Strike Up the Banned

Banned Books Week (September 18-24) is here, the week libraries around the U.S. bring attention to books that have been banned or challenged. Occasionally we hear on the news about communities displeased that their local library houses certain books that may address subjects such as religion, sexuality, profanity, violence, or other hot button topics. Some people even go as far as asking that books they deem offensive be removed or "banned" from the library so no one can obtain them.

There is a saying that every good library has something to offend everyone (including librarians). As a reader, I may not like or agree with the perspectives presented in every book in the library, but as a librarian, it is my job to help library patrons find the books or information they are seeking. It is not my place to judge what you are looking for or to keep information from you.

The U.S. is built on the key principle of freedom. That includes the freedom to access information and read whatever you like. You also have the freedom NOT to read something you don't like. When we go down the dangerous road of banning books from libraries, we enter the realm of censorship, which is a restriction of freedom. Sadly, there are libraries in other parts of the world that do censor information because of national laws and politics.

We have reason to be grateful for living in a nation where libraries are free to offer all kinds of information and lend books to everyone. We don't need to fear torture or imprisonment for reading something. What we do need to fear is any threat to our freedom of accessing reading materials. A free and healthy society is one in which its people are respectful and tolerant of various views expressed in literature, even though some of those views may be contrary to their own.

Helpfully and respectfully yours from the perch.