Free to Read

While the American Library Associations official Banned Books Week (Sept. 25-Oct. 2, 2010) is over, I just got around to putting up a banned books display in the library. There are hundreds of books that have been challenged or even banned over the years. These include beloved classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird", and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", and bestselling juvenile series like Junie B. Jones, Captain Underpants, and Harry Potter.

If you are interested in seeing all the titles on the list, or in knowing why that particular title was banned, please check out the link below.
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/index.cfm

I am thankful for the librarians, educators, and community members who have fought against restrictions of our First Amendment rights. Our libraries need to represent a wide range of viewpoints.

As a parent, I respect other parents who decide what their children should or should not read, however, I don't want other parents or community members deciding what my child reads. I also want to take a moment to thank my own parents who never restricted my reading choices. In my opinion, people who are exposed to more viewpoints tend to be more open-minded.

What does it mean to be open-minded? I like the following definition of an open-minded person:
"An open-minded person is someone who is willing to consider ideas, opinions and arguments purely on their merit. If an idea can be shown to be correct then an open-minded person will alter, or add to, their world-view with this new-found knowledge. If the new idea does not stand up to scrutiny however, it will be rejected."

The library is a place full of ideas, opinions and arguments. Some ideas I agree with, some ideas I do not, but I would fight for the right for them to be here for everybody to consider.

I am thankful I live in a country where I am free to read!