By Elliot Miner
Libraries provide a vast ocean of new information for individuals, especially young children, to broaden their minds, enjoy learning, and let their imaginations run wild. But what happens when certain books are no longer available to read and become banned from schools and libraries?
Well, on the campus of Western New England University, the librarians at D’Amour Library hosted an event to bring awareness of the rising number of books banned or challenged in many school districts and libraries across the country. This event was open to all students, faculty, and staff to stop by and learn more about the books that have been deemed controversial.
As part of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Banned Books Week, held from September 22-28 this year, D’Amour Library hosted a Banned Books Read-Out in the Clarke Reading Room from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24. During this event, D’Amour librarians sought to raise awareness of the rising number of books banned or challenged in school districts and libraries across the country. The event was invited students, faculty, and staff to stop by and learn more about the books that have been deemed controversial.
D’Amour Library’s Banned Books Read-Out took place on the library’s first floor in the Clarke Reading Room on Tuesday, September 24 from noon to one o’clock. During this hour, the librarians and other attendees read out loud excerpts from several banned books and discussed the reasonings behind why these books are banned. The librarians read out their personal favorite books that have been challenged in several states, including And Tango Makes Three and The Last Stop on Market Street.
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell was published in 2007 and was later banned in several Florida School Districts. It was challenged due to its LGBT themes that were declared not suitable for young children as the plot of the book was about two male penguins in the Central Park Zoo raising their adopted daughter named Tango.
On the other hand, The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de La Peña had been challenged because of its depictions of inequality and low-income households. This children’s book was about a young boy learning to appreciate everyday things during a ride on his school bus.
D’Amour Library Director Elin O’Hara explained why so many books have been targeted in recent years, especially in school systems.
“People, especially parents, do not want their children reading a certain type of book, whether it be on a subject they think their children should not learn about or because of their religious beliefs,” she said. “And they want to take away the chance to read these books from every child – not just their own children.”
Though parents may want to shield their own children from ideas that challenge the parents’ worldview and belief systems, the decision to challenge those books in school districts prevents others from reading them as well. Public libraries, too, have come under pressure to remove books that challenge or question dominant beliefs or values in their communities.
Books are usually challenged for a number of reasons, especially for children’s books, when parents insist a book is too violent for kids to read or have LGBT themes illustrated. In these cases, some parents want their children to keep their worldview and belief systems, not wishing for them to learn about different values or beliefs, and decide to challenge these books in school districts to restrict others from reading them as well. This is why D’Amour Library hosted its Banned Books Read-Out, O’Hara described, “to raise awareness and allow people to know the types of books being banned and understand why a book may be challenged, especially now since book banning has substantially increased across the country this year.” The number of books targeted for censorship rose sixty-five percent from 2022 to 2023, and this percentage is still growing.
The American Library Association’s website displays the top ten most challenged books of 2023 to support the purpose of freedom to seek and express ideas. This list was displayed on the table during the Read-Out for people to look through along with the books so attendees could see which books have been deemed controversial. This Banned Books Read-Out was a great chance to gain awareness of the rising censorship laws and restrictions being placed on books, and it will be held next year during Banned Books Week—which is usually the last week of September—to give more people the opportunity to learn more about banned books.
