Gideon the hero

On wednesday we started going back to this school that we usually go to. During the summer we do not go, because school is out. It is a school associated with a religion. Usually everything goes fine, kids come on, kids get rowdy, kids get stuff and go, mostly garfield. However, on wednesday the after school program person, said that everyone should make sure they get "Christian materials." Then she started nosing in this boy's stuff to see what he checked out. This boy is about 10. He reads manga, mostly Inu-Yasha, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto. He had checked out some manga and the latest Shonen Jump. She pulls his things out and makes a big deal about how they aren't "Christian" and they are like that Pokemon stuff. Then she tried to tell him he couldn't have them and them not being "Christian." She tried to get support from another adult on board, who was a teacher or something and he just didn't respond to her. He pretty much ignored her. Then she sent a student to the office with the boy to ask if these materials were ok for him. And she went off about how there aren't any books with heroes in them and that Gideon was a hero. (Heh, Heh, I should give her the romance novel entitled "Gideon" by Jacquelyn Frank. Then she'll learn what a real hero is/can do.) The boy was allowed to keep his materials on the condition he can't read them at school. I disagree with their religious perspective on the materials, but that is not where I have the biggest problem. She embarassed the boy in front of all his peers. And if these are the materials he likes, then she shouldn't discourage him from reading. But he got to keep his materials in the end, and that is the most important part.

Yesterday was interesting, we started going to a senior facility assisted living that also has a care unit for memory loss. It was interesting signing them up the patrons for cards. Some of them could remember things and others couldn't, but they were trying. They were really happy that we were coming to them. A caretaker came on with them, and I hope she helps them remember about due dates and keeping track of their books. Sometimes doing outreach makes me sad. We see a lot of seniors. A lot of them have problems and some of them pass away. Some of them don't have anyone to take care of them.

Later on, a senior said I reminded her of her niece, but I think she thought I was her niece and she wanted a hug.

I also signed up a patron who was really pregnant and she was under 18. It seems a little strange to sign up a card and give them the status of "child" when they are pregnant.