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Banned Books Week!

Every year, the TVCC Library joins with the American Library Association and libraries across the United States in celebrating Banned Books Week. This year, BBW is September 26th thru the 30th. What is Banned Books Week? Most of us have heard of banning books or burning books in an historical context... something you may have read in a history textbook yet doesn't seem relevant today. What many don't realize is the practice of banning books (removing them from libraries and school curriculum) still happens today. Not only does it still happen, but it is happening in the United States. One of the most glorious aspects of this country is the fundamental freedoms we all have which are guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.  As a society we celebrate those freedoms, stand on them, defend them. One of those freedoms is the Freedom to Read, to read and to think whatever you choose. Book banning defies that freedom by removing access to books or other materials because individuals may find some of the content offensive.
The list of books that have been challenged or removed from library shelves over the years is astounding. For example, the American Dictionary was removed from a library because some of the words defined were deemed inappropriate to all readers. Little Red Riding Hood by the Grimm brothers was removed from school libraries because, "The basket carried by Little Red Riding Hood contained a bottle of wine, which condones the use of alcohol."

Next week please join with us in celebrating your freedom to read and choose for yourselves.  What to expect next week...
  • You will find lots of information about banned books and a great selection of them in the Library.  
  • We will be hosting a public read-aloud event on Wednesday in the Library from 12 - 6.  You can come and listen to live reading or read yourself from your favorite banned book.  
  • Watch the ALA youtube channel to hear other banned book readers and authors in the Library throughout the week. 
  • Enter the Library's BBW contest here on the blog and be entered to win prizes at the end of the week! 

Comments

Dillon Cummings said…
Little red riding hood is a good book it has action adventure and a happy ending. they banned this book because of the use of alcohol she is carrying it in her bascit.
this book should be read because it is a great way to get in tuch with the younger generation.
Dillon Cummings
September 26, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Evaran said…
One book that was banned at one point by many libraries is "The Scarlet Letter". It was banned because the heroine, who lives in Puritan times, had an affair and a child with a man not her husband, who is thought to be dead. She is unrepentent and will not tell the town leaders who the father is so they can punish them. This book deals with each person being responsible for their own sins or mistakes, so it was very ironic that they tried to ban it. It is a great read, just watch the vocabulary.
September 27, 2011 at 6:14 AM
Evaran said…
Another great banned book is "The Scarlet Letter". Set in Puritan times, the main character sins by having an affair and child by the man. She refuses to cut a deal by naming the father. It is banned because of this even though the story is really about taking responsibility for your own actions. A great book, but a little old fashioned with some interestin vocabulary.
September 27, 2011 at 6:21 AM
Kelly said…
One of my favorite books of all time is "The Diary of Anne Frank". What happened to the history of the world? Did it never happen? To remove this book and others alike is insane. That is real life happenings in our world's history.
September 27, 2011 at 7:10 PM
monica Burmeister said…
Some of the books that have been banned are great books. I've read a great majority of them. F451 for example was a great book. About what else but Burning banned books. It was banned because it used the words "God damn" and "Hell" in it. They also say that The Goverment is secoring what we do... Hmm Kinda looks like the book was Ironic for being banned.
September 28, 2011 at 7:24 AM
ketra said…
i dont beleave in banning books of any kind.Most people focus on the moral of the story and not the inappropiate word or picture that it may contain.Further more banning books like Anne Frank is compliatly inaproprate. How are we suppost to lean from our mistakes & not allow the past to repeat it's self, if we are not allowed to learn the mistakes we have made in the first place.
September 28, 2011 at 3:52 PM
shane s said…
some of my favorite books are the harry potter books.. banned because they have magic in them..it doesnt hurt to have emagination every once in a while..thats why i like them
September 29, 2011 at 1:45 PM
Andrea J said…
There are many ways in which the ruling minority try to control the working majority, and banning books that further a persons mind and interest, has always been a go-to method. Any attempt to manipulate the content of a persons experience is a direct attempt to distort the reality of that person. Also, ignorance and fear of reprisal can cause many well meaning people to support such horrible machinations. That being said, one of my favorites is Huckleberry Finn, banned multiple times over the decades and for a variety of reasons. Context can change everything in a book.
September 30, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Kristi said…
I enjoyed the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. They were banned for their use of witchcraft. I enjoyed these books because of their ability to take me away! How fun to imagine that one can use magic! Most of the books I have read have been to show my boys that reading is fun! And it can take you places that you don't normally go.
October 2, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Ashley Butters said…
What is the purpose of supplying students with a library, if the books they want or need are not readily available? The point of having a library is to help students broaden their horizon. Whether it be for entertainment or educational purposes any student should be able to read any book. Banning books takes away from a unique learning experience.
October 3, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Joe Wewers said…
I think that they shouldn't be able to ban books at all. Books should be something you enjoy and can relate too. Every person enjoys a different kind of book, and i think it's ridiculous that books that people enjoy are being banned for stupid reasons.
October 3, 2011 at 8:16 PM
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