KU News Release

KU Libraries to host banned books 'read out'

LAWRENCE -- Sections of banned books will be read aloud Thursday, Oct. 4, on the University of Kansas campus to commemorate the American Libraries Association's annual Banned Books Week.

KU Libraries will host the “read out” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on the north side of Wescoe Hall, commonly known as Wescoe Beach. KU faculty, staff and student volunteers will read passages from their favorite banned books.

Banned Books Week, observed by the American Libraries Association (ALA) since 1982, celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion, even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. The ALA also stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

“As both a parent and a librarian, I've seen firsthand the struggles surrounding banned books,” said Susanne Clement, head of collection development for KU Libraries. “In both cases, it's incredibly important to keep an open mind and avoid the tendency to self censor. While we may not always agree with a particular author, the First Amendment protects that author's right to publish and a reader's right to view.”

Banned and challenged books include classics such as Mark Twain's “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and Harper Lee's “To Kill a Mockingbird.” More recently, the Harry Potter series has undergone scrutiny. For more about banned and challenged books, please visit www.lib.ku.edu/bannedbooks.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.