Banned Books Week

By Anne L. RSS Wed, October 1, 2008

This week, libraries across the country are "celebrating" Banned Books Week.  Beginning in 1982, the American Library Association, along with booksellers, publisher and authors, has set aside the last week in September to call attention to those books which individuals and groups have attempted to censor, sometimes successfully.  See Monday's Philadelphia Inquirer for a fascinating article about Banned Books Week.  

Tonight (Wednesday, October 1) at 7:30 here at the Parkway Central Library, Gene Shay, host of  WXPN's The Folk Show,  with local artists, musicians, actors, and TV personalities will read from their favorite censored volumes in a program co-sponsored with the American Civil Liberties Union.

Here are links to just two of the titles that were reported among the most frequently challenged books in the United States last year.  Huck Finn, in particular, is a perennial visitor to this list.  The Free Library owns these titles, and many others that have attracted attention through the years in keeping with the library's mission to make "information and resources freely and easily available, providing the freedom to explore ideas without fear of judgement or censure."  (from Materials Selection Policy)

And Tango Makes Three

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

 


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That is amazing that The adventures of Huckleberry Finn are on the list. Is there an explanation of why? I remember when Harry Potter got popular, there were many religious groups that were trying to get those books banned. That is just amazing! - Charlotte, NC
shaw - Charlotte
Sunday, December 7, 2008

Banned books probably get more publicity because of the ban itself. The ban actually makes people want to read it.
Rhonda - Altoona
Sunday, December 7, 2008

Rhonda, I hear what you are saying. The other thing I was wondering, was whether or not the whole vampire teen romance thing, "Twilight" had any moves to try to get them banned...
shaw - Charlotte
Sunday, December 7, 2008

I haven't followed the whole Twilight book/movie hype but I am sure that anything involving Vampires has some religious group trying to ban it for promoting Satanism. It is sad that reading is one of the best ways for children to enlarge their vocabularies as well as helping them learn the rules of grammar and punctuation yet the books that children would get caught up in and not want to put down are the ones that certain groups want banned.
Rhonda - Altoona, PA
Monday, January 5, 2009

I also must add that I think some books really like the idea of being banned just for the reasons stated by the others so that way it actually sells more than it normally would - especially if it is a very average book.
Sharron - Australia
Thursday, January 8, 2009

Who knows what book will be next? I love how libraries keep our freedoms at the foremost, by creating special displays for banned books. It is very eye-opening to realize what damage can be done by the people who are trying to 'protect' us. Brian
Brian - Example: Cleveland
Friday, January 30, 2009

Funny that most of the books they want to ban are fiction. I know quite a few business / investing books that should be banned for all the bad advice in them but they are always overlooked.
Friday, February 6, 2009

I agree that Huckleberry Finn shouldn't be on that list. It was my first good,interesting book I read back in elementary school. www.net-ebooks.com www.ebooks-downloads.com
John - Hollywood,Fl.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

u are a bitch
craig - Example: Philadelphia
Thursday, April 23, 2009

Attempts to ban or censor a book will make me want to read it. I'd rather decide for myself what is 'good' for me. And Tango makes Three simply sounds like a charming story, one that I have now added to my reading list
- UK
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Bravo to the librarians. I too prefer to make up my own mind
Cotbeds - - UK
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I really don't understand the mindset of people who want to ban books. Basically they want to ban ideas, do they honestly not see how insane that is??? This country needs more freedom, not less!
- PA
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

its wrong to censor anything,what ever happened to free speech and free thinking?
lilly - springhill fla.
Monday, August 3, 2009

Regarding banned books, I've never been a part of a campaign to ban books nor do I think it should necessarily be instituted. However, I wonder if any of those reading this have ever read anything that they regretted reading? Or have your children read a book or magazine that you wish they never saw? Or has your mother or father or spouse seen you reading something that led to an argument or discpline? I believe as much as we all want freedom to do as we please we have to be honest that sometimes that freedom has consequences. If that's the motive from which book-banning comes from, can you blame them who campaign against certain books?
Andy - Philadelphia
Tuesday, December 15, 2009

I love hucklberry fin
sam - adelaide
Thursday, December 24, 2009

I cant believe that they can just ban it
sam - adelaide
Thursday, December 24, 2009

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samuel - adelaide
Thursday, December 24, 2009

some of these are surprising to say the least http://www.wedgeim.com/blog.html
calgary webdesigner - Calgary
Monday, February 22, 2010

Since I live in Eastern Germany, I am quite familiar with the practice of banning books. Even the party-approved socialist authors like Alfred Andersch had their books banned when people decided that the message could be misinterpreted. I wonder how many books are still on the Vatican's banned book list? All the best, Dirk
Dirk - York, UK
Saturday, March 27, 2010

Since I live in Eastern Germany, I am quite familiar with the practice of banning books. Even the party-approved socialist authors like Alfred Andersch had their books banned when people decided that the message could be misinterpreted. I wonder how many books are still on the Vatican's banned book list? All the best, Dirk http://www.summittraining.co.uk/resources.asp
Dirk - York, UK
Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Adventures of HuckleBerryFin is really a an interesting story. It reminds me of my childhood days wherein I'm free as a bird. |
Dashella - north carolina
Thursday, May 27, 2010

This is amazing without effort of some people these hard to find books will be all gone in the attempt to rewrite the history by some politicians. -bill [url=http://www.santa-clara-homes.net]Santa Clara CA homes for sale[/url]
bill - NY
Sunday, June 27, 2010

Maybe someone schould try to get the bible banned cause of all that violence ;-)
- europe
Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? Wow, I always saw this book as a classic, I really don't see the reasoning behind the movement to have it banned. Someone must be mad at the Andy Griffin show .... lol
Scott - Dallas, Texas
Thursday, July 15, 2010

why do they do that?
Juliana - Philippines
Saturday, September 11, 2010

I also must add that I think some books really like the idea of being banned just for the reasons stated by the others so that way it actually sells more than it normally would - especially if it is a very average book.
Andy - Punta Cana
Thursday, August 4, 2011

I really don't understand the mindset of people who want to ban books. Basically they want to ban ideas, do they honestly not see how insane that is??? This country needs more freedom, not less! href="http://www.punta-cana.us">Dominican Republic Real Estate - DR
Tony - DR
Thursday, August 4, 2011