Come to Our Read Out!

 

The public is urged to come by the library on Oct. 4 from 12 noon until 3 pm to participate in a Read Out! celebrating our freedom to read during Banned Books Week.

 

The week of Sept. 29 – Oct. 6 marks the 26th annual recognition of every American’s right to read whatever he wants.

 

Despite this long-cherished right, there are those who would deny others access to literature they deem “inappropriate” or “obscene.”

 

The American Library Association tracks these challenges: 546 times last year formal complaints were filed with libraries or schools demanding that specific books be removed from collections.

 

Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s award-winning And Tango Makes Three, about two male penguins parenting an egg from a mixed-sex penguin couple, topped the list of most challenged books in 2006 by parents and administrators, due to the issues of homosexuality.

 

The list of most often banned books also features two books by author Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye and Beloved are on the list due to sexual content and offensive language.

 

Members of the public are welcome to drop by the first floor at the Main Library to read out loud from a large pile of banned books. Staff members will be distributing bookmarks and answering questions. Since reading out loud tends to dry the throat, there will be beverages offered to those who participate. For questions or to claim a specific reading time period call 528-5700.