AAUW State College to hold ‘Freedom to Read’ event
“Freedom to Read” is the topic for a forum sponsored by AAUW State College on March 26, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Downsbrough Community Room at the Schlow Centre Region Library in State College. With so much discussion of what students can or cannot read in schools, AAUW State College has brought together some well-known educators and community members to discuss the issues on this volatile subject.
One of my clearest memories as an English teacher was assigning my 11th grade students to read J.D. Salinger’s book “Catcher in the Rye” (1951), then a hot topic. I knew nothing of the controversy, but I quickly learned! I gave out the books and before I knew it, the principal was at my door. The following day, he told me to take the books back in, without an explanation. I did so, as a compliant first-year teacher. When I told the class that we might read it “later” the students smiled and said, “Not to worry!” — they had read it overnight! It’s that kind of book. The ensuing furor ended at the next school board meeting, when about ten of my students attended and spoke about the book’s impact on them. Books about teenage angst are more common now, but they still have great impact on teenage readers. Parents sometimes have problems knowing that their children might think about things as Holden, the teenaged protagonist, did — things like sex, and the impact of adult behavior on them.
At the March 26 program, a panel of local educators will help us to explore issues with book selection today and the way that teachers and librarians select the books their students read. Maria Burchill, head of Adult and Teen Services at Schlow Library, Ellysa Cahoy, Education Librarian, Penn State, and Director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, and Dr. Sara Willoughby-Herb, Shippensburg University faculty emeritus and a family literacy expert, will hold a roundtable discussion. The panel will be moderated by AAUW State College member Leslie Laing.
After the discussion, we will hold a “Freedom to Read” Trivia Bowl, just for fun. Top scorers will receive vouchers for shopping at the annual AAUW State College Used Book Sale to be held at the Penn State Snider Ag Arena on May 11-14. It is a perfect activity to follow the “Freedom to Read” program.
“Freedom to Read” is an important topic for our whole community to consider, and everyone is welcome to join us. Registration is not required but is appreciated: bit.ly/FreedomtoReadMarch26
Mary Dupuis is AAUW State College’s public policy co-chair.
