Banned Books and The Diary of Anne Frank

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At the American Library Association national conference I learned more about the effort to raise awareness of the many efforts in the U.S. to ban books. I was dismayed to find that too many communities in the U.S. have prevented  access to many books that are deemed “unsuitable.”

Conference attendees selected their favorite books from childhood. I chose The Diary of Anne Frank and reading a random passage aloud reminded me of how much I had been and am still moved by this heroine’s story. Despite  our drastically different circumstances I related to Anne’s teenage angst.

From the ALA website:

“Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Check out the frequently challenged books section to explore the issues and controversies around book challenges and book banning. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.”

What can you do? Here are some suggestions you can act on to raise awareness and fight the banning of books in our country. Make your voice heard.

 

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