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National Banned Books Week to be Celebrated on the Library Plaza

September 22, 2016 – Who would have ever guessed that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was once a banned book? In support of the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week, The University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library will host a Banned Books Open Reading on Monday, September 26, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on the library plaza.

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Huck Finn is just one of many classic titles that has been banned or challenged over the years. The Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby are other examples. And the lists are longer than you might guess, with titles ranging from children’s books, to classics, fiction, and nonfiction.

Why are books banned? Often books are banned or challenged with the notion of protecting a segment of society; many times the intent is to keep children from exposure to difficult or potentially harmful material. In fact, “Captain Underpants” is one children’s book that has been challenged over the years.

“It’s very important that intellectual freedom remains at the forefront of our national dialogue,” comments Alberta Comer, Dean of the Marriott Library and University Librarian. “While we understand the motives around censorship are often based on the best of intentions, we simply must abide by the First Amendment in providing open access for all.”

This event is meant to remind us of the importance of free and open access to information of all types. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to read a passage from any book or play that has been banned or challenged at one time.

Katharine Coles, Ph.D., professor of English at the U and former Poet Laureate of Utah, is this year’s featured speaker. Dr. Coles will read from a selected book that has been challenged or banned at some point in history. She will be reading at 11:00 AM. Students and members of the public are invited to read from one of their favorite banned books until 1:00 PM.

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Who:         University of Utah students, faculty, staff, community at large

What:        Banned Books Open Reading in celebration of Banned Books Week

Where:      University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library, East Plaza

   295 S. 1500 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84112

            Directions: http://www.lib.utah.edu/info/directions.php

When:      Monday, Sept. 26, 2015, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Why:         To demonstrate the importance of intellectual freedom in a free and open society

1 Comment
  • Miranda Green
    Posted at 11:13h, 27 February Reply

    Gatsby wants all the good that American life offers: the beautiful (to him) perfect woman, the wealth, the satisfaction of having created it himself. He wants to realize the possibilities of America for living a happy, fulfilled life, which is the American dream.

    However, the dream has been corrupted by the society that created it. It has been compromised by short cuts, by shallowness, and by the imperfect nature of those who have been granted the wealth others seek–both in the book and in 21st century America.

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