Cassandra Clare, one of my favorite authors, once said “One must always be careful of books,…and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us”. Books are one of the most dangerous weapons against ignorance and censorship. With the rise of fake news, it can be difficult to decipher what is fact and what is propaganda. This is the reason why libraries are so passionate about Banned Books Week.
Banned Books Week is an annual event that celebrates your freedom to read without censorship. This year, Banned Books Week will be celebrated September 23-29. Originally, Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to the surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Books are usually banned because parents find the books inappropriate for their children. However, when books are removed from the shelves, readers are blocked from seeing all viewpoints and perspectives. For example, the popular children’s book Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss was challenged in 2014 in Toronto, Canada because the book “encourages children to use violence against their fathers”. The complaint also demanded that all copies be removed from library shelves and for “an apology from the librarians to all fathers in the Toronto area and for the library to pay for damages resulting from the book”1. Although this example seems a little obtuse, it demonstrates the necessity for libraries to uphold your intellectual freedom rights.
You may be asking yourself, “what is my freedom to read and why should I celebrate it?” Your freedom to read is your freedom to make your own choices about information without outside influences. It is the freedom to seek and to express your own personal ideas without bias or fear of repercussions. At LPPL, we will be celebrating your freedom to read with several banned books activities throughout the parish. See below for a list of activities you can attend during Banned Books Week.
Choctaw
Banned Books & Brownies: Enjoy brownies while exercising your freedom to read any book you choose. Challenged and banned books will be available for reading and checking out.
Monday, September 24, 3:00-5:00 PM
Raceland
Most Wanted Mugshots: These books have been banned. Show that you’re a reading “bannedit” (get it?) by sneaking a peek. Volunteers will get their faces printed on a vintage style wanted poster. Tuesday, September 25 all day
Bayou Blue
Banned Books Bookmarks: In celebration of Banned Books Week, visit the library to create and design a bookmark supporting our freedom to read Banned Books.
Wednesday, September 26, 4:00 PM
Larose
Banned Books Coasters: In honor of Banned Books Week, Tween and Teens will create ceramic tile coasters featuring covers of banned books.
Wednesday, September 26, 4:00 PM
Lockport
*Banned Books Quote Tumblers (Ages 13 & up): We will be using our new Cricut machine to put our favorite banned book quotes on tumbler cups. Please register by stopping at the sign-up table in the library, registering online, or giving us a call (985)532-3158.
Wednesday, September 26, 5:30 PM
Thibodaux
Banned Book Week Magnets: Come by the children’s desk and make a magnet to celebrate your freedom to read any book you choose. There will be printouts of famous banned books, anti-banning logos, and avid reader comics to choose from for your magnet. Magnets will be available all day, while supplies last.
Wednesday, September 26, all day
Gheens
Perks of Being a Wallflower Canvas Art (Ages 8-16): For Banned Books Week, Tweens & Teens will make a mixed media flower on canvas to represent the banned book Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
Thursday, September 27, 2018, 3:30PM
Golden Meadow
Banned Book to Movie: We will be watching DreamWorks’ Captain Underpants.
Thursday, September 27, 4:15 PM
South Lafourche
Movie Afternoon: Enjoy a family-friendly movie on the library’s large screen. Popcorn and refreshments served. This month’s selection is Universal Pictures The Lorax, based on Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, one of a number of children’s books that people have challenged or tried to ban throughout the years.
Saturday, September 29, 1:00 PM
- Katie, Area/Reference Librarian
1 https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/30/librarians-pressed-ban-dr-seuss-hop-pop-violent-un/