Celebrate the freedom to read this year with the American Library Association’s annual Banned Books Week. The week “highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community; librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”
According to the American Library Association, “The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. We compile lists of challenged books in order to inform the public about censorship efforts that affect libraries and schools.”
The ALA also has jazzed up their social media to show off some of the best banned books, and includes a “celebrate diversity” rainbow header to show off their support for everyone—particularly the LGBT community,
Unfortunately some of the most frequently challenged books (in the top 10) deal with the LGBT community, so which made the list?
Reasons: Inaccurate, homosexuality, sex education, religious viewpoint, and unsuited for age group.
Reasons: Anti-family, offensive language, homosexuality, sex education, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, and other (“wants to remove from collection to ward off complaints”).
Reasons: Violence and other (“graphic images”).
Reasons: Homosexuality and other (“condones public displays of affection”).
