Banned Books Week:
The Library Strikes Back
From September 28 October 1, Concord University participated in national Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week is an event sponsored every year by the American Library Association to promote the reading of challenged and banned material across America.
According to the event’s official website, the event is designed to celebrate the free and open access to information. It is designed to bring all kinds of people, from readers to teachers to publishers to librarians to journalists, together in support of the right to express thoughts and ideas, no matter how unorthodox or unpopular they might be. Censorship and banning of books remains an issue that many Americans face, and over the years, many books have been banned in this country for one reason or another. According to the website, the most widely banned book in the United States last year was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Books such as this are promoted during Banned Books Week to encourage the sharing of ideas rather than stifling them.
In the past, Concord University’s library has celebrated Banned Books Week with a certain amount of gusto. This year was no exception, though the theme used this time was quite different. The theme this year was Star Wars, and the library was decorated accordingly. Star Wars memorabilia decorated the front desk, which included a life size cardboard cutouts of an Imperial Storm Trooper and the character Boba Fett. In addition to the décor, there were poster board graphs with information about some of the most frequently challenged books in the country. If all of that wasn’t enough, the library created and released a YouTube video depicting the staff of the library in typical movie trailer fashion fighting with lightsabers and encouraging the viewer to defy the will of the Empire, join the Rebellion, and read a banned book.
According to Doug Moore, I.T Specialist and the one who came up with this year’s theme, they decided on a Star Wars theme to mix it up a little more fun.
“It’s easily accessible,” he said, “For several years we’ve done a more serious tone with banned books. We did a George Orwell theme a few years ago, and last year we incorporated the campus police with the mugshot board and everything, and I actually got some hate mail about I was trampling on people’s First Amendment rights to speak because they thought that we were really banning books! They didn’t really read the entire email where we say that these things happen, this what goes on across the country, and they took it too literal. So we had people sneaking by with their cellphones taking pictures of the cage I’ve got and things like that. This is more for you guys as a celebration of your right to read. By and large all over the country, this happens. Books are challenged and some are successfully banned in school districts and counties. In 2010, they even had a county in California ban the Webster’s Dictionary 10th Edition because it had a sexual definition or something in it. It was returned, but for two or three months, it was effectively banned. I tried to put together a few things about some of the most commonly challenged books and even why you should read it.” According to him, Star Wars is just an easy way to get people to realize that books can be banned rather than making it look like they are being banned.
Anyone that would like to know more about Banned Books Week and to learn more about American's right to read and the challenges to that right is encouraged to visit The American Library Association’s official website.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More The Concordian News Articles
- Noam Chomsky Talks about Inequality
- CU Annual Career Fair
- Graham High School Visit
- Easy Writing Tips and Tricks
Recent The Concordian News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THE CONCORDIAN
"Bohemian Rhapsody" Will Rock You By Laura Buchanan
"Fallout 76": A Small State in a Big Game By Caleb Zopp
"Girl in the Spider's Web": A Must-See for Men and Women By Savannah Cooper
"The Grinch": More Science Than Art By Shannon C. White
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE CONCORDIAN NEWS
- Campus Carry Bill Receives Opposition from College Leaders
- "Bohemian Rhapsody" Will Rock You
- "Fallout 76": A Small State in a Big Game
- "Girl in the Spider's Web": A Must-See for Men and Women
- "The Grinch": More Science Than Art
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Spreads on College Campuses
- Concord Senior Oral Frazier Signs Book Deal
RECENT THE CONCORDIAN CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK