Banned Books Week Begins

This week, Flathead County Library System joins libraries across the country in celebrating intellectual freedom and our freedom to read. Stop in to any of our libraries this week and check out a banned or challenged book. Many thanks to the volunteers pictured above (Carly, Sara, Andrea, Cambrianna, and Amanda) who created the display at the Main Library. For more information about banned and challenged books, visit the American Library Association's website.

Harper Lee Biographer to visit FCLS on Thursday

We are excited to welcome author Charles Shields to the Flathead as part of the Library's Big Read celebration.

While writing the New York Times bestselling Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee, Charles J. Shields spent four years interviewing the reclusive Harper Lee’s neighbors, friends, and classmates. As a result of Shields’ research, information never before known came to light about the Pulitzer prize-winning author. In this presentation, Charles Shields will tell why he chose to write a biography of the enigmatic author, the surprises he encountered along the way (including her efforts to discourage friends from speaking with him), the parallels between To Kill a Mockingbird and Ms. Lee's life, and the reasons why she never published a second book.

Mr. Shields' presentation will be this Thursday, September 24 at 7pm, in the meeting room of the Main Library in Kalispell. The event is free and all are invited.

For a more information on this and other Big Read events, see here.

The BIG READ: To Kill A Mockingbird

The Big Read is upon us and we invite you all to read (or re-read) Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning, To Kill A Mockingbird. Told from the point of view of eight-year-old Scout, this coming of age novel addresses race, class and gender issues with warmth and humor. Atticus Finch, father to Scout and Jem, has become a moral hero and model of integrity to readers worldwide.

We'll also be screening the Gregory Peck-as-Atticus film in Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell; as well as other films and lectures over the next two months. Please see the complete calendar of events on the library webpage.

Another summer reading program behind us!

The summer reading program for 2009 came to an end on August 22. Children and teens at all of our libraries had a lot of fun "being creative" and "expressing themselves" with clay, paint, paper, yoga, and even food. The Children's Department staff would like to share this video with you that shows some of the projects and activities that our kids did. Those creative juices were really flowing!

We are almost finished counting up the hours spent reading. It sure looks like some records may set..It is great to see so many kids excited about books of all kinds! Well done, everyone!