Book challenges in America are not new, however recently there has been an unprecedented increase in their numbers. An April report in PEN America cites 1,586 instances of individual books being banned between July 2021 and March 2022. The sheer number of books being banned  raises numerous concerns over improper censorship and infringement of First Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the latest violent development in a long and turbulent history between the two countries. This invasion is the largest conflict to erupt in Europe since World War II. The varying perspectives on the complex history of Ukraine have only intensified with the challenges in their post-Soviet, independent state. There Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

The Chillicothe Public Library is committed to providing essential library services while keeping the health and safety of our patrons and staff at the forefront of our minds. We are actively monitoring the latest CDC recommendations and working to ensure that guidelines are being followed.  The COVID-19 Community Levels are provided by the CDC and Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

The Chillicothe Public Library is committed to providing essential library services while keeping the health and safety of our patrons and staff at the forefront of our minds. With community transmission and positive cases of COVID-19 being at very high levels, we need to be diligent in protecting ourselves and each other from COVID-19 and Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

Banned Books Week is an annual event that celebrates the freedom to read. After a surge in challenges to books in 1982, and a Supreme Court Case which ruled that school officials can’t ban books in libraries simply because of their content, Banned Books Week was launched. Freedom and access to information are the two Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

Due to the nationwide increase in COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates a state-wide mask mandate is in place for Illinois. As of August 30, 2021, everyone over the age of two, is required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.  Guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that was put into place during the pandemic to assist families with internet costs. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households.  The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”

“Freedom’s Eve,” January 1, 1863, came after the Emancipation proclamation address by Abraham Lincoln, which freed enslaved people in the United States. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when the remaining enslaved black Continue reading “https://www.chillicothepubliclibrary.org/wp-content/themes/gridd”