Banned Books Week, 9/28-10/2

"Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read" was instituted by the American Library Association in 1982 to emphasize the importance of intellectual democracy. The two guiding principles are: "the freedom to choose books, and the freedom to express one’s opinion, even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular." The annual celebration, endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, is routed in the first Amendment to the Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Although "objectionable" books continue to be removed from bookstores, libraries, and schools in many cities and states, reading material remains widely accessible through the dedicated efforts of parents, teachers, librarians, and other citizens. Join the Gottesman Libraries in exploring the educational controversy and implications of censorship through a variety of activities, including an early kick-off Socratic conversation:

• Where Do You Stand on Freedom of Speech? A Socratic conversation with Ron Gross, author of Socrates Way, Thursday, 9/17, 4-5pm, Second Floor Salon;



• Freedom of Speech, a news display, Monday, 9/28 – Friday, 10/2, Everett Cafe;



• Exhibit of the Most Frequently Challenged Books, Second Floor;



• Slideshows of Banned Books and Teachers College Voices of Advocacy (coming soon).