Banned Books Week 2016!

This week we celebrate Banned Books Week!

from ala.org/bbooks

What is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week, typically falling in the last week of September each year, is a week that recognizes and highlights the importance of our right and freedom to read as we please, as well as the freedom of free and open access to information. These are freedoms that, as librarians, we celebrate every day. Many of us became librarians because we believe so strongly in upholding these freedoms. We hope that Banned Books Week can remind you! of this freedom you may often take for granted. 

Why Do People Want to Ban Books?

Most book challenges and bans are based on claims that the literature is inappropriate, obscene, a danger to the innocence of children, or a danger to the public. Some examples: A K-12 parent is concerned that a book from their child’s school library is inappropriate for them; a book at the public library speaks candidly about a controversial issue; someone is offended by the viewpoint expressed in an author’s work. 

While these concerns are (usually) genuine, The American Library Association (ALA) takes the stance that no one person or group has the power to mandate what other people are allowed to read or write. ALA, and the majority of  any librarian you are to come across, are very anti-censorship. 

A parent certainly has the right, some may argue even the obligation, to direct their own child’s information seeking habits; but they DO NOT have the right to restrict access to a book they object to for other parents’ children. Likewise, a community member has no right to restrict access to library materials for others in their community based on their personal objections. It is a stance rooted in the first amendment – the one that protects freedom of speech and of the press.

You may be asking yourself, "What exactly are we celebrating? Banning Books?!" Actually, quite the contrary.

We are celebrating our freedom to read.

Photo by: romclibrary.com

Anti-Censorship

Banned Books Week strives to bring together the people to focus on the dangers of censorship. The censoring of the written word, no matter the format, is crippling to our freedom of thought, expression, and inquiry. Censorship causes missed opportunities to learn from our past. Censorship suppresses thoughts and ideas that oppose the status quo. Censorship inhibits our critical thinking skills. Who wants to live in a place that allows all of that? Not us.

What are you waiting for? Go out and read one of the books below!

Also, check out www.ala.org/bbooks for more information about Banned Books