Banned Books Week: Sept 29 - Oct. 5

There is an interesting story in the news these days about a woman in Maine who deliberately removed copies of a book from two local libraries. She sent a check to the library to pay for the books and told them she had no intention of returning them. I am amused that she has taken it upon herself to determine what I and my family should be able to read when we go to the library. If I can find her address I will send her a copy of another document: the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Follow this link for more on that story.

The American Library Association has published a list of the 10 most challenged books in the 21^st century. Many of these titles were also on the list in the 1990s and they continue to be hotly contested. The Harry Potter series tops the list these days. Here is the list from the ALA:

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers
7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris
8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz
9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
10. "Forever" by Judy Blume

For more information visit the ALA Banned Book “Top Ten” story.

At Rowan Libraries we think this is important and we will celebrate Banned Books Week, this year from Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, with an educational display on the first floor of Campbell Library.

The number of books challenged, and often banned from libraries and schools in the United States is very great, the reasons are few; they are almost always because of political views expressed, the sexual content or health content related to sex, or religion. Interestingly that about covers the contents of the first amendment. Here is what it says:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If you haven’t read a banned book we want to help. Check one out during banned book week receive a free “I Read Banned Books” lapel pin.

Banned Books Week is a program of the Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association. For more information, visit www.ala.org/bbooks or drop by the Campbell library.