Happy Banned Books Week everyone! As an avid reader & library lover (and someone who works in a library), this week is very important to me. I have been working for the past several weeks with colleagues to coordinate displays and events that would raise awareness about censorship in today's society so this is a topic that has been at the forefront of my mind and daily responsibilities.

Topping the Top 10 Banned Books of 2012 list is the Captain Underpants series. Can you believe it -- a freaking children's book!? Reasons cited for the challenge includes offensive language and unsuitable for the age group. I assume that many of the conversations they overhear their parents having is also unsuitable for their age (and likely contains offensive language), but it is never put into perspective that way.

Many people do not realize how prevalent censorship and book banning is in today's society. In fact, most people hardly think about it for a moment. However, it is a very current and relevant topic that we should all be concerned about. 

A local high school just banned a book (Invisible Man) last week; earlier this month, an Alabama senator called for a ban on The Bluest Eye. Clearly this isn't simply an issue of the past. Sure, it is important to look back and learn from our mistakes...but Banned Books Week is more than that. It is about standing up for your right to read and for your access to knowledge.

Speaking to college students on this topic has proven more difficult than anticipated. Last year, we reached out with a series of events and the response was almost non-existent. Instead of taking our ball and going home, we acted out...we banned a book. Well, we fake banned a book (read more about it here). Almost immediately our Facebook page was overwhelmed by all of the comments of outrage. Still, it seemed many of them didn't realize this was a real-time issue and the outcry, while impressive, wasn't as strong as we had hoped.

After quite the stunt last year, we wanted to try reaching out through symbolism this year. We thought, you know, maybe we should try to be a little more subtle. So right now as I write this the library is scattered with crime scene tape and dead body outlines on the floor (with frequently banned book titles on them). Additionally, there are books hanging across three floors of the Atrium. There are two messages that come with these displays: 1) Book banning is essentially a crime--theft of knowledge & 2) Censorship causes access to knowledge to be just out of reach.

Today the library in which I work held a Mock Protest to spread awareness about censorship as a current issue. One of our main goals was to encourage students to speak out about book banning and embrace their right to read whatever they want. Sure, some of them were just there for the free pizza but I think the message lasted through the last bite with quite a few of our participants.

We all have different opinions and viewpoints, as well as come from different backgrounds, which is bound to stir up some controversy. If you don't like something, then don't read it. But not liking something does not give you the right to keep someone else from reading it. We need our fREADom, people!

Celebrate your right to read not only this week, but throughout the year. Everyone should get lost in a book from time to time.