Sep. 15, 2008 - My Small Act of Civil Disobedience
I took my crew to the library today. A prominent feature shelf declared Back to School as the September theme. I moseyed on over for a look-see. ONE book on homeschooling. One really boring book, an academic issues type book with essays balancing each other. Homeschooling is good for socialization. Homeschooling prevents healthy socialization. That type of thing. Blech. I've been in education for a dozen years, on both sides of the public and home divide; I read geek books for fun and I wouldn't make it past the first essay in that thing.
I decided the good librarians at the 95th Street branch needed my help. Desperately needed it--clearly they had no finger on the pulse of real homeschoolers. So I jazzed up their feature shelf. You're welcome.
After a quick trip to the upstairs stacks for my supplies, I returned to the feature bookshelf and tucked that boring book from it's cover out position to a 90 degree turn so that only it's slim spine showed. That gave me room to feature the book detailing how a wonderful family homeschooled their African American kids into the Ivy League. I set it next to a book all about how hard it is to crack the Ivy League admissions code. I enjoyed the juxtaposition.
Next, I put Lisa Rivero's book The homeschooling option : how to decide when it's right for your family on an eye level shelf, cover out. I am hoping people will discover her and go on to read her other titles.
Finally, on the lower shelf I set the massive The complete home learning sourcebook : the essential resource guide for homeschoolers, parents, and educators covering every subject from arithmetic to zoology by Rebecca Rupp. I figure people should see a book that a decent number of homeschoolers have actually thumbed through. I accomplished all this at the most prominent bookshelf in the library without being detected. Or at least without being stopped.
I think it would be quite funny if the homeschoolers in my area make a point of going to the 95th St. branch and praise the librarians for what a great job they did representing homeschoolers on their Back to School feature shelf. It could be our little joke.
Blessings, Holly
Comments
Sep. 16, 2008 - civil disobedience
Posted by Vicky
I can just see you doing that Holly! I am glad you didn't get shot, or have to write " I will not rearrange the library books" 500 times on the blackboard.
Sep. 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by marky
ah you rebel! I love it!
Sep. 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by dcellis
It's good to know I'm not alone. I, too, rearrange, hide and show place books in the library as well as the local book retailers! ;0) Not to mention the trashy magazines at the grocery check-outs. Book defenders unite!
