Introducing our new podcast series: BookGrowl

BookGrowl is an audio podcast series developed by the Al Harris Library where SWOSU authors, faculty and administration are invited to discuss and share books that are important to them and their students.

The first four podcasts are available for download or streaming on the library's website:

1) Dr. Henrietta Mann, President of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribal College
2) Dr. Chad Kinder, Parks and Recreation Management Dept.
3) Dr. Keith Talley, Music Dept.
4) Dr. Valerie Reimers, Language & Literature Dept.

Banned Books and Censorship

We hope you enjoyed the banned books display around the library to celebrate Banned Books Week (Sept 25-Oct 2).

What's the difference between a challenge and a banning?

A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others.

Books usually are challenged with the best intentions - to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. Censorship can be subtle, almost imperceptible, as well as blatant and overt, but, nonetheless, harmful.

In the heading above, you will find a google map with book bans and challenges since 2007. Additionally, the following link will direct you to Google's Transparency Report (Government requests to remove content from the World Wide Web):

http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/governmentrequests/

Unfinished Books Written By Notable Authors

There are many reasons for notable authors to leave behind unfinished books. Death is a major cause. Yet, fans of an author will often want to read even an uncompleted work to get what pleasure they can from what was left behind or to see where the author was mentally when he or she died.

Examples include "The Varieties of Reference" a probing piece of philosophy by Gareth Evans, cut down by lung cancer. His work contributes to analytical philosophy despite its incompleteness. In literature "Sandition" by Jane Austin, exists as several chapters of a sunny and bouncy novel written during self-aware months in which she was also dying of cancer.

Another reason books are left unfinished is because the scheme for the total work is larger than the author can complete, or sometimes the author stops work on a piece because he or she looses interest in it or becomes dissatisfied with the way the book is shapping up.

Examples of authors whose literary schemes where too large to complete during their life times include Chaucer, Virgil and Edmund Spencer. Yet, each author has had fans appreciate their work for centuries.

Then there is the example of Jean Paul Sartre who started but did not finish many works, that are now in print, because he was not satified with the work, lost interest, or became interested in something else.

One of the pleasures of reading unfinished books is the pleasure of challenging oneself to visualize how the author would have completed the book, or the reader is free to visualize how he or she would have done so.

Look at the display titled "Unfinished Books By Notable Authors" at the Al Harris Library to see examples of published but unfinished books from our literary heritage.

Happy 50th for To Kill a Mockingbird

July 11, 2010, marked the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird written by Southern novelist Harper Lee. This book is considered to be one of the ten most important books of the last century. The importance of issues such as: race and diversity; prejudice and tolerance; friendship and family; fear and change; morality and ethics; justice and judgment; and compassion and forgiveness are woven into this compelling story.

In 1961, the novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Additionally, To Kill a Mockingbird has a world-wide following, for it has been translated into nearly 50 languages, and more than 40 million copies have been sold worldwide. In 1962 the book became an Oscar-winning film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch.

Many of the books and other resources that are located on the display relate to themes that are found in To Kill a Mockingbird. Stop by and take a look at these materials and spend a few minutes viewing a scene from the film as part of the celebration.

September is College Month at OKCMOA

Free admission to Oklahoma City Museum of Art for all college students during the month of September. Present valid college I.D. at the door. Enjoy a range of artwork, independent film screenings, have a meal at their cafe or enjoy the skyline nightlife on the Museum's rooftop terrace where cocktails are served while listening to live music performances.

2010 Organizational Fair

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Library's Org Fair Booth. If you would like to use or ask about any of the equipment showcased yesterday, just stop by the Circulation Desk (library entrance). Congratulations to all the prize wheel winners! We gave away nearly a 1,000 library pens, nearly $500 in fine forgiveness bucks, and 24 prizes (including 10 library t-shirts, a CD case, a CD/radio, a digital frame, 4 tote bags, a Xbox360 carrying case, a digital camera, and a DVD player). Plus, our favorite bulldog was back running around taking pictures with Wright Radio personalities, the new SWOSU President, Miss SWOSU, faculty, staff and students.

To see the list of prize winners and photos from this year's Org Fair, check out the Library's Facebook page (http://tinyurl.com/289erwm).

Dawg Days Video Game Tournament Winners

---- Amos Beaver III -------- Gregory Brewer ----

The SWOSU Libraries would like to thank everyone who stopped by to play at our annual dawg days tournament and helped to make this a fun evening in the library.

We extend a big congratulations to Gregory Brewer (Wii Tournament Winner) and Amos Beaver III (PS3 Tournament Winner) who preservered through thunderstorms and technical glitches to become champions of their tournament bracket. Gregory Brewer is a sophomore and computer science major. Amos Beaver III is a sophomore and a history major.