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Whether you write fiction, creative nonfiction, or screenplays, one of the most important aspects in engaging your readers is your story’s voice. But what even is “voice”? Why does Stephen King sound completely different than Jane Austin? And how exactly does a writer connect to the right voice for their story? In this four part recorded lecture Trai Cartwright will break down this crucial craft element into its components, and then give you a step-by-step guide for engaging your own voice!

Watch Cartwright’s series on Library OnDemand, or here:

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 1

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 2

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 3

Finding Your Story’s Voice, Part 4

Then, join us at the 2024 Writers Conference on Friday, Nov. 15 to workshop your story with Cartwright and fellow writers.

Quick—think of a book you loved as a kid. 

If you’re like many others, you thought about “Charlotte’s Web” or “The Giving Tree.” Maybe for you it was “A Wrinkle in Time or “Where the Wild Things Are.” Or maybe your family couldn’t get enough Dr. Seuss and story time was all about “The Lorax” and “Hop on Pop.”

Like so many other books that have been beloved in our society for years, all of these books have been challenged and banned in various places in the country. Between January 1 and August 31 of this year, 1,128 unique titles were challenged in libraries and schools across the country. Florida and Texas have the most challenges this year, but book challenges have happened in 41 states and 247 public school districts.

Banned Books Week was created in 1982 as response to a sudden surge in challenges to books in libraries, bookstores and schools across the country.  Challenges have continued to rise; The American Library Association reports that 4,240 unique book titles were challenged in 2023 across the United States. This is a 65% increase from 2022, when 2,571 unique titles were challenged, and a 128% increase over the number of books challenged in 2021. 47% of the books targeted for censorship in 2023 were titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) individuals.

The intent of Banned Books Week is to highlight the value of free and open access to information—and to draw wide attention to the harms of censorship. Banned Books Week is typically observed in some way by libraries, schools, booksellers, writers, publishers and readers in all parts of the country, usually during the last week of September. 

Why does this observance matter to Johnson County Library? Because what you read and view is your business, not the Library’s. The Library’s job is to protect your right to read and view what you want, and to maintain your privacy at the same time. 

In order to do this, the Library does not determine the books and materials on its shelves based on the personal beliefs of our Board of Directors, Administration, management or staff. 

Rather, the Library’s Collections team abides by our Library Collection Policy to determine which materials will be purchased and available to patrons to borrow. The Library is also part of an Inter-Library Loan system that helps to procure materials that are not in our collection but are available from other libraries across the country. 

The policies that protect patrons’ right to read and view what they want are our Freedom to Read and  Freedom to View policies. Both policies say what we believe: that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture; that these pressures toward conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend; that every American community must zealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read; and that that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings. 

Patrons also play an important part in the Library’s collection process. Through the Suggest a Purchase form, anyone can request that the Library add material that it currently doesn’t have to our inventory. And, if a patron objects to material currently in the Library’s inventory, they can submit a Request for Reconsideration, which will be reviewed by our Collection Development Manager. 

Resources:

There are resources if you want to learn more about banned books, censorship and the value of intellectual freedom. Some of these are Library resources, others are from outside organizations. 

Civics 101: Libraries and the Freedom to Read: a video panel discussion featuring veteran librarians discussing the freedom to read and to explore the issue of book challenges and censorship. They explore the significance of unrestricted access to information and the role of librarians as guardians of intellectual freedom. 

Most Challenged Books of 2021 & 2022: A List: a booklist including the most challenged books of 2021 & 2022

Banned book data for 2023

Top 10 Most Challenged Books 2001-2022

The Freedom to Read: Learn more about the freedom to read, the guiding principle of most public libraries, at this link that takes you to the American Library Association.

How Libraries Select Materials: Learn more about the American Library Association’s guidelines for libraries and the selection of materials. 

Banned Books Week website

In this three-part recorded lecture, Jenifer Boles walks authors through building a social media calendar.

From #Booktok and #Bookstagram, this series will help you get started developing your brand, find and grow your audience, and design a content routine. 

Watch Boles series here: 
Part 1: Branding 
Part 2: Growth 
Part 3: Content Routines

Then join Jenifer Boles at the Nov. 15 Writers Conference, where Boles will workshop your social media platforms with our local author community to develop a monthly #jocowrites content calendar and engagement group.

As the Kansas City region and the U.S. prepare for a crucial November 5 election, Johnson County Library reminds the community that it is a trusted, non-partisan resource for free access to local and national voter information. 

Patrons can educate themselves about the candidates and issues through books, periodicals, newspapers and online news outlets with no paywall. They can also attend candidate forums, pick up excellent voter guides (available online and in all branches in early October), register to vote and vote.  

Voter information boards are displayed at all branches, with important dates and other reminders. Some Library branches serve as polling places and also have secure ballot drop boxes.

“We try to take a really positive and encouraging spin on supporting voters,” said Program Coordinator Ashley Fick, who has overseen the Library’s civic engagement programming for 11 years. “We want voting to feel accessible, not overwhelming. We’re here to help make the entire process easy.” 

For the 2024 General Election, the Library will provide resources about the Kansas 3rd Congressional District, state Senate and House races, the Johnson County District Attorney and Sheriff’s races, and several Johnson County Commission District races. More information is available at jocolibrary.org/research/information-voters. 

“We are particularly highlighting the Kansas City media collective’s voter guide,” Fick said. Kansas City’s major media outlets are teaming up to provide information for both Missouri and Kansas, free of charge. The General Election voter guide will be available online but Fick is excited that print versions will also be available in all branches. 

The last Presidential election was in 2020, when the COVID pandemic made public gatherings difficult. This year, Fick is eager to welcome patrons into Johnson County Library’s branches for all sorts of in-person voter engagement opportunities.  

For the primary election, Johnson County Library provided space for the Johnson County Post’s candidate forums for Sheriff, District Attorney and County Commission District 6 races. Fick said they were well attended, and additional forums are being planned ahead of the General Election.  

“We work extremely hard to make sure we offer thoughtful and thorough programs that give people the chance to connect with the candidates and learn more and make informed decisions,” she said.  

The Library also has a great partnership with the League of Women Voters of Johnson County.  

“It’s very significant,” Fick said. “They make it easy to offer voting information at all our locations. They go into the branches and chat with patrons, helping them find their polling places and giving them the information they need. A personal connection is what they offer us.” 

Marie Hernandez, who chairs the League’s voter information team, said voting is vital to a community’s civic health. The League’s 411 site helps people understand who is running locally and what they stand for.  

The Library and the League are both well-respected, non-partisan organizations. The partnership serves both organizations well, Hernandez said, as they team up for candidate “meet and greets” that are opportunities for civil, respectful discourse. 

“That’s an important part, the place they play in the voter education and voter registration space,” Hernandez said.  

Once election season ends, the Library and the League continue to provide information and exposure to elected officials and a wide variety of viewpoints. They host well-attended legislative coffees where patrons ask questions and elected representatives get valuable constituent feedback. It’s another way that the Library fulfills its commitment to connect community members in a very positive way, over local issues that matter. 

Johnson County Library is your trusted source for reliable election information. Explore resources that help you evaluate media, learn about local government, catch the latest news, and engage with the community. Get started at jocolibrary.org/community-matters.

Do you have a completed manuscript? Are you wondering if it’s time to self-publish or submit to an agent? It’s not! Now is the time to find a Beta Reader. In this recorded video class Jessica Conoley, who specializes in helping creatives learn the business side of writing, will explain what a beta reader does, how to find one, and why you should definitely have one.

After viewing, join us at the 2024 Writers Conference on Friday, Nov. 15th where Jessica and her team from The CE Coaches will facilitate matching you with the perfect reader.

We offer Storytime varieties carefully planned based on a child’s age group and developmental abilities. If you have children in different age groups, we encourage you to join us for a Family Storytime or the variety best suited for the youngest child. Older siblings are always welcome. Each child is unique, but we recommend the following ages for the different Storytime varieties: 

• Baby Storytime: Birth to 18 months and a caregiver 
• Movin' and Groovin' Rhyme Time: 12 months to 24 months and a caregiver 
• Toddler Storytime: 18 months to 3 years and a caregiver 
• Preschool Storytime: 3-6 years and a caregiver 
• Family Storytime: Fun for the whole family 

See Storytimes On Demand »

Let us know how you enjoyed Storytime »

Johnson County Library has just launched a department entirely focused on continuing to develop its excellent program offerings to be even more robust, responsive and accountable to the community.

“We are adapting to a new model of designing and delivering library programs,” explains Angel Tucker, the new Program Department Manager, who will oversee the department of 22 people. “We see this as an opportunity to redefine and prioritize collaborative efforts as it relates to providing innovative services to the community.”

As the needs of diverse audiences grow and evolve, this focused approach to programming will allow the Library to better understand and serve their needs.  It’s all about providing children, teens, adults and seniors with ideas, information, and experiences to enrich their lives.

The programming staff will focus on important community interests and outreach, enhancing cooperation and coordination with other Library departments, county agencies, volunteers and myriad organizational partners.

Tucker said communication both internally and with the public will be key. The department will be doing a lot of listening to their colleagues and members of the public, with a goal of responsiveness, creativity, strategic thinking, relationship building and service orientation. 

The organization’s staffing structures were last evaluated about 10 years ago, when libraries and the world were very different. The need to take a step back and look at how to best meet patron and community needs became apparent during the pandemic, Tucker said.

“We started to think about the many challenges we are facing,” she said. “How can we make our efforts more sustainable?”

Change is hard, Tucker acknowledged, and it has proven to be disorienting for both staff and the public. “It will take time, training, and an intentional focus on cross-department collaboration,” Tucker said. “Johnson County Library staff are smart and creative and they want to be vested in impactful work.”

Patrons will see some changes to favorite providers of programs like Book Groups and Storytimes. But Tucker emphasized those popular and well-loved offerings will continue to be offered in pursuit of sustainability and growth. The ultimate intention is to balance process and outcome and to invest in relationships internally and externally. “We will center a co-design methodology that gives key stakeholders — the community, partners, and colleagues — a defined role in the program design process.”

Tucker brings 20 years of experience with Johnson County Library to her new role and has worked on successful initiatives throughout that time. She began as a part-time youth specialist at Central Resource Library and started a middle school creative writing class that evolved into the Library’s highly-praised teen literary magazine, elementia.

She eventually took a full-time Library position and in 2014 helped develop Race Project KC, a social justice project aimed at educating teens and the wider community about race relations in the Kansas City area and nationwide.

She says she’s been blessed with an incredible team of colleagues. “Everything I’ve accomplished, I’ve accomplished with my colleagues,” she said.

The new programming department includes veteran Library staff. In addition to 12 Program Services Specialists with decades of combined experience providing public programs, the department will be led by two Program Operations Managers and six Program Coordinators. Key program areas will include Pre-readers; Summer Reading; Reading Arts and Culture; Writing Arts and Language; and Community Matters (civic education and community engagement.)

Tucker said it’s exhilarating to forge even greater connections with the community, discovering their needs and wants and reaching people who don’t yet know all the Library has to offer. She’s excited about the possibilities and eager to get going with her team on this new initiative to carry the Library into the future.

We have recommendations to help make your fall more cozy! Charles takes the host seat and is joined by Librarians Piepie Baltz and Allie Gibler to recommend books and more from our collection that will make you feel cozy as we begin to spend more time indoors during the fall.

Check out these recommendations mentioned in the episode »

Johnson County Library’s signature early literacy program, 6 by 6, Ready to Read: Six Skills by Six Years, has captivated children, parents and caregivers since 2009. With dynamic artwork, materials and programming, it has provided invaluable tools to prepare kids to love reading.   

As the Library celebrates the 15th anniversary of this hugely successful program, it is taking the opportunity for a rebrand, debuting a new look for the beloved characters that represent each of the six skills: Have Fun with Books (a monkey); Look for Letters Everywhere (a peacock); Notice Print All Around You (a kangaroo and joey); Take Time to Rhyme (a goat); Talk Talk Talk (a toucan); and Tell Stories About Everything (a turtle).  

The new artwork and this fall’s activities honor the original program’s excellence while recognizing the multimedia aspects of contemporary Libraries, to connect with a new generation of young readers.  

“Early literacy is more multidimensional now,” says Program Operations Manager Shannon Goebel, who was Early Literacy Coordinating Librarian from 2021 to 2024. “There are so many new ways to interact with Library resources, including Talking Books and eResources like BookFlix. It’s bringing the characters into a new generation of kids and Library resources, while still reinforcing the 6 by 6 skills."  

When children’s author and illustrator Brad Sneed was invited to illustrate the original program in 2009, he used animals and humor, hallmarks of his work, to bring each skill to life in a fun way.  

“As an illustrator I provide visuals,” he said. “I get people’s attention. They get curious and are inspired to read further and dig deeper.”  

Updating the characters has allowed Sneed to reflect the evolution of Library services and his own artistic journey. While the originals were watercolors, the new ones are drawn digitally, allowing for bolder colors and even more expressive creativity.  

He’s thrilled to be part of such an impactful initiative. “It’s just a very quality, thorough, interesting and well-researched program that lays it out for parents how to build a foundation for young readers,” he said. 

Goebel said Sneed has succeeded in preserving the original characters’ whimsy and joy, while revamping them for a contemporary audience. 

Jennifer Taylor, graphics coordinator for Johnson County Library, was honored to work on the initial launch and is excited about the rebrand. She said the characters have always appealed to children from birth to age six, and these updated graphics make them even more compelling.  

“It was time for something new and fresh,” she said. “Just like what we’re looking for in these illustrations, the Libraries are more colorful and fresh now.” 

Early Literacy skills, based on the science of children’s brain development, were originally identified by the Public Library Association in partnership with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Johnson County Library customized the research to resonate with patrons and launched what became the enormously popular 6 by 6 program in September 2009. In 2012, the State of Kansas adopted 6 by 6 as its own early literacy program. 

It remains one of Johnson County Library’s premier services. Storytimes attracted more than 32,000 attendees in 2023. Another indication of 6 by 6’s impact is that, even 15 years on, the Library still gets countless requests from parents, grandparents and early childhood teachers for information on these proven approaches. 

Goebel praised the staff from 2009 to today for sustaining and growing the program, with book lists, activity kits, workshops and other resources.  

“6 by 6 is a collaborative effort supported by countless staff,” she said. “It’s a testament to the passion and expertise of Johnson County Library staff, and the rebrand is a way to carry it forward.” 

Johnson County will celebrate the 6 by 6 program throughout this fall. The Johnson County Commission has designated Sept. 15-21 as Early Literacy Week, special birthday-themed storytimes will be featured in branches the week of Sept. 16, and the 6 by 6 Birthday Bash is planned for Saturday, Oct. 5, at Central Resource Library. More details can be found in the Fall 2024 Guide, available at a branch near you and also available to view online. 

The Fall 2024 Guide is available at all locations! You can also browse the full Guide online. The Guide is your source for the latest Library information. Inside you’ll find upcoming events and programs, service highlights, branch updates, Friends of Johnson County Library and Johnson County Library Foundation news. The Guide is published trimesterly and covers forthcoming events for the next four months. 

The cover art was created by Kansas City, MO painter Kelly Meiners, whose artwork serves as a communication method for her to express emotions otherwise inaccessible because of a brain injury. Meiners’ art will be on exhibit at Lenexa City Center Library this fall. Make sure you pick up a copy of the Guide at a branch near you.