What is it?
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 to respond to the sudden number of challenges to books in schools, stores, and libraries. Banning or challenging a book means that a person or group attempted (or succeeded) to remove material from a curriculum or library. This is a threat to the First Amendment and the freedom of speech.
Why were books challenged or banned?
There could be any number of reasons that items are deemed controversial. The Office Intellectual Freedom found the top three reasons were that material was sexually explicit, had offensive language, or "unsuited to any age group."
What books were banned?
Probably some of your favorites! Catcher in the Rye, Catch-22, The Great Gatsby, To Kill A Mockingbird... among others.
Southwest Florida College is proud to hold some of these challenged classics at our libraries. We hope you will advocate the freedom to choose and the enjoyment of reading.
