Banned Book Week brings conversation about censorship

What do “The Great Gatsby,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “1984” all have in common? They were all banned from school reading lists at one point.

This week is National Banned Books Week, and the American Library Association says banning books or trying to get books banned from school readings lists is a form of censorship.

“This week is about the freedom to read and to make your own choices,” said Jamie Bair, circulation supervisor and outreach coordinator at the Marshall Public Library. “As an individual, you’re capable of deciding for yourself what is and is not appropriate for you.”

Bair said parents should definitely have a say in what their kids read, but said it’s not right to ban the books so no one else can read them. She said if anything, reading a book you find disagrees with your beliefs or morals with your child could actually be a great way to educate them and discuss beliefs.

Some of the more current books that have been banned are the Harry Potter series, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and, one of the most challenged books this year, “The Hunger Games.”

Bair said it’s very rare that books get banned from public libraries. She said anyone can file a complaint about a book. That’s when the library’s board of trustees looks at the issue and decides what course of action to take.

“The goal is never to ban a book,” Bair said. “We want to keep it available to people, but we do have those avenues for people that feel they have an opinion that needs to be heard.”

Bair said books are categorized for a reason. She said the book “50 Shades of Grey” is certainly geared toward adults, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for all adults. She said when in doubt, discuss your tastes with your librarian, who will be able to help you pick books more to your liking.

“It’s your freedom to read,” Bair said. “You get to choose what you read, what you like and what you don’t like.”

The ALA says the most common complaints about books are that they’re sexually explicit, have offensive language or are not suited to their audience. The most likely person to submit a complaint is a parent.

To find out if a book you like has been banned, or to see the top books that have been challenged, follow this link to the American Library Association’s website: ala.org/bbooks/banned.