Banned Books Week

We’re coming to the end of Banned Books Week, a national observation that started in 1982. This is a week where libraries across the nation, as well as other organizations and individuals, shine a spotlight on censorship. The freedom to read is not just something we practice for one week, obviously, so please take a minute to read the Library Bill of Rights, particularly the first four, from the American Library Association. The ALA affirms that library services should be guided by these six basic policies, and you’ll see how they play into libraries taking a stand against removing access to materials.

As a public library serving a diverse population, we cannot limit or censor books because we do not agree with the views expressed within the book. We have budgetary restrictions and a collection development policy which guides how our materials are selected, so these two factors will obviously affect what you’ll see on the shelves. However, to remove a book from a collection based on an individual’s views is to effectively make the decision for every other person. Some people cannot afford to buy books or movies, so if it’s not from a library where they can borrow it for free, they would be unable to borrow something they wished to read, listen to, or view.

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has reported over 10,000 challenges since 1990. A challenge is a formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed from library shelves or school curriculum. According to the OIF, about three out of four of all challenges are to material in schools or school libraries, and one in four are to material in public libraries.

Banned Books Week reminds 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. Libraries are for everyone, everywhere. We’ve had our banned books display in the library for the past couple of weeks, so stop in and see it or if you’d like to access more information, check out what the American Library Association has available on their website.

We hope that you’ll take the time this week, and every week, to celebrate the freedom to read.