Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County MS Rocks in 2017

The Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County in Mississippi is rocking in the new year with a set list of events featuring The Beatles. The Legendary Fab Four made a splash heard round the world in the 1960s, and their music has lived on in the decades since.

"You always know about them, but you don't always think about them," said Sean Farrell, director at Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County.

The library's programs will offer Pine Belt residents the opportunity to get to know The Beatles better. Their music played a major role in the shaping of popular music in the second half of the 20th century and continues to have an influence on today's music.

The Beatlemania seed was planted last summer when noted Beatles music scholar Aaron Krerowicz contacted Farrell to offer one of his programs because he would be in Louisiana this month.

Farrell took him up on his offer and thought why not create a series of events around The Beatles.

"The Beatles are amazing, interesting and fun, so let's do them up big," he said.

Farrell applied for and received a $2,000 Mississippi Humanities Council grant to help fund the Beatlemania program, and things began to take shape.

Baker & Taylor Acquired by Follett Corporation

Follett Corporation today announced that it has acquired Baker & Taylor, LLC, the leading distributor of books, video and music products to public libraries and institutions, and a major wholesaler to retailers worldwide. With combined sales of $3.6 billion, the two businesses will offer librarians, patrons, educators and students unprecedented access to the best curated physical and digital content wherever learning and reading take place in the community.

Follett is a top provider of technology, services and print and digital content to PreK-12 libraries, schools and higher education institutions. Baker & Taylor, based in Charlotte, NC, will continue to operate as before, serving customers through its existing management team and business operations.

“Acquiring Baker & Taylor marks a major milestone for Follett that expands the possibilities of our two businesses,” said Todd A. Litzsinger, Chairman of Follett. “Through our support of schools, public libraries, colleges, local bookstores and retailers, our teams are uniquely positioned to help communities everywhere strengthen literacy and learning. On behalf of the Follett family, I’m excited and proud to welcome the Baker & Taylor team to Follett.”

Adults Are More Likely To Believe There Are Books That Should Be Banned Than Movies, Television Shows, or Video Games

In just four years, the percentage of Americans who believe there are any books that should be banned has increased by more than half: 28% believe this to be the case today, vs. 18% in 2011. One-fourth (24%) are unsure, which leaves nearly half of Americans convinced that no books should be banned completely (48%).

• Politically speaking, Republicans are nearly twice as likely as Democrats or Independents to believe there are any books that should be banned completely (42% vs. 23% & 22%, respectively).  
• In addition, adults who have completed high school or less are more likely than those with higher levels of education to believe there are any books that should be banned (33%, vs. 25% some college, 24% college grad, 23% post grad).

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,244 U.S. adults surveyed online and in English between March 11 and 16, 2015.

When asked to consider other types of media, adults are less likely to say there are any movies, television programs, or video games which should be banned completely. Only 16% of Americans each believe there are any movies or television programs that should be banned completely, and one fourth say the same about video games (24%). In light of this, perhaps it's not surprising that seven in ten adults believe a rating system (similar to that used for movies) should be applied to books (71%). 

Similar to books, Republicans are more likely than Democrats or Independents to believe there's ever a call for outright bans in each of these categories.

 

AC/DC Announces "Rock or Bust" Album

Columbia Records has announced the release of 'Rock or Bust,' the highly anticipated new studio album from AC/DC, available December 2, 2014. 'Rock or Bust' is the band's first studio album in six years and features eleven new tracks.  'Rock or Bust' follows their immensely successful 'Black Ice' album, which debuted at #1 in 31 countries upon its release in 2008 and has gone on to sell nearly 8 million copies worldwide.  'Rock or Bust' was recorded in Spring 2014 at Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC and finds AC/DC once again working with producer Brendan O'Brien and mixer Mike Fraser.

'Rock or Bust' is the first AC/DC album in the band's 41 year history without founding member Malcolm Young on the recordings.  Earlier this year AC/DC released a statement explaining that due to illness, Malcolm would be taking a break from the band.  Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm's condition, he will not be returning to the band.  AC/DC will undertake a world tour in support of 'Rock or Bust' in 2015.  Stevie Young, nephew of founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, plays rhythm guitar on 'Rock or Bust' and will accompany the band on the upcoming concert tour.