teens regarding their language–they were cursing, rather frequently. She gave them a warning and asked them to refrain from cursing. Rules are a necessary part of a library, especially in a teen space that allows a variety of ages (usually 12-18). While parents may not care if their 18-year-old teen is cursing (although I’m sure most do!), the parent of a 12-year-old will probably have concerns. However, rules should be appropriate, and fair, and ideally made in consultation with teens that frequent the library, or perhaps a teen advisory council, if the library has one.

I’ve also recently read a few posts in the blogosphere discussing adult access to a teen space and the teen collection. Some libraries have the teen collection (mainly, YA books) in the teen space–and they won’t allow adults in there at all, or only with a librarian escort. Is this appropriate? What about people like me, in library school, that are reading YA books, or YA writers that would like to research the market? Should the collection be available to all, or only to teens?

I feel that every collection in every library should be open to all. Of course, adults shouldn’t “hang out” in the teen area–that defeats the purpose! But I don’t see a problem with allowing adults to access the YA collection of books, games, etc. The YA market has tons of adult readers these days, and I hope most libraries realize this.

What do you think about teen library spaces? What is the teen space at your library like? Here are a few sites you can check out to discover some great teen spaces, or other resources.

“The Need for Teen Spaces in Public Libraries,” by Kimberly Bolan for YALSA

Kimberly Bolan’s Flickr site, which features photographs of teen spaces across the country

YALSA recently wrote about the Common Sense ratings (for books) that Barnes and Noble have been exhibiting on their website. Here’s a view from the Barnes and Noble web site of the Common Sense rating for Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (referenced in the article):

Readers, what do you think? As YALSA questions, could this be a slippery slope to further censorship? Should books be rated as movies are rated? “The thing is, who does get to own common sense and determine what’s right for a particular teen or a particular family?”

Good question! In my YA services class this week, we are discussing collection development, and as a part of that censorship. From a librarian’s point of view, my responsibility is to build up my collection as best will serve the teens at my library–I’m not the person to decide what they can and cannot read. I should choose age-appropriate titles, but who decides exactly what is age appropriate? The line is very fine, and this issue very sensitive with many parents and communities.

I’m going to keep an eye on the comments of the YALSA post. As someone new to the field, I don’t know the answer, but I think it worthwhile for librarians, parents, and even teens to consider these questions and, especially for librarians, keep these things in mind when considering collection development, as well as a teenager’s right to read and have access to materials that will help them grow.

Every season of American Idol has one. This year it’s General Larry Platt, a 60-something year old veteran that came out to audition (uhhh, yeah, he’s way over the age limit) and graced us all with this wonderful song:

And this new sensation is OUT OF CONTROL! There is a Facebook page, and many, crazy remixes and covers. I hate to admit it, but I love it. Check out some of my favorites!

Hi everyone, if you aren’t living in a hole you’ve heard of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti this week, killing thousands, and leaving many more trapped, destroying families and homes and leaving a nation that was already impoverished on the brink of disaster. Please consider donating to the Red Cross’ effort in Haiti by texting HAITI to 90999. Doing so will charge you $10 on your next cell phone bill, and the money will go to the relief effort. Spread the word!

I read about this intriguing livejournal post on the YALSA blog and had to share my own thoughts. I’ve heard this point of view before: Edward as the creepy, stalking, possibly emotionally (even physically) abusive “boyfriend” (can you call him a boyfriend if he’s dead?). I’ve read all of the Twilight books numerous times. I was into the books before they became popular. I’m not a fan of the movies, but I’ve seen both of them now.

What do I think? You can’t argue with the points made by the author of that post. Edward clearly exhibits some behaviors of an abusive person. C’mon, he’s so creepy. He does stalk Bella. He watches her sleep. He threatened and tried to commit suicide because he couldn’t live without her! Honestly, I had some of these thoughts before reading this, but didn’t realize how horrible, how awful this relationship between Edward and Bella really may be.

From the point of view of a fan–the reader gets lost in the book. It’s not amazing writing, it’s not even an always believable story, but there is something about it that sucks (ha) you in. Edward and Bella’s relationship is compelling to the type of person (young female) that gets drawn to this story. If you leave the story and take it for what it is on a superficial level, a novel, maybe you don’t see the fact that there is something seriously wrong in the way he treats Bella. Or maybe you do and you ignore it because sometimes he says great things or does something right. Or maybe you’re lonely and you can’t see beyond your own emotions.

Whatever the reason, I didn’t see this so clearly, and I’m glad for this post. I agree with many commenters on the YALSA blog. Education is always important. Equal access should be made to the Twilight books and to materials on abusive relationships. Communication is also important. Friends and families should discuss the content of these types of books–and recognize it for what it is: a story. And in your real life, if you know an Edward, it is not OK to be bossed around, abused–emotionally, verbally, or physically, or treated as a second-class citizen.

This is a very interesting topic and I hope it will be continued to be discussed across the blogosphere. I am very interested to hear others’ thoughts.

Have you ever heard of Book Divas? It’s this great online community/weblog/everything for young adult and college aged readers. And they give out books, lots and lots of books! Why are they my new BFF? Well, I just found out I won a copy of Justine Larbalestier‘s new book, Liar, from them! Woohoo! I am very excited to read this book. If you read young adult lit blogs, you know the controversy behind this book.

A few months ago, the cover for Liar was released, and the ensuing blogosphere reaction was intense and amazing! Liar is told from the point of view of an African American teen that lies about everything, literally, but yet the cover of this soon-to-be-released novel featured a white teen. People were upset. The author was upset. Word spread like wildfire and people spoke out. Everyone talked about the publishing business and how this was not the first in a long line of atrocities it had committed against people of color.

Thankfully, the publisher decided to change the cover, which now features a young African American woman. But this isn’t the end of the debate–many people in publishing and outside still feel that covers with white people on them sell better. Is that true? Maybe so, but that doesn’t make it right. And this is definitely not the fault of just people in the business. We readers are at fault as well, if we just judge a book by its cover.

I definitely encourage everyone to read outside of their race, their gender, their age, and really–read outside everything you have ever known. Isn’t that the point of fiction and being able to read? To imagine new things, to become a new person, to feel what it’s like in another person’s shoes?

Later this month, Book Divas will be hosting an online discussion about Liar, and I encourage everyone to check it out, whether or not you have read the book yet. And definitely look for my review of it in the next month!

Many young adult authors have been blogging and tweeting about the injustices happening in Iran, as we speak. Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies series, noted that Iranian censors were seeking web sites set to Tehran local time in order to find out about, and shut down, protestors’ sites. He’s encouraged the blogosphere to change your web site or blog time to Tehran time (UMT +4:30) to help confuse the censors.

As soon as I can figure out how to do it, I will do the same for my blog.

If anyone out there is reading, I’d like to encourage you to do this. Or blog about the horrific events happening in Iran. This is a subject that we cannot and SHOULD NOT be quiet about. In America, we are given the freedom of speech. This is not a freedom granted everywhere in the world–it is something many people must fight for every day. And they are literally fighting for it–many people have been injured, and continue to be harmed. I have seen some of the photos other bloggers have posted, and they are terrifying.

I was going to try and explain the situation that is happening in Iran for the benefit of those who may not know, or those who may be confused, but I saw this wonderful video by John Green and realized he says it MUCH better than I ever will. So watch and learn!

I encourage everyone to stay informed on this situation and speak out!

Teri Lesesne over at the YALSA blog just recently posted a great article on censorship in the YA market. This is a topic especially near and dear to my heart, as I know I’ll come to face with it someday as a YA librarian. I agree with her main point immensely: can’t we give our teens credit that they have the brains to know when something in a novel is fiction? As a teen, I read a variety of novels, from Go Ask Alice to the Harry Potter books – and I never attempted being a drug addict or a witch.

I think this would be a great topic for study (perhaps I’ll take up research on it someday as a grad student), to take examples of the “extreme” ends of YA fiction and hold them up to real life, show who is reading these books, and how their behaviors may or may not mirror the stories. I don’t think the results would be thought-shattering, or even change the beliefs of many individuals, but it would be a huge topic of interest.

What do you think about censorship? Are teens gullible, prone to believe and “become” anything they read? Or are they capable of separating themselves from the books they read? You know what I think, share your thoughts!

For More: The ALA’s Banned Books Week is September 26 through October 3. Go here to read about the events and the most frequently challenged books.

Meg Cabot blogs about Judy Blume and Planned Parenthood

Judy Blume, revered author of such classics as Blubber and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, recently participated in an email campaign for Planned Parenthood, asking people to donate in honor of Mother’s Day. The response? Hate/flame mail! Here’s the thing–no matter what your personal beliefs regarding birth control, abortion, etc., is it ever really right to target someone and inflict hostility and pain because of their beliefs? There is still free speech in this country, right?

This is an issue of importance to women of ALL ages, especially teenagers and young adults, because no matter what your religious beliefs, no matter what your family has taught you, you are discovering sex during this period, one way or another. You may or may not be having it, but someone you know will, and everyone will, and should, have a informed, knowledgeable opinion on this issue.

I don’t have enough time to write about this now, but I wanted to share this with the rest of the world (what little of you are reading this!) and hope to spread the word for Judy’s cause, and the millions of women that have benefitted from Planned Parenthood.