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RE: ccbc-net digest: October 14, 2010
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From: FADER Ellen <ellenf_at_multcolib.org>
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:23:44 -0700
In response to Marc's query about offering relevant library programming for kids who don't want to join a book group, here's a weapons-related program that we are trying out...this seems to be a way to explore the topic without glorifying violence. The group is headquartered in the Pacific Northwest: http://www.knightsofveritas.org/. We'll see...
Knights of Veritas Knights of Veritas is an organization specializing in interactive educational demonstrations of medieval arms, armor, combat, knighthood and chivalry. Through thrilling demonstrations of historical combat techniques, they will introduce the code of chivalry and demystify common fanciful misrepresentations of the Middle Ages. The program includes authentically weighted and detailed steel swords and armor to provide an eye-opening experience for the audience. Exciting hands-on sharing allows participants the rare opportunity to handle the weapons and try on the armor!
Ellen Fader Youth Services Director Multnomah County Library Administration Building 205 NE Russell Portland, OR 97212 503.988.5408 (desk) 503.703.3995 (iPhone) 503.988.5441 (fax) ellenf_at_multcolib.org multcolib.org facebook.com/multcolib twitter.com/multcolib
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Subject: Re: the missing issue From: bookmarch_at_aol.com Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:35:30 -0400 (EDT) X-Message-Number: 1
In talking about nonfiction and popularity there is one topic that I think we've danced around. Last month in the Professional Responsibility strand one person posted about her experience of subscribing to a magazine that her 10 year olds liked, that was thoughtful, well done, serious, responsible, but which was about guns and hunting, and so distressed her peers. In my experience going to schools one of the most popular areas on nonfiction has to do with war -- weapons certainly, but also -- and often in the most serious, students who are deeply engaged in their own research -- strategies, tactics, generals, famous battles. This runs from the elementary school kids intrested in Vikings through the High School kids reading adult books on specific battles and regiments. I suspect that we as a profession do not value that set of interests as highly as we do, say, kids drawn to fantasy novels or "realistic" fiction. In other words, is part of the issue what we are willing to credit as a form of passionate readi ng, not just whether young people are in fact impassioned readers.
How many libraries have a Books About Battles club -- versus how many libraries have a Novel Reading club? I am willing to bet that if a library had a Books About Battles club -- complete with maps, military atlases, bios, perhaps war games software, books with lists of the kinds of ammunition, or planes, or tanks, or swords employed it would it would be wildly popular -- and filled with kids who would not otherwise be in a Teen Reading Group.
Am I wrong?
Marc Aronson
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:23:44 -0700
In response to Marc's query about offering relevant library programming for kids who don't want to join a book group, here's a weapons-related program that we are trying out...this seems to be a way to explore the topic without glorifying violence. The group is headquartered in the Pacific Northwest: http://www.knightsofveritas.org/. We'll see...
Knights of Veritas Knights of Veritas is an organization specializing in interactive educational demonstrations of medieval arms, armor, combat, knighthood and chivalry. Through thrilling demonstrations of historical combat techniques, they will introduce the code of chivalry and demystify common fanciful misrepresentations of the Middle Ages. The program includes authentically weighted and detailed steel swords and armor to provide an eye-opening experience for the audience. Exciting hands-on sharing allows participants the rare opportunity to handle the weapons and try on the armor!
Ellen Fader Youth Services Director Multnomah County Library Administration Building 205 NE Russell Portland, OR 97212 503.988.5408 (desk) 503.703.3995 (iPhone) 503.988.5441 (fax) ellenf_at_multcolib.org multcolib.org facebook.com/multcolib twitter.com/multcolib
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Subject: Re: the missing issue From: bookmarch_at_aol.com Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:35:30 -0400 (EDT) X-Message-Number: 1
In talking about nonfiction and popularity there is one topic that I think we've danced around. Last month in the Professional Responsibility strand one person posted about her experience of subscribing to a magazine that her 10 year olds liked, that was thoughtful, well done, serious, responsible, but which was about guns and hunting, and so distressed her peers. In my experience going to schools one of the most popular areas on nonfiction has to do with war -- weapons certainly, but also -- and often in the most serious, students who are deeply engaged in their own research -- strategies, tactics, generals, famous battles. This runs from the elementary school kids intrested in Vikings through the High School kids reading adult books on specific battles and regiments. I suspect that we as a profession do not value that set of interests as highly as we do, say, kids drawn to fantasy novels or "realistic" fiction. In other words, is part of the issue what we are willing to credit as a form of passionate readi ng, not just whether young people are in fact impassioned readers.
How many libraries have a Books About Battles club -- versus how many libraries have a Novel Reading club? I am willing to bet that if a library had a Books About Battles club -- complete with maps, military atlases, bios, perhaps war games software, books with lists of the kinds of ammunition, or planes, or tanks, or swords employed it would it would be wildly popular -- and filled with kids who would not otherwise be in a Teen Reading Group.
Am I wrong?
Marc Aronson
---Received on Fri 15 Oct 2010 05:23:44 PM CDT
