This LibGuide is designed to provide information about banned books and Banned Books Week. Use the tabs above to find out more information about these topics.
Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Library Association and is held annually during the last week of September to celebrate the freedom of choice and the opportunity to express one's voice. Books that have been banned or censored are put on display in order to draw attention to the fact that all voices should be heard, even if they are from unpopular points of perspective.
"Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information. 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."
Information and Clip Art taken from:
Banned books are books that have been considered unfit to read in schools or have in libraries. These books have been the target of censorship due to their contents. Books may be banned locally, but in some instances are banned nationally as well. A banned book is not illegal to read, but may be difficult to find. It is not uncommon for a book to be banned from some schools, but be on the reading lists for others.
"In 1989, two California school districts banned Grimm's Fairy Tales because Little Red Riding Hood carries food and wine in her basket to grandmother. The reasoning cited concerns about inappropriate use of alcohol."
This LibGuide was created by Information Commons
Last Update was September 11, 2017
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Thank you to LJ at Butler University Library for their permission to adapt this LibGuide.