LibGuides: Library Displays: October

What are Banned and Challenged Books?

From the American Library Association's website

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned-books-qa

Banned Book FAQ

The American Library Association promotes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to read them. The following is a list of frequently asked questions on banned and challenged books:

What is the difference between a challenge or banning?

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. Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.

More information about Banned and Challenged Books

American Library Association
Overview of banned and challenged books, Lists of the most banned titles
Banned Books Week
PEN America: the freedom to write
Simon and Schuster: Books Belong Everywhere
Lists of banned and challenged books. Discussion of this topic. Other resources.

The Fight Against Book Bans
Call Number: Z658.U5 F54 2023
ISBN: 9781440879760
Book bans and challenges frequently make the news, but when the reporting ends, how do we put them in context? The Fight against Book Bans captures the views of dozens of librarians and library science professors regarding the recent flood of book challenges across the United States, gathered in a comprehensive analysis of their impact and significance. It also serves as a guide to responding to challenges. Chapter authors provide first-hand accounts of facing book challenges and describe how they have prepared for challenges, overcome opposition to certain books, and shown the value of specific library materials.
Censored and Banned Literature
Call Number: Z1019 .C46 2019
ISBN: 9781642650280
Censored & Banned Literature examines the wide range of important literary texts that have been subjected to censorship, either at the time of their first publication, later in their history, or both. Because important works frequently offer challenging responses to social, historical, and political issues, often it is the very best works that provoke - at least initially - the most hostility or discomfort. This volume includes The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain (1884), The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger (1951) and Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987).
Silenced in the Library
Call Number: Z1019 .J37 2017
ISBN: 9781440843945
Censorship has been an ongoing phenomenon even in "the land of the free." This examination of banned books across U.S. history examines the motivations and effects of censorship, shows us how our view of right and wrong has evolved over the years, and helps readers to understand the tremendous importance of books and films in our society.Books ranging from classics such as A Farewell to Arms, Lord of the Rings, The Catcher in the Rye, and The Color Purple as well as best-selling books such as Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret, titles in the Harry Potter series, and various books by bestselling novelist Stephen King have all been on the banned books list. What was the content that got them banned, who wanted them banned, and did the ban have the desired effect of minimizing the number of people who read the title--or did it have the opposite effect, inadvertently creating an even larger readership for the book? Silenced in the Library: Banned Books in America provides a comprehensive examination of the challenges to major books as well as the final results of these selections being deemed "unfit for public consumption."

Library Displays: October

What are Banned and Challenged Books?

From the American Library Association's website

https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned-books-qa

Banned Book FAQ

What is the difference between a challenge or banning?

What are Banned and Challenged Books?

Top 13 books challenged in 2022

Censorship by the numbers

Let Freedom Read

More information about Banned and Challenged Books