Celebrate freedom to read during Banned Books Week
Librarians and readers celebrate Banned Books Week (BBW) September 26 - October 3, 2009. Observed since 1982, this event reminds Americans not to take for granted our First Amendment right to free expression. BBW celebrates the freedom to choose and the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular.
Challenged or banned titles include The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, The Color Purple, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, and hundreds of others criticized for their political or religious viewpoint, offensive language, and other reasons.
The American Library Association leads this annual celebration of banned books to emphasize the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.
Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress., field_56ba6f8fdb00c