Karen Craig: Auckland Libraries Goddess

The moment that Karen Craig first spoke it felt as if we were catching up with an old friend. She welcomed you with great presence and made you feel as if we all went way back. I however being the unprepared person as always having no questions prepared in all honesty, (a writers flaw) knew then and there I did not need to have any, she simply answered my non-existing questions. She gave you what you needed to know but if others were to ask her something she would respond with an answer that you would remember long enough to write down when you got home. And since I did not have anything prepared, I jolted down as fast as I could what she was talking about. The subject that caught me out of all was the banned books collection. I, myself a person that likes to be free with her words would also like for all people's work to be exposed. Not to cause harm but to simply inform those who do not know anything about the topic or who may have a connection to the story. She referred to many books that were banned through the Office of Film and Literature Classification. For example "Into The River", by Ted Dawe was banned for its content. As an avid reader I'm against the idea of banning books. It is a freedom of speech and If we were to censor everything that we found offence then there wouldn't be much awareness to the younger readers. I had never met someone so passionate about the library till Karen, it was truly inspirational to have her to speak with us that day.