Saturday, April 20, 2013

Secret Books & Public Spaces

Have you ever read a book you didn't want anyone to know about?
Flickr image CC 2013
It was racy or forbidden and you didn't want your parents to know or your friends to know? Perhaps it was to answer a question that you desperately needed answered or to find your identity in fiction or reality - to know you weren't alone? If you've been a teenager, you've probaby answered yes to that question. And for all that the internet makes finding information easier and more private than ever before, sometimes, you need a book to answer questions in greater detail than you are finding in your searches. Perhaps you've read an article by an author who promotes her/his more extensive writing. Either way - books still need to be on shelves in libraries to help readers find the answers to their personal journeys. That's why getting rid of all books in a school library can be a huge mistake. This is particularly poignant for teens who are struggling with deeply personal issues of gender identity or self-harm or family problems. While reaching out to find others who struggle with the same thing on the internet can be useful, some teens aren't quite ready for that outreach.