Library Spotlights Banned Books Week With a Display of 2018 Challenged or Banned Books
What do Skippyjon Jones, George and Captain Underpants have in common? Aside from being popular titles, they’re all on the list of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Top Ten Most Challenged Books in 2018 because of content or offensive language.
Join the Eugene McDermott Library staff in celebrating the freedom to read by checking out challenged or banned books that will be displayed on a whiteboard with the question: “Which of these banned books have you read?” at the top, along with information about the most recent banned books and promotional items. Stop by the display located in the library lobby between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Students who take a selfie with the poster or with their favorite banned book and tag us with #utdbannedbooks2019 on Instagram or Facebook will be entered to win a gift bag.
This week (September 23-29) is Banned Books Week, an annual event initiated by the ALA in 1982 to celebrate the freedom to read and bring attention to current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
“We want to raise awareness of books that are threatened with censorship in a fun way and provide information answer any questions our patrons may have. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the library as a place of access, discovery and inclusion,” said Associate Library Director Dr. Tiffany Norris.
Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community – librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers and readers – in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. Book challenges are highlighted each year during Banned Books Week as library professionals across the country work tirelessly on the frontlines to safeguard free access to information and to fight censorship.
The ALA’s theme this year is “Censorship leaves us in the dark – Keep the light on!” Stop by the library on Sept. 26 and learn more about the banning and challenging of books, talk to library staff on the issue – or learn more about the library’s many services and resources – and don’t forget to take a selfie!