Banned books seem like a strange thing for a library to celebrate. But every year, hundreds of libraries and bookstores across the US hold events to celebrate our freedom to read.
On Tues Sept 29, local celebrities, community members, Nyack Library Trustees and staff members will read excerpts from a banned or challenged book of their choice at the library from 5-8p to draw attention to the problem of censorship.
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982 according to the American Library Association. There were 311 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2014, and many more go unreported. Among the ten most challenged titles of 2014 according to the ALA was The Bluest Eye, by local author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize and Presidential Medal of Freedom, Toni Morrison.
The all time list of most banned books include classics like Of Mice and Men, Charlotte’s Web, Winnie The Pooh, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby.
Here’s the 2014 Top 10 list of Challenged Books according to the American Library Association.
| The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie |
Reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Additional reasons: “depictions of bullying” |
| Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi |
Reasons: gambling, offensive language, political viewpoint. Additional reasons: “politically, racially, and socially offensive,” “graphic depictions” |
| And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell |
Reasons: Anti-family, homosexuality, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “promotes the homosexual agenda” |
| The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison |
Reasons: Sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “contains controversial issues” |
| It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris |
Reasons: Nudity, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group. Additional reasons: “alleges child pornography” |
| Saga by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples |
Reasons: Anti-Family, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group. |
| The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini |
Reasons: Offensive language, unsuited to age group, violence |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky |
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, homosexuality, offensive language, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group. Additional reasons: “date rape and masturbation” |
| A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard |
Reasons: drugs/alcohol/smoking, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group |
| Drama by Raina Telgemeier |
Reasons: sexually explicit |
Here’s the week at a glance
at the Nyack Library.
Monday
- Play and Learn in Italian/Gioca e Impara in Italiano, 11:30a
- FREE Assistance with NYS Health Insurance Programs, 5p
Tuesday
- Cuentos, Canciones y Artesania, 1p
- Banned Books Week Read-Out, 5p
- Choosing the Right College – for Parents and Students, Registration required, 7p
Wednesday
- Computer Basics – Library Applications, Registration required, 10a
- SAT and ACT Reading Passages: Skills, Drills, and Strategy, Registration required, 4p
Thursday
Little Shanti Yoga, Registration required, 1:30p
Friday
Toddler Time, 11a
Saturday
- BOOK SALE – Sponsored by the Friends of the Nyack Library, 10a – 4:30p
- Magic: The Gathering Independent Play, Registration required, 1p
Sunday
- BOOK SALE – Sponsored by the Friends of the Nyack Library, 12p – 5p
- Study Sundays w/Ms. Siobhan, 12p
Also this week at The Nyack Library:
Choosing the Right College for Parents and Students, Tue at 7p
You will learn how to search for the right college, when to visit them, fill out college applications and how to write that perfect essay! In addition, you will find out which test to take, the SAT or the ACT and how to get financial aid & scholarships. Registration is required.
Couponing 102 with Tracie McLee, Thurs at 7p
You’ve got the basics! You’ve secured a few deals and now you’re hooked. Tracie is back to teach more ways to seriously save. Attendance at the first presentation is not necessary, but if you did attend, come back and tell us how you’ve done! Registration is required.
Have a question or a fun fact you want to know? We’re looking for suggestions for our weekly Did You Know fact. Write to info@NyackNewsAndViews with your suggestions.
Did You Know comes to you each Monday on NyackNewAndViews, sponsored by the Nyack Library.
