 Banned Books Week, typically celebrated towards the end of September, is a way for readers, libraries, schools and more to celebrate the freedom to read. Ever since its adoption in 1982, Banned Books Week draws attention to the issues of censorship and the freedom to seek and express ideas by highlighting the top challenged and banned books of the previous year. Compiled by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, the top 10 books that were challenged or banned in 2021 are as follows:
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Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (1953) made it known to many that 451 degrees Fahrenheit is the temperature at which paper burns. But why does that matter now? As libraries across the country face legal action and pressure from parents and representatives to remove books from the shelves, it is important to acknowledge the history of book banning. The removal and destruction of literary material that is labeled as “offensive, heretical, or inappropriate” is not a new thought and has been around for millenia. Previously, texts were burned or confiscated by rulers afraid of the past, the Church attempting to repress ‘heretical’ ways of thinking, governments determined to remove anti-party propaganda, or conquering parties wishing to wipe out the cultural and traditions of those they oppress.  One of the earliest instances recorded was the destruction of cultural and education material in 213 B.C. by Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang (Schwartz). When he came to power, he burned poetry, historical, and philosophical texts to prevent comparison between himself and previous rulers who could be considered more successful, virtuous, or magnanimous than himself. This emperor is the same ruler who began the construction of both the Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Soldiers.
The Spanish reading group "The Pleasure of Reading with Angelica Breña" is held in the Basalt Library each summer and is led by Angelica Breña. I could say that is a bilingual group, where we can talk in English or Spanish, and read in Spanish. 
Great books to focus on shapes include: Board books: Shapes all Around by Kate Riggs or Baby Sees Shapes by Akio Kashiwara Picture books: Mouse Shapes by Ellen Walsh and Round is a Tortilla by Rosanne Thong Come to the Library and ask for suggestions. The Basalt Regional Library also has literacy kits on many subjects. Try the Juvenile Literacy Kits Learn Shapes! - Kara Lindahl
Serpent & Dove (2019), Blood & Honey (2020), Gods & Monsters (2021)
Set in an frenchified fictional fantasy world, this series follows Louise Le Blanc and Reid Diggory as they fight against Lou’s megalomaniac mother and the traditional beliefs of the church. Lou is a witch and Reid is a chasseuse (literally hunter in french). When they are forced to marry in Serpent & Dove to prevent Lou from imprisonment and Reid from disgrace, their relationship deals with them learning to trust the other while Lou continues hiding the secret that she is a witch. Throughout the trilogy, more and more aspects are introduced for the sole purpose of testing their relationship. Joined by Cosette (a witch), Beau (the prince), and Ansel (a chasseuse in training), Lou and Reid confront the challenges of their Romeo and Juliet style romance while gathering allies to their cause.
 On August 20-21, we will host the First Ever Camp Out at the Library with all of our new Camping Kits available. We will have demonstrations in how to set up your campsite, how to pack it up for easy transport, what to cook for dinner and how to tell a good nighttime story. We will have games and food and we will sleep out under the stars, with a catered breakfast by the Lions Club Pancake Wagon on Sunday morning.
The addition of the Camping Kits to our Library of Things is made possible by a 2022 Outdoor Equity Grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Camping Kits will include a four-person tent with sleeping pads; camp table and chairs; camp stove and kitchen equipment and utensils. The Camping Kits will be available to lend to our patrons for a one-week time frame beginning this fall. But first, we hope to see you on the Library Meadow! You are welcome to bring your own camping gear for the first ever overnight at the Library. There’s nothing like a night out under the stars, even if it’s right in town. Registration required. - Cathy Click
We've had a great summer so far, but it's not quite over yet and we are sending the summer off with a bang! Through the month of August we have events for everyone, from The First Ever Camp Out at the Library, to Outdoor Baby Gym, and everything in between. Read on to learn more about our upcoming programs, by visiting our full calendar of events at basaltlibrary.org/events-calendar.
 Come join us at the library for Family Fun Night on August 6th at 6:30! We will have games for all ages prior to our final Movie in the Meadow of the summer. Life size chess, Bingo, ring toss, and corn hole are just a few of the games we will have. For our younger patrons we will have chalk to decorate the sidewalks, Boomwhackers to create your own music, and superhero dress up, among many other things. There will also be food provided at this event.
Don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket to stay for The Greatest Showman, beginning once the sun goes down. We hope to see you there! Holly Pilkington If you aren’t a self-described metalhead, you might be surprised to learn that those with a love for leather jackets and amps cranked up to 11 are actually quite well read. If you are a metalhead, you’re probably convinced that half of all metal songs are secretly (or not so secretly) about J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. From Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath in the late 60s, through the thrash metal of the 80s, up to modern day slayers Mastodon and Lamb of God, nearly every metal band has at least one song inspired by literature - classic literature as often as fantasy and science fiction. Check out some of our favorites and the books they’re inspired by below.
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