Test your knowledge. Have you read The Bible, The Koran, a Harry Potter book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or The Hunger Games? Have authors such as Shakespeare, Raymond Carver, Ralph Ellison, Beverly Cleary, E.B. White, Neil Gaiman, Ann Pachett or Sherman Alexie been part of your life? Congratulations! You’re among those who have read a challenged or banned book or author.
Banned Book Week runs until Friday, October 2. During this time, the Canisius College librarians invite you to explore the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library’s print and electronic resources. Hiding in plain sight on our shelves are hundreds of resources that have been challenged or banned. “For what?” you ask. Somewhere in this country, and many others too, libraries and educational institutions are regularly challenged on the content, thought, language, artistic expression, belief and even the materials from which these resources are made (ex. leather).
Since librarians worldwide advocate for intellectual freedom and the freedom to read anything, your Canisius College librarians take time each fall to join colleagues in the American Library Association’s Banned Book Week commemoration as a gateway to promote tolerance. This is a time to consider intellectual freedom and it’s opposite—censorship—as they relate to your reading.
Two special programs remain this week:
Today, Oct. 1, Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Why, How and What Now? The Case of Banned Chicano Literature in Arizona Public Schools. Sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society with support from the Modern Languages Department.
Friday, October 2, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dear Mr. Potter: You Changed My Life. Letters to Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and magical readings (to put a spell on you). Concocted by the students of Griff 101S – Hogwarts at Canisius!
Events will take place on the library’s main floor. All programs are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Kathleen DeLaney, archivist and special collections librarian at delaneyk@canisius.edu or Ext. 8421.
More information and reading lists are available these sponsor sites: American Library Association (ALA) http://www.ala.org/bbooks/bannedbooksweek or American Booksellers for Free Expression http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/node/8256
Submitted by: Kathleen DeLaney, archivist/reference librarian
