September 2019
Each of us brings a unique world-view to our studies here, and that is something to celebrate. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and individuals work to prohibit certain texts. Even today, there are challenges to intellectual freedoms and one’s ability to read and discover.
Censorship has a long history, and is instigated for a variety of perceived offenses: LGBTQIA+ content, sexually explicit content, profanity, racism, violence, religion, drugs and alcohol, and many others. Books have been outright banned or burned by public and private institutions alike.
Each year, the American Libraries Association tracks the most challenged books. In 2018, 483 books were challenged or banned. The following are from the Top 10 List, and can be found at the NDSU Libraries:
This One Summer, Mariko Tamaki
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie
To find out more about challenged books and intellectual freedom, visit ALA’s Banned Books advocacy, and be sure to “check out” our display September 22-28.
For questions about this topic or other library resources and services, contact Maddison Melquist, Humanities Librarian, or another subject librarian.
