Banned Books Week
September 30 – October 6, 2012
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week, a week used to recognize our freedom to read and to call attention to attempts to challenge that freedom. Banned Books Week is especially celebrated in the library community. This is not surprising, given that libraries have a long history of, and commitment to, providing unfettered access to information and ideas.
Last year, libraries across the United States reported 326 book challenges to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
The 2011 top 10 most frequently challenged books included:
- The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins (Reasons: anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; occult/satanic; violence)
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie (Reasons: offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; unsuited to age group)
- Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (Reasons: insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit)
- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee (Reasons: offensive language; racism)
If you’d like to learn more about banned and challenged books, take a look at this special timeline – 30 Years of Liberating Literature – or visit the Frequently Challenged Books website. One of the ways in which you can show your support of Banned Books Week is to participate in the Banned Books Virtual Read-Out. The Read-Out is a way for readers from around the world to participate in the 30th anniversary celebration of Banned Books Week by posting videos to a dedicated YouTube channel. In this video, several well-known authors discuss their favorite banned books.
We hope you’ll take a moment this week to reflect upon your freedom to read.
Have you checked out our 
Tutors at the ESOL Center (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and the Writing Center have the knowledge, experience and expertise to help you improve your writing skills. Although the centers don’t officially open their doors until next week, they are already accepting appointments online via their websites.
The library will be closed Saturday, September 1, through Monday, September 3 (Labor Day). Normal library hours will resume when fall classes begin on Tuesday, September 4.
