Yes, books are still being challenged for removal in 2014

intro-banned-books-week-2014What is Banned Books Week? The American Library Association’s weeklong observance “highlights the value of free and open access to information” (source)—and reflects on the fact that yes, books are still being challenged, banned, and removed from circulation in communities in the US.

(Image source here.)

So why does Better World Books care? Access to reading material is a crucial component for literacy, and there are many places in the world where access to books is not guaranteed. So here are some interesting links regarding your freedom to read:

  • Want to know last year’s most challenged books? The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) monitors reports from libraries, schools, and the media regarding formal requests to ban or remove books from collections in the US, and compiles lists of the top 10 most challenged books organized by year.
  • Famous Authors’ Funniest Responses to Their Books Being Banned – Read what J.K. Rowling, Kurt Vonnegut, and even Mark Twain had to say about their books being banned. (Not to mention Harper Lee’s grade-A zinger.)
  • Powell’s compiled a list of 33 must-read books that “THE MAN doesn’t want you to read.” (Note: There was no rebuttal from THE MAN at time of press.)

We hope your Banned Books Week is full of great and interesting reads, and that you enjoy maximum literary “freadom.” Happy reading!

3 Comments

  1. Carmen Klapperich says:

    Back in the 50s my father was being interviewed for jury selection for an obscenity trial. The lawyer asked if he had read such-and-such banned book. My father said “yes.” The lawyer proceeded to name several other banned books and my father said “yes” to all but one. The lawyer asked him why he hadn’t read that particular one. My dad said, “I don’t know. But I’m going to go find a copy of it as soon as I leave here.”

  2. Harold Daughety says:

    Putting words in print does not create an absolute privilege to distribute. As a mental health counselor I worked at times with sexually abused children. Circulating “how -to” and descriptive histories of sexual abuse is destructive of life. So where to draw the line? I would say between Life-Affirming’ and “Life-Denying.” How do we judge? I haven’t the slightest idea.
    But I will always speak out to protect innocents from harm.

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