Free People Read Freely

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Begun in 1982, this American Library Association event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom lightly. "Not every book will be right for every person, but the right to choose what we read is a freedom we cannot afford to take for granted," states Judith Platt of the Association of American Publishers' Freedom to Read program. If you want to learn more about the American Library Association and book challenges in the United States, go to www.ala.org/bbooks. Judy Blume, a prolific author of books for youth and adults, has been frequently challenged on her content. Check out her web site, http://judyblume.com/censors.html, to get her perspective on banning books. Try reading a banned book this week and come into the Library for a handout too!