The Real Restricted Section: Saving 'Undesirable' and Banned Books
Theme:
PP3
What:
Presentation
When:
1:00 PM, Friday 1 Aug 2014 EDT
(40 minutes)
Where:
What do Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, Huckleberry Finn, Atticus Finch, and Holden Caulfield have in common, aside from being among the most beloved and influential literary characters? Answer: If a small group of people had their way, you never would have heard of them.
Despite the modern times we live in, the Restricted Section is very much a real place, and books are disappearing from shelves and out of the hands of young readers due to complaints about the content, the author, and other issues. This presentation will share key topics such as the differences between “challenged,” “banned,” and “restricted” and what these concepts mean for books. Learn about the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and how libraries are trying to uphold their positions as gatekeepers to information for all patrons. Most importantly, find out why books like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and countless others are still on the chopping block in many libraries—and what we can do about it before it is too late.
Despite the modern times we live in, the Restricted Section is very much a real place, and books are disappearing from shelves and out of the hands of young readers due to complaints about the content, the author, and other issues. This presentation will share key topics such as the differences between “challenged,” “banned,” and “restricted” and what these concepts mean for books. Learn about the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and how libraries are trying to uphold their positions as gatekeepers to information for all patrons. Most importantly, find out why books like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and countless others are still on the chopping block in many libraries—and what we can do about it before it is too late.
