Here in the High Library, there is a distinct lack of books on our main level this semester. We've moved all of our books to other floors temporarily, they'll come back once things return to normal, and you can still request them to check out. (Use the library catalog; you'll get your request by the end of the day.)
...But what if you couldn't? What if we'd decided that you couldn't read our books anymore?
Believe it or not, book banning is still a THING.
According to the American Library Association, there were 377 challenges made to library materials and services in just the last year, and they included challenges to 566 books. Not all of these books would have been removed from the shelves, librarians are fierce protectors of their materials, but some of those challenges would have still been successful. It happens. It happens most often in schools and usually for books with diverse content.
This week is Banned Books Week, the week libraries recognize every year to celebrate intellectual freedom. Take some time this week to read a book that someone thinks you shouldn't!
Here's a list of the top 10 books challenged in 2019.
And a list of the top 100 books challenged and banned in the last decade.
I'd be willing to bet you've already read at least one book on those lists! If you haven't, it's time to be a rebel! Many of these books are in our collection, we'd be happy to let you borrow them. ;)
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