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Banned Books

Guide to Banned Books Week which celebrates the freedom to read and highlights frequently challenged or banned books.

About Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to ensure free access to information.

What's the difference between a challenge and a banning?

  • challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.
  • 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.  Due to the commitment of librarians, teachers, parents, students and other concerned citizens, most challenges are unsuccessful and most materials are retained in the school curriculum or library collection.

 

"About Banned & Challenged Books", American Library Association, December 10, 2012.

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/aboutbannedbooks

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