Another day, another ridiculous book challenge

Today's installment concerns The Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. CBS News reports that it was challenged at one school because it "encourages children to break dishes so they won't have to dry them." Further, it was outright banned in 1986 at another elementary school because the poems "glorified Satan, suicide and cannibalism, and also encouraged children to be disobedient." (cbsnews.com). What was going on with parents in the 1980s?

On banning books and other absurdities

Next week is the American Library Association's banned books week; an event that is designed to highlight just how often books are still challenged or outright banned in this country as well as to celebrate our right to read.  In the next few days I will share with you some of the absurd reasons books have been challenged or banned in this country.

First up is The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.  "In 1983, four members of the Alabama Textbook Commission wanted to reject the title for use in the schools because it was 'a real downer.'" (Karolides, Bald & Sova, 2005). Another reason the book has been challenged have been because a parent objected "to the discussion of 'the mistreatment of the Jewish people.'" (Karolides, Bald & Sova, 2005). Yes, that's right, someone objected to a Jewish girl recording the mistreatment she and others endured before perishing in the Holocaust simply because they were Jewish. Finally, in 1982 parents in Wise County, Virginia, challenged the book because Anne's criticism on her mother "undermines adult authority." (Karolides, Bald & Sova, 2005). A teen aged girl complained about her mother in her private diary. Oh no. What a shocking and terrible thing! (Where is a sarcasm font when you need one?)

Now, both of the dates of these challenges were quite a long time ago. This does not mean challenges have stopped. On the contrary, while Banned Books Week was started in 1982 due to an uptick in challenges at libraries, schools and bookstores, (www.bannedbooksweek.org) banners are still hard at work, getting offended over the slightest provocation.  Interestingly enough books with diverse characters have been the most recent target of challenges with nine of the top ten most challenged books for 2015-2016 having diverse content and eight six of the top one hundred also having diverse content.  (www.ala.org) What do we mean by diverse content? Written and/or about people of color, LGBT people, people with disabilities or a combination of these. 

Stay tuned for some more interesting facts about banned books and check out the ALA's webpage on banned books for more information and what you can do to prevent book challenges turning into bans (the removal of the challenged item). ALA Banned Books

Upcoming Library Events

We're sorry you couldn't join us for our Library Out Loud session on Summon this past Tuesday. There were far too many cookies left over, and while my mouth is happy, we are all disappointed that more of you weren't able to attend. We have another Library Out Loud scheduled for October 9th where we will highlight some of our favorite databases and discuss citations, an important topic that all students would benefit from brushing up on.

Also on the agenda on October 30th is a screening of Carnival of Souls in honor of Halloween. Carnival of Souls is a cult classic horror film and while the exact time is yet to be determined I can tell you it will be in the Rotary Center for Global Studies.

Last, but not least, the library will have a booth at the CCC Fall Fest again this year.  It is going to be on October 26th in the gym area with times also not fully determined.  Stop by and see the amazing pumpkin bean bag toss that our fantastic carpentry department made for us!

All in all it is shaping up to be a jam filled month.  Of course, you're welcome to stop by the library any time we are open, for any reason, and we hope you will.