The Intellectual Freedom Committee of the American Library Association first published the Library Bill of Rights in 1939, with its most recent revision in 2019. Its words still guide libraries and publishers today as we work to ensure free and uncensored access to information. The American Library Association also celebrates Banned Books Week each fall to bring awareness to issues regarding your rights and responsibilities as a reader and user of libraries. This year, Lee’s Summit North is celebrating Banned Books Week across the first two weeks of October. Swing by the library to view information about censorship, book challenges, and your rights and responsibilities as a reader.
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services. I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019. Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.
Book Club has had an amazing year! We have had lots of fun at our monthly meetings. We had a great field trip with LSH and LSW to Kauffman Stadium and Arcade Alley. And, we received a $700 student-led grant from the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation to give away 120 books to Kindergarteners at two of our LSR7 elementary schools. Check out our Book Club page for how to join and more highlights.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently recognized the Lee’s Summit North High School Library as an Exemplary Library Program. Lee’s Summit North was one of only nine schools in the state to receive the distinction in 2023. The library had to meet 21 criteria to qualify for the recognition and submit an application with numerical, visual, and narrative evidence. You can read the report and more information concerning the program on DESE’s website. Thank you to our administration, staff, and students who make the program what it is.
This July, 24 Lee’s Summit students and four teachers, including Mr. Russell, Mr. Miller, and Ms. Russell, traveled to Japan for 10 amazing days. Mr. Russell organized the trip and recruited students from all three high schools. Students raised funds for more than five years, and though the trip was delayed for two years because of Covid, it was more than worth the wait. The people, the food, and the natural beauty of Japan offered an experience we will never forget. From the Sea of Japan to the heart of Otaku culture in Tokyo, we saw and experienced so much. Stay tuned to your library for future travel opportunities. View more pictures and read about our trip on our Instagram account.
Buckle Up Betsy was part of the Kansas City Cows on Parade in summer 2001. The artistic installation featured approximately 260 life-size cows artistically rendered and on display around Kansas City. Buckle Up Betsy was on display at Union Station near downtown Kansas City and was created by LSNHS art teacher Jeanette Parsons. All of the cows were auctioned off for charity in October, 2001. Many were auctioned by Sotheby’s at Starlight Theater on October 5, 2001; Betsy was part of an internet auction on Amazon starting the same day. Betsy was originally sponsored by three Lee’s Summit area businesses: Carl Chinnery and Associates Law Office, Ray Adams Toyota, and Twin Lakes Insurance agent Mike Smith. The winner of the internet auction donated Buckle Up Betsy back to Lee’s Summit North. For several years Betsy resided in the commons, but after threat of being turned into either a sophomore’s new car or steak at lunch Betsy moved to the safer pastures of the Library Media Center, where she gazes (or grazes) out on one of the best views in Lee’s Summit.
Each year the American Library Association celebrates Banned Books Week to bring light to the dangers of censorship and to celebrate each individual’s freedom to read and access information. The LSN Library celebrates your freedoms as well.
Here are many resources where you can learn more about Banned Books Week and your Right to Read. – This LSN Library page displays the information collected by the ALA Office for Intelectual Freedom concerning book challenges in the United States. This includes a video and slideshow concerning the top 10 most challenged books in 2019. – Here is the official home of Banned Books Week. It contains information and resources for teachers. – Here is a Collection of banned and challenged books that you can check out from the LSN Library. Here are instructions for how to check out books during Virtual Learning. – The ALA’s Library Bill of Rights explains how the library protects your freedom to read and explore your interests widely and privately. You can also read the ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement, which was first adopted in 1953, and continues to be reaffirmed to this day.
There are a lot of great summer reading options available to you this summer. Many have already started!
In our LSN library, starting May 17 you can check out as many print books as you want to be responsible for. You’ll need to bring them back the first day of school, or drop them off at the summer school library.
Our online eBook provider, Sora, has audio books and eBooks available 24/7. Plus, their Sweet Reads summer reading program gives you more than three dozen titles that are always available! This program runs now through early August. The thousands of books we’ve curated for high school students is always available on Sora!
Through Sora, you can also add the library: Audio Syncto get two free audio books every week. While you have to download them the week they are available, once you’ve download them to your device you’ll be able to listen to them at any point in the next 99 years! First, click the link for Audio Sync to sign up. You can even have them send you a reminder when new books are available each week! Then, to add this library within your Sora, 1) Open Sora on your device. 2) In the top right corner, look for a drop-down menu that has ‘add a library’ as an option. 3) Click ‘add a library.’ 4) Search by name Audio Sync 5) log in with your email.
Mid Continent & Kansas City Public’s Sora Libraries: Why not add more choices to your Sora catalogue? Follow the steps above to add a library to your Sora, but search Mid-Continent. Your library card number is LS + your school ID (lunch) number.
As a Jackson County resident, you can also request a new library card from the Kansas City, Missouri public library on their Website. You’ll get a digital card instantly that you can use to check out materials through their Sora library! Follow the same steps to enter KCPL on your personal Sora, giving you up to four libraries to find books in one single search.
Mid Continent Public Library’s summer reading program begins June 1. You can win free books and prizes from the KC Zoo, Science City, the Truman Library, and more.
Seniors, the Library offers a $500 scholarship each year for the best research project. You can find all the details by following this link. All submissions are due by March 11th. Your face could live forever in the library entryway!
There are several ways to check out a book from the library this year! All students can check out ebooks and audiobooks from our Sora collection 24/7 to any device from anywhere. Find more information and login instructions on our Read page.
R7 Online students can place a hold on a book from our Library Catalog. You can find instructions on our “Request a Book” page. Once you have placed a hold on the book, you will receive a confirmation email with pick-up instructions. When you are on your way to pick up the book, please call 986-3025, and we will have the book waiting for you in the front office.
Hybrid students can come to the library during your in-person days to check out a book like normal. Hybrid students can also place holds on books when they are at home or at school. When you place a hold on a book using the same instructions as above, you will receive a confirmation email when it is ready to pick up. You can then stop by the library anytime, and the book will be waiting for you with your name on it right inside the entrance on the pick-up cart pictured below.
