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AALBC.com's Thumper's Corner Discussion Board » Thumper's Corner - Archive 2007 » Another "Read a Book"-type literacy controversy « Previous Next »

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Yvettep
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Username: Yvettep

Post Number: 2304
Registered: 01-2005

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Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:12 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

...This one regarding a new campaign for the Wyoming public libraries. Their new advertising logo is a take on the naked woman silhouette commonly found on the mud flaps behind the wheels on trucks. From the library: http://www.wyominglibraries.org/campaign.html; A round-up of some opinions about the campaign: http://www.blogher.org/wyoming-state-libraries-and-nekkid-chicks-flap-over-flaps

IMO, there are a few issues that I have opinions about:

1) Is it clever? To me, yes--very.
2) Is it objectionable? No. But I never particularly identified with or was offended by the original image. I can understand that some folks might be.
3) Is the campaign successful in getting folks to talk? Definitely YES!
4) Will the campaign achieve the library system's stated goals of letting the public know that "libraries offer more than many people realize", and reaching out "beyond our regular users to let people know this"? Will the campaign "increase understanding, use and support of Wyoming libraries"? Well, that remains to be seen, I guess.

And that last is the overall issue we keep coming back to in discussions about the "Read a Book" video, "street lit" vs "literary books," what is the role of this site, etc. How--if at all--can we encourage more people to read more often and more broadly? Should this even be a goal at all?
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10137
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 01:14 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I'm all for encouraging reading but we are ever more moving toward a society that is dependent on technology that enhances sight and sound. The brains of young people become acclimated to these wave lengths the minute they experience the instant gratification available by turning on the TV or working the controls of a video game. Computers have also become an integral part of the teaching process in schools.

Reading a book requires discipline and concentration unless of course its story line is simple and the writing style primitive. So the handwriting is on the wall. With the passsage of time, those who develop an appreciation for quality books will becoming a select group, and although in time all books may become obsolete, as a unique form of communication the classics will always be there for those special people who regard books as an alternate reality for their imaginations.

I say all of this to say that as much as we would like to dictate and control the reading habits of others, individuals will continue to exercise their free will. IMO
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Cynique
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Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10153
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Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 10:21 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Hummmm. If after reading my post, I'll understand if somebody feels like telling me to STFU. Buh Bye. Gotta go finish reading my book.
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Yvettep
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Username: Yvettep

Post Number: 2317
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Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 10:59 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

LOL-I personally would never tell you that, Cynique! Besides your opinion about the general effort to encourage reading, what do you think about the use of that particular image to do so?

In other words, with both the "Read a Book" video and this campaign, it appears that someone has tried to deliver a certain old message using a different/nontraditional medium. Does the message get lost in these means of transmission? Or does is not matter cuz the message is futile anyway?
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10159
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 11:05 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yes, I think reading books should be encouraged by any means necessary. And this includes using subliminal techniques to get the message across. And in further reflection, I think reading can not only be an acquired habit, but can also be in the genes, an inherent trait. A naturally curious person is usually an avid reader. IMO.
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden

Post Number: 5403
Registered: 03-2004

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Posted on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 01:36 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I'm all for encouraging reading but we are ever more moving toward a society that is dependent on technology that enhances sight and sound. The brains of young people become acclimated to these wave lengths the minute they experience the instant gratification available by turning on the TV or working the controls of a video game. Computers have also become an integral part of the teaching process in schools etc etc

(Cynique is right on the money with this. (She must have copied it out of "The Scientific American" or something.

There is not a damn thing you can do. The masses are going to get stupider and stupider. Only a few people will read. The handwriting is on the wall)
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Cynique
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Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10190
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 12:27 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I "copied" what I said out of my memory. I've expressed this same idea ad infinitum in many posts over the years which is why I said I'd understand if someone was tired of hearing my opinion on this matter, and wished that I would STFU. BTW, chrishayden, - STFU.
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Na_imah
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Username: Na_imah

Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2007

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Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 09:23 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Even with technology you have to be able to read the books or the sites enough to know what you are doing and all that jazz. People will always need the basic reading levels to get by no matter if books are no longer printed in the forms they are now which would be good for the trees and the planet.
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Cynique
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Username: Cynique

Post Number: 10275
Registered: 01-2004

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Posted on Friday, October 12, 2007 - 03:37 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What concerned people are speaking out about is not so much "reading" per se, but about what is read, about reading as a pursuit not a necessity, about connecting with the printed word as opposed to staring at illustrated images. Of course, quality contemporary books and the enduring classics can be made available in a different media and this is acceptable, but nothing can replace the pleasurable experience of curling up with a good book and letting your imagination do the rest.

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