Aaron Cutler Memorial Library

Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has reminded us that while not every book is intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read, listen to, or view. In support of this right, the American Library Association (ALA), libraries, and bookstores across the nation are celebrating Banned Books Week September 24 - October 1, 2005. This annual event celebrates our right to access books without censorship.

According to the ALA website:

"Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met."

Those who challenge books, i.e. attempt to remove or restrict the use of a material, usually do so with the very best of intentions. They are trying to protect others from information that goes against their personal beliefs, and they feel is harmful.

You may be wondering what books have been challenged and why. The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books includes an interesting collection of titles and authors that may surprise you. In fact the Top 10 Most Challenged Authors of 2004 include Barbara Park (Junie B. Jones), J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter), and John Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men). The books on the top 100 list were challenged for a number of reasons including: sexual content, offensive language, occult themes, violence, and the promotion of homosexuality, or a religious viewpoint. Due to the commitment of people who believe free people read freely, most challenges are unsuccessful.

This year's observance is themed "Celebrating the Freedom to Read," commemorating the most basic freedom in a democratic society—the freedom to read freely—and encourages us not to take this freedom for granted. Join the celebration and read a banned book.

"Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." - Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.

Labels: miscellaneous, ReC RooM News

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