Banned Books Front and Center at Kirkwood Library

The Kirkwood Public Library encourages patrons to exercise their freedom to read during the American Library Association's Banned Books Week.

A banned books display in the Teen section of the Kirkwood Public Library (KPL) is a testament to the institution's anti-censorship convictions. The display that features challenged literature is a celebration of patrons' freedom to read as part of the American Library Association's (ALA) Banned Books Week that began Sept. 30 and ends Sept. 6. "The American Library Association does it every year. Some years we do a display and some years we don't. This year we came up with a creative idea of how to display it," said Sarah Erwin, the director of the Kirkwood Public Library. The display features popular books that have been challenged in the past like Animal Farm and Cather in the Rye. "We do it because the whole goal of a public library is …

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Owen Skoler

9:19 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I think the display is great. Go KPL! What do you think of the 2011 list of most challenged books? Any reads surprise you?   more ›

Library Links: F Is for Fat

Library resources relating to a previous Patch article.

The following article was submitted by Chris Durr of the Kirkwood Public Library.  Did you read Patch’s article “F as in Fat” on the obesity track that Missouri and Missourians seem to be taking? At the end of the article, there is a summary of the report’s recommendations. Well Kirkwood Public Library is here to help too! Now, we all know carrying books up and down stairs is a good source of physical activity, but here at library links, we want to share some of the resources we have that can help keep you fit and active.  Zumba Workout DVDs Yeah, you are going to look a little silly.  You will be dancing and sweating in front of your TV.  That’s FINE.  Accept it, own it.  Dance to it! Yoga Breakdown DVDs This one promises to introduce a …

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Signs of Suicide, Depression Focus of Kirkwood Talk

A free event will be held at the Kirkwood Public Library Tuesday to raise awareness.

The following information comes from a press release submitted to Kirkwood Patch.  A newly formed Kirkwood organization, Peer2Peer (P2P) Alliance, is sponsoring a depression and suicide awareness event at Kirkwood Public Library Tuesday.  Marian McCord, founder of Chad’s Coalition, an agency working to increase awareness and prevention of adolescent depression and suicide, will speak about the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide at 7 p.m. In 2006, Marian and Larry McCord created Chad’s Coalition in honor of their son, Chad, who committed suicide in 2004 at the age of 18. Following his diagnosis of depression in 2003, Chad’s goal was to bring the topic of mental health to the forefront so those who suffered from depression and …

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In the Stacks

Computers Teaching Early Literacy at Kirkwood Library

A grant has provided computers that are touch screen and come loaded with games, stories, animations and art programs for children ages 2-8.

Why we have libraries: Early Literacy Station Computers. There are lots of reasons why a community wants a library.  Public libraries provide a gathering space, programs and activities that create community, resources to educate and entertain and specialized services and internet access to the public. Recently, I was in our library’s children’s section and had the opportunity to spend a few minutes watching a group of 3 years olds using our Early Literacy Station computers.  It became instantly clear to me: THIS is one of the best reasons why a community wants a library. The Early Literacy Station computers are touch screen that come loaded with games, stories, animations and art programs for children ages 2-8.  They help children develop …

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In the Stacks

Author Timothy Schaffert at Kirkwood Public Library for One Book, One Kirkwood

A weekly look at what's happening at your Kirkwood Public Library.

Kirkwood Public Library is excited to present best-selling author Timothy Schaffert Wednesday, 7 p.m., at the library. Mr. Schaffert is the author of The Coffins of Little Hope, the library's 2012 One Book, One Kirkwood selection. Mr. Schaffert teaches in the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has won many awards for his writing including the New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice and the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award. Books will be available for purchase and signing via Main Street Books. One Book, One Kirkwood is an annual community-wide event that creates opportunities for shared enjoyment and enhances the personal reading experience. Please join your friends and neighbors for a lively discussion with Mr. …

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In the Stacks

Free Tuesday Night Fun With Stories in the Park

Tuesday Night Stories in the Park has become a summer tradition in Kirkwood. The family friendly event is at Fireman's Memorial Park this week. See full schedule.

Kirkwood Public Library is taking storytime on the road again this summer. Join us in a different Kirkwood Park every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. We are so fortunate to have such a wide variety of parks in Kirkwood. The Kirkwood Park District generously lets us enjoy a different venue every Tuesday night.   Bring the kids for a fun, interactive storytime filled with songs, games, books and crafts and discover a new park! Our park schedule for the remainder of the summer is: Bring the family for what has become a summer tradition!

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In the Stacks

Summer Reading Kicks Off With Party at Kirkwood Library

A weekly look at Kirkwood Public Library happenings

Kirkwood Public Library's Summer Reading Kickoff Party is Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Easy summer reading sign up all day long from home or the library, beginning at 9 a.m.  If you and your family are out and about on Saturday, drop by for some fun activities featuring: Hope to see you on Saturday, but remember to count your reading time beginning on Saturday and sign up from home if you can't get to library.  

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In the Stacks

'Sound of Murder' to Raise Funds for Kirkwood Library

Kirkwood Public Library fundraiser May 15: Not “Sound of Music” but “Sound of Murder.”

The Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library is sponsoring a fundraiser for the library: an interactive murder mystery dinner theater, “The Sound of Murder” May 15. The fundraiser will be at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club, 12665 Big Bend Boulevard in Glendale. The cost is $60 per person, with a cash bar at 6:15 p.m. followed by dinner and theater at 7 p.m. The play, which will be performed by The Murder Mystery Players, combines the familiar story of the musical Austrian family that escaped the Nazis in World War II with an iconic TV situation comedy. The rather convoluted plot is that in order to support his family, Captain Von Trapped decides to take his singing family on tour in the U.S. Fortunately for them, they have been discovered …

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In the Stacks

Last Chance: Book Sale Blowout Returns

The Friends of Kirkwood Public Library Booksale is this week.

The Friends of the Kirkwood Public Library announce its annual Book Fair at 10722 Sunset Plaza Drive, immediately south of the Burger King on S. Lindbergh, on the west side of the road. This new location is directly across Lindbergh from the site of last year’s sale. The sale runs Wednesday through Sunday. The sale will offer fiction and nonfiction books at bargain prices in a wide variety of categories. All proceeds benefit the Kirkwood Public Library. Payment can be made with cash or check, but not credit cards.  There will be an entry fee of $5 only on Wednesday, when the hours will be 1-9 p.m. Admission is free on other days. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. As in the …

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