Will Dutch library ban on 'Black Pete' books spell end for 'racist' festive tradition?

The portrayal of Santa’s Moor servant ‘Zwarte Piet’ is widely seen as offensive. Protesters applaud the decision to remove the character from children’s books Public libraries across the Netherlands are removing from the shelves children’s books depicting a black-faced Zwarte Piet, a side-kick to Sinterklaas, in the latest sign that the country is turning the page on a festive figure widely seen as being racist.For at least a decade, there have been protests against the practice of white people with blackened faces, curly wigs and exaggerated bright red lips depicting the character at the nationwide parades held in early December to herald the feast of Saint Nicholas. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2020-11-15 10:10:52 UTC ]

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Michael Crummey’s The Adversary has won the 2025 Dublin Literary Award.

Today, Canadian writer Michael Crummey’s “dark, enthralling novel about love and its limitations” was announced as the winner of this year’s Dublin Literary Award. Selected from a shortlist of six novels, The Adversary took home the top prize. The Dublin Literary Award only accepts nominations... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2025-05-22 18:09:10 UTC ]
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Want to reduce crime? Science says: build more libraries.

I’m always happy to find a new reason why libraries make eveything better, and today I’m pleased to report that some very serious academics have concluded that public libraries are the urban planning equivalent of Batman: great at fighting crime. I stumbled upon this information via a post by... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2025-05-13 17:57:51 UTC ]
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Trump is trying to destroy libraries.

Image from the New York Public Libraries Digital Collections The hogmen and shock troops of the Trump-Musk administration have gone after another essential and beloved mainstay of public life: libraries. Trump signed a broad executive order last Friday that puts libraries in existential danger... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2025-03-18 16:54:24 UTC ]
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New Iowa Bill Would Revoke Funding for Library Affiliation with the American Library Association

Iowa public libraries may lose access to state funds for being affiliated by the American Library Association under a new anti-library bill floated by state republicans. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-02-25 18:20:00 UTC ]
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Are Ohio Public Libraries on the Chopping Block?

The importance of documentation in an era of misinformation. Where and how the story of Ohio library budget cuts emerged and what is–and is not–true right now. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-02-25 14:30:00 UTC ]
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New Bills in Iowa Threaten to Tighten Obscenity Provisions for Libraries

House File 274 would repeal a section of the Iowa Code that addresses obscenity exemptions for public libraries and educational institutions, while Senate File 347 proposes steep fines for sharing allegedly obscene work with minors. American Library Association president-elect Sam Helmick called... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2025-02-20 05:00:00 UTC ]
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“Hopefully, we can sit together and discuss what we consider is appropriate”: Inside Two Years of Nonstop Hell for Alpena Public Library

Destruction of US public libraries may start with complaints over books, but that's not the end goal. Alpena Public Library is now the tool of those book banners and serves as a stark warning of what's happening nationwide. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2025-01-16 14:00:00 UTC ]
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New Research on Audiobook Circulation in US Libraries

The newly released 'Audiobooks and Public Libraries' report shows US libraries' community sizes playing a role in audio circulation. The post New Research on Audiobook Circulation in US Libraries appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2025-01-14 22:10:01 UTC ]
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Career on the brink, Adams doubles down on housing, mental health in 2025

As he kicks off a year that could see him jailed or booted from City Hall, and quite possibly both, Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday laid out an agenda for 2025 that doubled as a platform for his uphill re-election campaign.In his fourth State of the City address, Adams laid out plans that respond... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2025-01-09 18:44:42 UTC ]
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The Most Popular Books in US Public Libraries 2024

What were the most popular books in US public libraries in 2024? Here are the top titles according to over 40 lists shared across the country. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-12-27 13:30:00 UTC ]
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Federal Judge Strikes Down Parts of Arkansas’s Library Laws in Win for First Amendment

A key victory in the ongoing battle over First Amendment rights in public libraries and access to books from Arkansas this week. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-12-24 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Reni Eddo-Lodge launches her own imprint with publisher HarperCollins

The author will serve as editor-at-large of Monument Books, helping to find authors that champion ‘ideas, stories and culture, as well as uplifting or refashioning past legacies’Reni Eddo-Lodge, the author of the 2017 bestseller Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, has launched... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-12-16 17:04:41 UTC ]
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Save Public Libraries and Schools By Voting Down-Ballot: Book Censorship News, October 25, 2024

You have a role in saving public libraries and schools by voting. Here's where, how, and why you need to learn about your down-ballot candidates and initiatives. That, plus this week's book censorship news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-10-25 12:30:00 UTC ]
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On Appeal, Llano County Seeks Book Ban Ruling That Would Upend Public Libraries

At an appeal hearing this week, lawyers for the rural Texas county told the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that it should strike down a three-decade-old precedent and hand politicians near total authority over what books can go on—or be banned from—public library shelves. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-09-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Feds search homes of NYPD commissioner, mayor's aides

Federal agents searched the homes of multiple senior officials in Mayor Eric Adams’s administration, including Police Commissioner Edward Caban and Deputy Mayors Sheena Wright and Philip Banks, according to people familiar with the matter.Investigators also seized the phones of officials... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2024-09-05 21:07:45 UTC ]
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It’s Still Censorship, Even If It’s Not a Book Ban: Book Censorship News, August 30, 2024

Book bans aren't the only form of censorship rampant in public libraries right now. That, plus this week's book censorship news. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-08-30 13:30:00 UTC ]
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Engadget Podcast: Samsung Galaxy Ring review, EFF on KOSA, and another AI “Friend”

Samsung's Galaxy Ring is here, and honestly it's just a bit basic. This week, Cherlynn and Devindra dive into what does and doesn't work with Samsung's latest wearable. Also, we discuss Friend's new AI gadget, which listens to your conversations and sends text messages to help you feel less... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2024-08-02 11:30:09 UTC ]
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