Today marks the start of Banned Books Week, a celebration of intellectual freedom and the ability of libraries to provide books of all types to their users.
Every year the Office of Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association receives almost 500 challenges to books. Since ALA’s recognition of banned books in 1982, more than 11,000 have been challenged in academic, public and school libraries across the country. These books are often literary classics, such as Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird. Check out the list of frequently challenged books or listen to an NPR story on banned books with former ALA president Lorienne Roy.
So support the freedom to read and celebrate Banned Books Week with us.