What is Banned Books Week? Banned Books Week (September 23-29) is a celebration of the right to read and access information. It’s also become a way for libraries to raise awareness of censorship and to encourage others to act against it.
Why are books banned? Patrons sometimes object to controversial books that are available in libraries (usually public and school libraries) and seek to have those materials removed. Reasons for objecting to these books vary, from portrayals of racism (To Kill a Mockingbird) to vulgar language (The Catcher in the Rye) to LGBT themes (The Color Purple) to the promotion of witchcraft (Harry Potter). It might seem odd that many titles which are controversial are also considered classics - This is likely because these books force us to view complex issues from other perspectives, which can make us uncomfortable as they encourage us to challenge our own beliefs and experiences.
Do libraries support banning books? Not at all! In fact, most libraries embrace the freedom to read. When librarians receive challenges to controversial materials, they try to work with the patrons to see if an agreement can be reached so that the materials are not censored for everyone. During Banned Books Week, librarians highlight books which have been challenged to show just how much richer our culture is when we have access to those books.
How can we celebrate Banned Books Week? The best way to celebrate BBW is to recognize how censorship harms everyone, and to encourage others to do the same. And even better - take a look at our Banned Books display and check out a controversial book today!
Find out more at ALA's Banned and Challenged Books website.
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