Libraries Matter

The Bonfire of Liberties: Censorship of the Humanities

Beginning April 1^st, 2015 the Westwood High School Library will present “The Bonfire of Liberties: Censorship of the Humanities,” an exhibition by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“The Bonfire of Liberties” addresses the difficult topic of censorship. Censorship has been practiced for nearly as long as there have been materials to censor. This exhibition gives an overview of censorship in its various guises over time. The exhibition also examines the struggle between those who want to censor difficult, controversial and revolutionary material from sensitive viewers and those who want to protect the freedoms of all people to read, view and think for themselves. Viewers may be surprised to learn just how many of their favorite books and plays have been censored at some time in history.

Highlighting the impact of censorship as applied to the humanities through the ages, this exhibition emphasizes the relevance of censorship to a contemporary audience.   Each panel examines a specific subject within censorship through quotes, images and informative text.

The exhibition will be on display for the public from April 1st to April 24^th on the Patio outside the library. Be sure to step inside the library to check out books that have a history of being censored or about censorship as well.

Humanities Texas develops and supports diverse programs across the state, including lectures, oral history projects, teacher institutes, traveling exhibitions and documentary films. For more information, please visit Humanities Texas online at http://www.humanitiestexas.org or call 512.440.1991.

2015 Reading Challenge

I challenge you to join me in the Great Reading Challenge of 2015. You can print the list here

What I read over the break

I always have good intentions when it comes to reading, but let's face it, just like every one else out there, life sometimes gets in the way more than I would like for it to. I took home four books over the break with the intention of getting through at least three of them, if not all four. Much to my chagrin, I only managed to finish one of them, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  It was a little difficult for me to get into the story, but mainly because I am not a big fantasy reader. If you love fantasy, you will more than likely enjoy this story that has a whole lot of mystery and suspense thrown in for good measure. I was able to start a second novel, The Storyteller by Jodi Piccoult, but have only just now finished it. I still have two more books at home to begin and finish, hopefully soon. Boy on the Edge by Fridrik Erlings and Perfect Match also by Jodi Piccoult. Wish me luck because everytime we get a new book order in, I add at least 10 new books to my Plan to Read  list. 

More New Books for the New Year!

New Year New e-Books!

Be sure to see a librarian for an e-Book account of your very own.

New Arrivals in the Library

Here are our latest arrivals. I think we have added quite a few interesting books to our collection. Many of them are definitely on my "must read" list. Now, just to find the time to read them all.

Notes to the Future: Words of Wisdom contains over 300 quotes of Nelson Mandela's collected from public speeches as well as his personal papers.

The innovators : how a group of hackers, geniuses, and geeks created the digital revolution provides insight into the thinking of those who have created the digital world we live in today.

Ada's algorithm : how Lord Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace launched the digital age tells the overlooked story of how the computer age could have started over 200 years ago, if only they had been willing to pay attention to a woman. 

Among the truthers : a journey through America's growing conspiracist underground takes a look at how social media is a breeding ground for new conspiracists.

Check out the e-library for more information about each book.

TEDxYouth@Austin

I have registered (or rather applied for an invitation) to the TEDxYouth@Austin event to be held at Westlake HS on February 14th, 2015. I'm really excited and hope to receive the invite. If you would like to join me, and I don't me literally, you don't have to even say hi, although you could, click the link above to register yourself. If you have no idea what a TED event even is, check out TEDtalks. They are amazing and inspirational and funny and sincere and addicting. Here are two of my favorites, I am an educator after all: How Schools Kill Creativity and Kids Can Teach Themselves. The talks are no more than 20 minutes in length and cover just about any topic you can conceive. Have fun and enjoy yourself. Hope to see some of you there!

Where has the time gone?

Time keeps on ticking...into the future. That is how I feel as I realized we have entered November and this semester is just weeks from being over.

I wanted to share a few things that will hopefully be enticing for you:

We have added a database of free TX DMV permit practice test for you. Yep, I said FREE. Just visit the Library page for access. That's it. No tricks. No passwords. Just click your way in. 

We also have International Game Day coming up in a few weeks. Friday, November 14th. Be sure to stop by the library to play a game or two. We even hope to have the XBox up and running in the Great Room during all three lunches. We will also have Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Checkers, Chess, Uno, puzzles, and much more. 

And finally, here are some of our new books:

Whoa! Welcome to 2014-2015

We are three weeks into the new school year, and it has been a whirlwind in here. One really positive observance is that you guys are checking out books like crazy. We aren't sure why, but please, keep stopping by to check out those books. Most of our new titles have been checked out already, but keep an eye out as we have several orders in the works and many new books coming this way soon. And don't forget to check out the fabulous displays by our own Mrs. Roberts. We have "Reading Now," a display of books that have been turned in to recent movies, the Hispanic Heritage Month display showcasing books about, by, and celebrating Hispanic Americans, and finally we have the Banned Books display bringing awareness about books that have been challenged in this country over the last year. Lots of interesting material out there for you.

Also, check out the window on the Patio. It is a work in process, but we are asking you to participate in voting for your favorites books from last year. Take a look around the library and look for the "Vote for Me!" labels to read some of last years best titles.

Sorry there are no pictures this time, but I promise to bring the images next time.

Hope you've had a great start to a new year!
Mrs. Day

21 Days and Counting

We are down to just 21 days left of the school year. My first year at Westwood has flown by. I am looking forward to the Summer break but am also excited for next year. The awesome library staff here, Ms. Woolsey, Mrs. Roberts and myself have been busily working to take this library to the next level in our climb to become a go to example of a 21st Century library. Some of the coming changes include a new, more interactive, website with features such as an online help desk. Students can also now text their questions to us using Google Voice @ 512-910-5779. Although we are not available 24/7, we do still sleep and have fun, but we will be that more accessible. And there is still more to come. We are excited to unveil all the ways we are here to be of services to our students and fellow staff members. Keep checking back to see what else is new at WHSLib.

MAY NEW ARRIVALS

GOOGLE SUMMER OF CODE

"Google Summer of Code is a global program that offers students stipends to write code for open source projects. We have worked with the open source community to identify and fund exciting projects for the upcoming summer."

LIBRARY TO BE CLOSED IN MAY

Students, plan ahead! The library will be closed to students for most of the month of May due to IB and AP testing. 

We will have a COW set up on the Patio for students who need them for school related work. Sorry, but computers will not be made available for general use. You MUST have your STUDENT ID to check out a laptop. 

Students will also be able to check out fiction books via the Patio. Use the laptop to access the online catalog to locate your book and one of our student aides will grab it for you. Non-fiction books will be mostly inaccessible during this time. Remember, you have access to a ton of e-books and audio books that can be accessed anytime, anywhere!

Teachers may still schedule classes in the library with the understanding that students must remain silent- no talking. While the Great Room will be closed, you may schedule time in Lib 12 or Lib 30. 

MORE NEW ARRIVALS

VOICE YOUR CHOICE!

Vote Here!

NEW E-BOOK ARRIVALS

Read from your computer or 
download to you phone or tablet! 
See a librarian for details.

NEW ARRIVALS

ALIENS HAVE LANDED

BINGO CARDS DUE FRIDAY

If you haven't gotten BINGO yet, all cards are due Friday by 4:30. Winners will be announced and contacted by Tuesday afternoon of next week. Prom Tickets, $300 in gift cards, and 20 ear buds to be awarded!