Banned Books Week

Books such as "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", "The Catcher in the Rye" and "To Kill a Mockingbird" may not be available in some libraries.

Since 1990, the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom has recorded more than 10,000 book challenges, including 513 in 2008. A challenge is a formal, written complaint requesting a book be removed from library shelves or school curriculum.

Most challenges are unsuccessful. The most challenged and/or restricted reading materials have been books for children. Challenges are an attempt to remove materials from public use, thereby restricting the access of others.

Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has reminded us that while not every book in intended for every reader, each of us has the right to decide for ourselves what to read, listen to or view.

Come to the Greensboro Free Library and see our collection of books banned in 2008-2009. Borrow one and see if you agree with why it was challenged.