Banned Books Week is an annual celebration of the freedom to read. It supports our Constitutional right, given by the first amendment, guaranteeing freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
Banned Books Week takes place 9/24-9/30 this year and the DiMenna-Nyselius Library is raising awareness through a display of "Forbidden" books on the main level and engaging the Fairfield campus in conversation. Librarians are meeting with several English classes this week to teach with the banned books. Students are given time to read a banned book and share their thoughts on why they think it was banned or challenged. Larger discussions about the effect of banning books on society are considered. Staff and faculty are also invited to be part of a lunch time discussion on Wednesday, 9/27.
According to the American Library Association 323 book challenges were recorded in 2015-2016, although 82-97% go unreported. ALA states that "A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others. As such, they are a threat to freedom of speech and choice." View the top ten challenged books of 2016 here.
Follow the arrows on the library floor to the Banned Books display and check out a book, or take a few minutes to sit down and read/browse in a comfortable chair. By reading a banned book you will be exercising your right to read and denounce censorship!
For more information see: