What is a banned book? There are two phrases you should know--challenged and banned. According to the American Library Association: "A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials. Challenges do not simply involve a person expressing a point of view; rather, they are an attempt to remove material from the curriculum or library, thereby restricting the access of others." (retrieved from the ALA Website 8.28.2009 at http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm.
I truly understand that people feel there are some things out there that are inappropriate as reading material based on age, sex, religion or other beliefs. However, that does not give them the right to restrict other peoples' access to those items, ideas or philosophies. A well educated child can make an educated choice. The only way the child is educated is by being allowed to read A LOT of different material. The good parent then discusses that material with the child and presents all sides of the issue.
This country is based on freedom--freedom of religion, freedom of thought and freedom of speech. These are GUARANTEED in our United States' Constitution and involve an act of Congress, literally, to change them. For 200+ years, this country has existed and succeeded in the global market because of our guaranteed freedoms. Other countries' people flock to our shores for those freedoms. I don't stomp on yours. Please don't stomp on mine.
One of the grounding principles of libraries is democracy. Democracy does not exist without freedoms and particularly for libraries, intellectual freedom. Analytically, there is no democracy without free thinking. There is no literacy without access to knowledge and information. There is no rationalism without knowledge, literacy and democracy. The foundations these values create also create a free thinking and forward moving society. It’s a wonderful thing to learn virtually unimpeded. However, because of these possibilities, there is also the possibility someone will not like others to think or learn certain concepts/beliefs/ideas. Thus, censorship is also inherent in these particular values. Freedom also comes with limits imposed by others and leads to a need for privacy.
The American Library Association believes so strongly in our intellectual freedom, guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, that they developed a Library Bill of Rights. Every library in American strives to abide by these rights to serve their communities.
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; amended June 28, 1967; amended January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 24, 1996.
A history of the Library Bill of Rights is found in the latest edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual
Hear, hear for libraries and the right to read, listen to, watch, or say whatever we would like in this country!! Libraries are a true bastion of knowledge and learning. Without learning our future is bleak. New ideas will never come to fruition and we will slowly stagnate in the global arena. I challenge you to read a banned book today and every month for the rest of your life.
KNOW : READ : SPEAK
