Taylor Ana - Co-EIC

Last week, libraries around the nation celebrated the annual Banned Books Week, aiming to bring awareness to book bans and challenges, and to encourage conversations about sometimes uncomfortable topics and people’s right to read. “I think [[the goal of Banned Books Week]] is to give people information about when censorship does occur, and when we withhold ideas from others, we need to talk about why, and the other part of the discussion becomes ‘Why do I believe my values and morals should be placed on you?’ And so [[Banned Books Week]], really kind of, opens up the discussion and kind of leads to some of those conversations,” OH Library Director Drew Mundsinger said. “There's some books [[like]] Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye,’ kids really don't read that anymore, but… that's, like, in the top [[most banned books]] of all time.” While OH isn’t running any specific programs this year, the Oswego Public Library District (OPLD), with locations in Downtown Oswego and in Montgomery, is running reading challenges for both the youth and teen and adult departments. “This year, we are honoring Banned Books Week with a reading challenge, called the ‘Perspective Challenge’ for teens and adults, and ‘Discover A Different Story’ challenge for children. Challenge cards are available at each campus for patrons to pick up and complete one of the challenges. This is to encourage patrons to read a book about an experience or a character that is unlike themselves, as many of the titles frequently banned show a character or story with different or diverse perspectives,” Assistant Library Director of the OPLD Alli Parker said.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated as of 12:45 with current information. Sept 25, 2026 — The Oswego Police Department (OPD) just lifted the shelter in place for Colchester drive and the immediate vicinity. As of 10:00 am they have the subject in custody, and have cleared and secured the subject's residence. Police are still on the scene completing an investigation. An initial press release has been issued, with more information on the way. According to the Village of Oswego Police, IL Facebook post with an initial press release, the incident began as a domestic disturbance before escalating to an armed conflict. Earlier this morning, officers helped a female resident safely retrieve her property and leave the residence. Later, at 1:19, a male called 9-1-1 requesting medical assistance. Upon arrival of officers, they heard yelling and threats toward officers, as well as a firearm discharge. The subject was taken into custody without further incident, and the investigation is still ongoing.

As part of this November’s ballot, SD#308 residents will have the opportunity to vote on whether to approve a $317 million dollar bond measure to support the updating and repairs of district buildings as part of the district facilities plan. “The purpose [[of the referendum]] is to invest in our facilities, primarily in the infrastructure… since most of our buildings have now reached the 20-year mark or older,” SD#308 Chief Communications Officer Theresa Komitas said. Even the best cared for buildings need repairs eventually, and for SD#308 schools, SD#308 Director Operations Ondre Schoensee said that time is approaching.

OH administration is currently seeking community support to formally rename the OH football field after longtime football coach and former OH teacher Karl Hoinkes to honor his legacy and contributions in Oswego. “[[OH has]] been kind of one of those schools around the state of Illinois that's.. you know, I think traditionally known for good football," OH Assistant Principal of Operations, Athletic Director, and current Head Football Coach Brian Cooney said. "And although there were some really good teams previously, he just created… longevity and stability within the program.” OH’s prevalence and strong athletic programs, both in football and other sports, were greatly shaped by Hoinkes’ coaching and contributions.

George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” published in 1949 in the earliest days of the Cold War, has stuck in the public consciousness for a reason. The novel centers around narrator Winston Smith, a member of the Ingsoc Party (“newspeak” for English Socialism, though it isn’t representative of any real political party or economic system) and his realization of the issues with society. Over the course of the novel he goes from a questioning but obedient follower of Party doctrines to becoming involved in a group of dissenters, then through brainwashing and torture, back to a faithful member. “The whole idea of ‘1984’ with government surveillance had to do with the growth of technology… and that advancement of technology has just made it even easier to track what people are doing,” OH social studies teacher Brenda Shay said. The core issue that sets up the premise and haunts the characters through the entirety of the novel boils down to technological advancements making it feasible for the government to track and listen in on any and all of its citizens that it deems as a threat. The characters are constantly evading — or at least attempting to — cameras and microphones hidden throughout their city and homes. It is unclear in the book just how that information is being sorted through to identify threats or dissenters, but with modern technology, systems like that hardly require manpower.