Category: Stand For the Banned
40 Virtual Program Ideas for Banned Books Week
This year’s Banned Books Week (September 27 – October 3) will look different. Here are 40 ideas on how to celebrate virtually, on social media, and maintaining social distance.
A Brief History of Time–Banned for Being Unethical?
As we were selecting the book, I came across a news article sent to me by Kristin Pekoll, Assistant Director of OIF about a school in Oregon that had banned the book along with nine other titles, including the dictionary, during the 2015-2016 school year https://theroguenews.com/19251/arts-enter/banned-books-at-ashland-high-school/
The reason listed next to Hawkins’ A Brief History of Time was “unethical context.”
Why We Still Need Banned Books Week
However, I’d argue that one of the reasons our country doesn’t experience these dangerous laws is because of the perpetuation of the importance of intellectual freedom by hardworking librarians. I believe the reason we have access to and the freedom to read all books, even controversial ones, is, in part, because of awareness campaigns like Banned Books Week.
OIF and Intellectual Freedom in Chicago
ALA’s 2017 Annual Conference is in Windy City Chicago and the Office for Intellectual Freedom will be there staffing the different committee meetings and programs. Committee meetings and programs are open to any attendee, and they’re often a good way to learn about the business of ALA and its intellectual freedom initiatives.