Learn About Banned Books Week

Throughout history, books that challenge political ideologies or religious sentiments have often been the first to be faced with censure. During the early 20th century, nations banned and even burned books that they thought might endanger the status of their regimes. By the 1950s, the United States jumped on the “banned wagon.” This was not the first time a book was banned on American soil, but it set a path for our current social debate.

Bans are enforced on an institutional basis. If a book is banned or removed in one place, it does not mean it is banned in all others. Every year the American Library Association (ALA) tracks all formal challenges and official bans. They create charts based on statistics compiled from hard data and openly share them with the public via their website for free. Along with this, every year, the ALA celebrates the right to read with National Banned Books Week in October by empowering readers to defend books against censorship.

While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that in many cases, due to community efforts, the books have remained available. In the U.S., we defend the right to free expression. The ALA Freedom to Read Statement (1953) declares that “we trust the people of this nation to make their own decisions about what they read and believe.” Seventy years later, this still rings true.

At CDPL, we have many different types of books in our collection from many different perspectives. “1984” (FIC Orw) by George Orwell and “Cat’s Cradle” (FIC Von) by Kurt Vonnegut are examples of well-known classic novels from our collection that once disrupted the fiber of American culture.

We also have books that discuss difficult topics, such as “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” (978.004 Bro) by Dee Brown or “The New Jim Crow” (364.973 Ale) by Michelle Alexander. We have options that tackle similar subjects in an age-appropriate manner, such as “American Boys” (YA FIC Rey) by Jason Reynolds.

Looking to dive into an exciting chapter book? Consider the once controversial “Charlotte’s Web” (j FIC Whi) by E.B. White or a popular adventure like “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (j FIC Row v.1), volume one from the beloved series by J.K. Rowling. You can escape to a fantastical place in English or Spanish with “Bridge to Terabithia” (j FIC Pat) or “Un Puente Hacia Terabithia” (j 468 Pat) by Katherine Paterson.

Ask our helpful library staff for assistance in finding these books or others. Take a moment to search our vast collection of reading materials. Come to our Book Sale, which is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

If you are interested in acquiring a CDPL library card, searching our catalog in advance, or signing up for an upcoming program, please visit our website at cdpl.lib.in.us, or for more information call 765-362-2242. CDPL is open Monday-Thursday 9a-9p, Friday-Saturday 9a-5p, and Sunday 1-5p.