Library Talk

The dropout issue, banned books week, teen read week

By RENEE MICK

This week is American Graduate Week; all week KRTS has been airing programming dealing with high school dropout rates and plans of action.  Find out more on the Marfa Public Radio website: www.marfapublicradio.org.

Over the summer, Marfa kids were busy reading for the Marfa Library Summer Reading Challenge. Children who read 30 books were entered into a drawing for a bicycle, compliments of the Friends of the Marfa Library and Morrison's True Value Hardware in Alpine. Aubrie Aguilar, 2nd grader at Marfa Elementary was the lucky winner! Reading pays off!

On Oct 11 the library will host a Community Dialogue at 6:30 PM; save that date so you can participate in this important initiative. It’s open to everyone; we hope to see you at the library that evening at 115 E. Oak St.

Also coming up is Banned Books Week, September 30-October 6, an annual event at libraries and bookstores across the country that celebrates the freedom to read. On Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, the Friends of the Marfa Library will host a Banned Books Reading at Padre’s. Be there at 7 to hear excerpts from classics that have been banned or challenged, read by various Marfa residents. Look for posters around town announcing this interesting event! This year marks the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week.

Finally, October 14-20 is Teen Read Week, another annual event celebrated every year during the third week of October. Stay tuned for teen-centric activities that week!

Beginning Thursday, September 27 the library will sponsor a month-long film series featuring documentary, foreign, and experimental films. Tonight’s feature is a documentary covering the Chinese Industrial Revolution, produced and shot by artist Edward Burtynsky. Screening will begin at 6:00 PM. The following week Carel Rowe will screen her work Paradise Denied, on the conflict on Cyprus. Please join us at the library cinema at 115 E. Oak St.

Renee Mick is the Marfa Public Library director. Contact her at 432-729-4631 and rmick.marfapl@yahoo.com.