AGENDA # , September 20,2011
J({/ll Hojizckd, Cmlllry LJltrarlilll Alameda County Albany CaSlro Valley Centerville LIBRARY Dublin Extension Services .. .In/inite pOddibililie.:J Fremont Main Irvington Newark Niles San Lorenzo Union City
September 6, 2011
Honorable Board of Supervisors County of Alameda 1221 Oak Street, Suite 536 Oakland, CA 94612-4305
SUBJECT: APPROVE REQUEST THAT ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 24, - OCTOBER 1,2011 BANNED BOOKS WEEK
Dear Board Members:
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve and execute a resolution declaring September 24, - October I, 20 II Banned Books Week, annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment for the County of Alameda.
DISCUSSION/SUMMARY:
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. The Alameda County Library system is a defender of the First Amendment and provides the benefits of free and open access to infonnation. A resolution from your Board recognizes the importance of the libraries in Alameda County to strong and thriving communities and shows your support for the historic and current good work done by library staff in providing education and information to the residents of Alameda County.
SELECTION CRITERWPROCESS:
No! Applicable.
Administration 2450 Steve.son Blvd. Fremont CA 94538-2326 510-745-1504 FAX 510-793-2987 www.acllbrary.org Honorable Board Members Page 2 September 6,2011 Approve Request That Alameda County Board Of Supervisors Proclaim September 24, - October 1, 2011 Banned Books Week
FINANCING:
No net County cost.
Respectfully submitted,
~~.~ / Jean Hofae County Librarian
S:\BoanJ LCl1~"fS 20 I I'.Banned Books Wo:ek,docx Attachment: Resolution
cc: Susan S. Muranishi, County Administrator Patrick O'Connell, Auditor-Controller County Counsel Jean Hofacket, County Librarian Louie Martierz, CAO Analyst Alameda County Board of Supervisors Supporting Alameda County Library Banned Books Week, 2011 September 24 - October 1
WHEREAS, the freedom to read is essential to our democracy, and reading is among our greatest freedoms; and
WHEREAS, the freedom to read is protected by our Constitution; and
WHEREAS, intellectual freedom is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture; and
WHEREAS, both governmental intimidation and the fear of censorship may cause authors to practice self-censorship, thus limiting our access to new ideas; and
WHEREAS, Americans still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression, and can be trusted to exercise critical judgment, to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read, and
WHEREAS, the American Library Association's Banned Books Week, celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion, even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses ensuring the availability of all viewpoints to all who wish to read them; and
WHEREAS, Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year as a reminder to Americans not to take their precious freedom for granted; and
WHEREAS, Dublin Library is celebrating Banned Books Week with a shoWing of the film Fahrenheit 451 and a display of books preViously challenged in locations throughout the country;
Now, Therefore, Be It RESOLVED, that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors hereby procl ai m the week of Septem be r 24 ~ October 1, 2011, Banned Books Week, encouraging all libraries and bookstores to acquire and make available materials representative of all the people in our society; and
Be it further RESOLVED, that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and the Alameda County Library, encourages free people to read freely, now and forever.
Dated this 27th day of September 2011.