Vincennes University’s Shake Learning Resource Center celebrated Banned Books Week this week.
According to the American Library Association, “Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores and schools.”
This year’s theme for Banned Books Week is “Freed Between the Lines” to remind people of the threats often made against exploring new ideas and different perspectives.
This year, Shake LRC has on display the top ten most challenged books as reported by the ALA.
LRC Public Services Librarian Jamie Cox said, “Personally, I believe that censorship can have very dangerous consequences – oftentimes, the voices that are censored are from marginalized groups.
“Silencing those voices hurts the communities they represent and prevents others from learning about a different perspective.”
Award-winning filmmaker Ana DuVernay is this year’s honorary ALA chair and reminds readers all over the world why it is important to protect diverse voices.
“I believe that censorship is the enemy of freedom,” said DuVernay.
“By banning books, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn from the past and to envision a braver future.”
But Banned Books Week is not about celebrating scandalous books, library officials say.
“It’s a week where communities can celebrate the freedom to read,” said Cox.
According to the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of efforts to censor books and other resources in libraries increased by 65% last year, reaching the highest levels ever documented by OIF in more than 20 years.
“People may be surprised at what books have had challenges of censorship brought against them, classics such as Lord of the Rings and To Kill a Mockingbird are some books students can check out here this week,” said Cox.
Taking a look at books such as these can demonstrate the wide variety of titles that have been challenged over time, she said.
“One of our values at Vincennes University is cultural enrichment, diversity, and individual freedom, so we welcome the discourse of different ideas.”
If you believe it is important to have the freedom to read, then you should let your voice be heard and defend books from censorship. Learn more on the ALA website at https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned.
