Did you know that the American Library Association (ALA) has an Office for Intellectual Freedom that tracks the books that are challenged by people at public, school, and university libraries? In 2018, there were 347 challenges to library materials totaling 483 books challenged or banned that year.
Here are some items that have been challenged over the years:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
Reason: sexually explicit
In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak
Reasons: nudity, offensive
language, sexually explicit
The Holy Bible
Reasons: religious viewpoint
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: banned and challenged because it was
deemed “anti-cop,” and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Reason: challenged and burned for including
LGBTQIA+ content
Join Olin Library in celebrating Banned Books Week by attending Banned Book Read Out on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 from noon-2pm on the Rice Family Lawn. FREE PIZZA!