UST Libraries will join thousands of libraries and bookstores across the nation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week Oct. 1 through 5. Since its inception in 1982, Banned Books Week has promoted the idea that while not every book is intended for every reader, each person has the right to decide what to read, listen to or view.
According to Barbara Jones, director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom: “Protecting one of our most fundamental rights – the freedom to read – means respecting each other’s differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read.”
Throughout the week the university’s libraries will observe Banned Books Week with displays in the O’Shaughnessy-Frey Library, updates on the UST Libraries Facebook page and an informative UST Banned Books Week website that will link to other libraries, articles and videos that focus on issues of intellectual freedom.
Also returning is the popular Banned Books Week trivia contest (posted on the UST Banned Books website). Test your knowledge each day of the week with a new question about a famous or infamous work of literature. Each day’s winner will be selected randomly from among those with the correct answers and will receive a $5 gift certificate to the UST Bookstore or a popular banned book.