This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Celebrate Banned Books Week at the Port Jefferson Free Library

This week is Banned Books Week. It is a celebration of the fact that we live in a society that supports and protects the freedom of expression. It also acts as a reminder that there are individuals who would see libraries that reflect only their values and beliefs. Any materials inconsistent with their views they would see taken off the shelves and removed.

Books are challenged for a variety reasons. A challenge to a book must be filed before any actual removal is attempted. Usually challenges are made in response to a book’s contents and themes. The American Library Association compiles a list of books that have been challenged every year. Below are are few that have been challenged recently with the reason(s) for the challenge:


Beloved by Toni Morrison http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2354997~S50- challenged due to sexually explicit content, violence, and religious viewpoin

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4254496~S50- challenged due to offensive language, and racism


Brave New World by Aldous Huxley http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2545348~S50- challenged due to racism, nudity, sexually explicit, insensitivity, and religious viewpoint

Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4271731~S50 challenged due to violence, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group.


The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3628797~S50- challenge due to explict content and offensive language


The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3322620~S50 challenged due to religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, homosexuality, and offensive language


And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3690520~S50- challenged due to homosexuality


It is a sad situation to see how the actions of a few fail to respect the rights and opinions of others.

As a librarian I read a lot. Not just because I enjoy it, but also because I like things that make me think, show me how others live their lives, and that challenge me as a reader and a human being. I recently read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4632367~S50 In the novel Bradbury imagines a world where books are deemed irrelevant, fit only to be burned. Citizens plug themselves into watch mindless, violent, and destructive spectacles on giant screen.

A world without books is a deeply frightening and sad one. It would be one where censorship has become irrelevant because there is nothing left to challenge.

Books can be a great comfort, reminding their reader that they are not alone. They offer solace as well as diversion during difficult times.

“A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone” Mary Jo Godwin, former editor at H.W. Wilson. That’s the point of a library. The library’s collection provides information. It is there for people to access. Librarians make suggestions and recommendations based on patron feedback. Different people need and enjoy different types of works and the collection reflects that diversity. Celebrate your Freedom to Read and check out a library book today!


We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?