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Banned Books Week is an awareness campaign promoted by the American Library Association and Amnesty International that celebrates our freedom to read and brings attention to the fact that books are still challenged and banned around the country. It began in 1982 and has been held annually ever since.

This year, we recognize Banned Books Week from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3.

We believe that banning books is censorship. It is important to be aware that challenges continue to happen in 2020. Burbank School District in California right now is considering whether or not to remove some books from their school curriculum. You may have heard of these books. They include To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry FinnThe Cay and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. This is just one example of many efforts to censor materials.

As a matter of policy, NCW Libraries endorse the principles in the Library Bill of Rightsopens PDF file  and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library AssociationFurthermore, NCW Libraries believe that “reading, listening to, and viewing library materials are individual, private matters” and that it is wrong to censor, to “restrict the freedom of others to read, view or inquire.”

Join us this week in recognizing the power and importance of reading (and listening and viewing!) freely, each according to our own wishes.

Anne Brangwin, Book Clubs Manager, and Betsey Stahler, Collections Development Manager

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