Libraries
Banned Books Week Celebrated in WIU Libraries
University Libraries are pleased to announce that the 9th annual 鈥淏anned and Determined鈥� reading of banned and challenged books will take place on Tuesday, September 27th, at 7 PM in the Malpass Library Garden Lounge.
This event, held during the American Library Association鈥檚 yearly Banned Books Week observance, will feature readings from books that people have attempted to have removed from schools and libraries. The official theme of this year鈥檚 Banned Books Week is diversity 鈥� this is fitting, as it is estimated that over half of all challenged books are by or about diverse people, according to the Banned Books Week website. The definition of diversity used is from the work of author Malinda Lo, and refers to 鈥渘on-white main and/or secondary characters; LGBT main and/or secondary characters; disabled main and/or secondary characters; issues about race or racism; LGBT issues; issues about religion, which encompass in this situation the Holocaust and terrorism; issues about disability and/or mental illness; [and] non-春雨直播 settings, in which the West is North America and Europe.鈥�
鈥淲ith such a long list of things that could label a book 鈥榙iverse,鈥� it may surprise some people that so few of these books actually appear in libraries and on best seller lists, but it鈥檚 true,鈥� says Christina Norton, outreach librarian. 鈥淒iverse books make up a small percentage of most school and library collections, but represent more than half of books that are challenged in those spaces.鈥� Norton adds that the readings this year will highlight these diverse voices, and allow attendees to engage in discussions on the value of diversity in books.
This event will be free and open to the public. For more information, contact Krista Bowers Sharpe at ka-bowers-sharpe@wiu.edu.