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Celebrate Banned Books!

In 1982 American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom launched Banned Books Week in response to an increase of books being challenged in schools, libraries and bookstores. This annual event brings together libraries, authors, readers, pub

In 1982 American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom launched Banned Books Week in response to an increase of books being challenged in schools, libraries and bookstores. This annual event brings together libraries, authors, readers, publishers and teachers to celebrate diversity of ideas and intellectual freedom. 

Challenged vs Banned

Challenged: Requests for a book to be removed from a collection or reading list based on the book's content

Banned: A challenged book is removed from a collection or reading list

What does it mean to you when a book is challenged or banned? 

Censorship of any kind attempts to hide or control ideas. It also undermines education and our ability to develop critical thinking skills. Tenets of democracy include the freedom of expression and to explore new ideas. Attempting to interfere with either also attempts to curtail our freedom to examine the world around us.