Briggs Banned Books Reading tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945 2011-09-08T15:22:39Z Movable Type 4.31-en Briggs Library Banned Books Reading tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2008:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945.142748 2008-09-16T15:26:54Z 2008-09-22T21:56:39Z Did you know that there were 420 formal challenges to books in school and public libraries last year? And that was only the ones that were reported. The actual number was probably 4-5 times higher. Come celebrate intellectual freedom by... Peter Bremer Did you know that there were 420 formal challenges to books in school and public libraries last year? And that was only the ones that were reported. The actual number was probably 4-5 times higher. Come celebrate intellectual freedom by attending the Briggs Library Banned Books Reading Event on Tuesday, September 30 in the library McGinnis Room from 7:30 pm-9:00 pm.

Each year since 1982 the American Library Association has sponsored Banned Books Week in an effort to educate the public about the freedom to read. Between 1990 and 2000 there were 6,364 challenges reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom, most of them from school and public libraries. Reasons vary for why an item is challenged in a attempt to be banned but the top ones include sexually explicit material, offensive language, unsuited to age group, occult themes, violence, homosexuality and the promotion of a religious viewpoint. Challenges are often motivated by a desire to protect children from inappropriate material. ALA maintains, however, "that parents--and only parents--have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children--and only their children--to library resources."

Don't take first amendment rights and reading choice for granted. Make your own voice heard by attending the Banned Books Reading Event. Hear excerpts from banned books through the years. It's all part of the ALA's annual Banned Books Week Sept. 27-Oct. 4. If you would like to be a reader please contact Kate Novotny by email. The event is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta and Briggs Library.

Challenged and Banned Books (ALA)

]]> Why Banned Books Week? tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2008:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945.142771 2008-09-16T16:39:27Z 2008-09-16T16:44:54Z Each year since 1982 the American Library Association has sponsored Banned Books Week in an effort to educate the public about the freedom to read. Between 1990 and 2000 there were 6,364 challenges reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom,... Peter Bremer Each year since 1982 the American Library Association has sponsored Banned Books Week in an effort to educate the public about the freedom to read. Between 1990 and 2000 there were 6,364 challenges reported by the Office for Intellectual Freedom, most of them from school and public libraries. Reasons vary for why an item is challenged in a attempt to be banned but the top ones include sexually explicit material, offensive language, unsuited to age group, occult themes, violence, homosexuality and the promotion of a religious viewpoint. Challenges are often motivated by a desire to protect children from inappropriate material. ALA maintains, however, "that parents--and only parents--have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children--and only their children--to library resources."

Come support first amendment rights and reading choice. Attend the Banned Books Reading Event in the Briggs Library McGinnis Room on Tuesday, September 30 from 7:30-9:00 pm and hear excerpts from banned books through the years. If you would like to be a reader please contact Kate Novotny by email. The event is sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta and Briggs Library.

Frequently Challenged Books

]]> Discussion 1 tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2008:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945.142975 2008-09-17T14:46:13Z 2008-09-17T15:27:45Z Why do individuals attempt to ban a book from a school or public library instead of simply not reading it themselves or instructing their children not to read it? Recently a picture book titled And Tango Makes Three by Peter... Peter Bremer Why do individuals attempt to ban a book from a school or public library instead of simply not reading it themselves or instructing their children not to read it? Recently a picture book titled And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson made a big splash and a bit of controversy as well. Tango is a penguin with two daddies. Besides getting rave reviews the book also took the top spot as being the most challenged book in 2007. What are your thoughts about the book?

Librarians, especially those in public and school libraries, are on the front line in the freedom to read war. If a library doesn't order a book or put it on the shelf then a book is effectively banned before anyone has had a chance to even crack the cover. It's not easy. There is a lot of incentive to play it safe and avoid the controversial. Sometimes fighting the good fight can be a lonely business. In my earlier professional life I was a media specialist for a school district. I tried to do what I thought was in the best interests of the children I was servicing. I certainly wasn't perfect and I wasn't always as brave as I wanted to be, but I always thought of the kids first. That's probably why a high school teacher checked out Forever by Judy Blume from the school library and then never returned it because they thought it was inappropriate.

Sometimes book challenges can be positive experiences. The only formal challenge I've ever had to deal with occurred at an elementary school. A parent had a concern over the illustrations in an older edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that to her depicted the oompa loompas in a racist light. What did I do? I bought a more modern, newer edition of the book that would be more attractive to students and thanked her for bringing it to my attention. And yes, I removed the older, worn out title from the shelf.

Do you think there is ever a situation that warrants banning a book or other item from a library?

]]> Support the Freedom to Read tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945.189484 2009-09-01T20:03:26Z 2009-09-01T20:08:02Z Did you know there were 513 challenges to books in libraries and schools across the U.S. in 2008 resulting in a myriad of items being removed from shelves? What worse, that's just the tip of the iceberg since 70-80% of... Peter Bremer Did you know there were 513 challenges to books in libraries and schools across the U.S. in 2008 resulting in a myriad of items being removed from shelves? What worse, that's just the tip of the iceberg since 70-80% of challenges go unreported.

Support everyone's freedom to read what they want to by attending the Banned Books Reading sponsored by Briggs Library and Sigma Tau Delta. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 29 from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm in the library McGinnis Room. Individuals will be reading from banned or challenged books. Everyone is invited to participate or simply to listen. If you are interested in being a reader at the event or would like more information about the Banned Books Reading please contact Peter Bremer at 589-6173.

]]> Banned Books Event 2010 tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945.249166 2010-09-22T18:55:00Z 2010-09-22T19:01:41Z Come support the freedom to read! The Rodney A. Briggs Library and Sigma Tau Delta student organization at the University of Minnesota, Morris will sponsor a Banned Books Event on Thursday, September 30, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the McGinnis... Peter Bremer Come support the freedom to read! The Rodney A. Briggs Library and Sigma Tau Delta student organization at the University of Minnesota, Morris will sponsor a Banned Books Event on Thursday, September 30, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the McGinnis Room. The event, scheduled during the American Library Association's Banned Books Week, will include readings of excerpts from banned or challenged books.

From 2001-2009 there were 4,312 challenges in American libraries. Books like To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye, The Color Purple, The Kite Runner, the Harry Potter series and the Twilight books are challenged every day. Some of them are pulled from library shelves. The Banned Books event will spotlight banned or challenged books by having individuals read excerpts from them. A discussion on censorship will follow the readings.

Banned Books Week is observed during the last week of September each year. Begun in 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this democratic freedom for granted. The public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

]]> Banned Books Reading 2011 tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2011:/pbremer/briggsbannedbooks//8945.306993 2011-09-08T15:21:57Z 2011-09-08T15:22:39Z Come support the freedom to read! The Rodney A. Briggs Library and Sigma Tau Delta student organization at the University of Minnesota, Morris will sponsor a Banned Books Event on Monday, September 26, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the McGinnis... Peter Bremer Come support the freedom to read! The Rodney A. Briggs Library and Sigma Tau Delta student organization at the University of Minnesota, Morris will sponsor a Banned Books Event on Monday, September 26, 2010, at 7 p.m. in the McGinnis Room. The event, scheduled during the American Library Association's Banned Books Week, will include readings of excerpts from banned or challenged books. Afterward an informal discussion on censorship will take place. The public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

If you would like to be a reader at the Banned Books Reading please contact Sara Butterfass at butt0177@morris.umn.edu.

From 2000-2010 there were 5,306 challenges in American libraries. Books like To Kill a Mockingbird, Catcher in the Rye, The Color Purple, The Kite Runner, the Harry Potter series, the Twilight books and The Hunger Games are challenged every day. Some of them are pulled from library shelves.

Banned Books Week is observed during the last week of September each year. Begun in 1982, the ALA annual event reminds Americans not to take this democratic freedom for granted.

Why Are Books Challenged?



Top 100 Challenged Books 2000-2009



Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010

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