At the Library
Over the years and across the nation books have been challenged or banned from public libraries, schools, and other community organizations. Books are usually challenged or banned for containing what some would consider offensive language or actions, inappropriate sexual content, unpopular ideas, questionable morals, etc.
Every year the American Library Association recognizes Banned Books Week (Sept. 22-28) and publishes a list of the top 10 books that have been challenged or banned over the past year. With the publication of this list, ALA encourages public libraries to celebrate our First Amendment right of the freedom of speech by emphasizing the availability of these books in public libraries.
The Washington Public Library personally has a mission statement that reads: “The Washington Free Public Library believes in the freedom to read and learn, and the freedom to compare and express ideas. WFPL strives to provide educational, cultural and social enrichment for all residents of the city of Washington and surrounding areas.”
Because of this continuing mission, we, too, are celebrating our intellectual freedom to read whatever we want with a Banned Classics Read-Out on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. The library has eight to 10 volunteers who will present short readings from books that have been challenged or banned over the years in different communities. Surprisingly, these books are often the ones that have shaped America, influenced our lives, and "have had a profound effect on American life." Participants will explain why the book they have chosen was challenged or banned and then share a short reading from it.
We encourage the public to come listen. Everyone is invited to come share in the celebration of our freedom to read with the Washington Public Library!
The following new materials are available.
Gifts & Memorials
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks & Smithsonian Knowledge Encyclopedia given in memory of David R. McDaniel, A Simple Christmas Wish by Melody Carlson & The Longest Ride (large print) by Nicholas Sparks given in memory Elwood Kleese
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown & The Final Cut by Catherine Coulter given in memory of Myrl Leavitt
Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M. C. Beaton, Deadline by Sandra Brown, Deadly Heat by Richard Castle, Someone by Alice McDermott, Who Asked You? by Terry McMillan, Sheltering Rain by Jojo Moyes, Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon, What Was Once Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Large Print Fiction
Deadline by Sandra Brown
Young Adult Fiction
Smoke by Ellen Hopkins, Fallout by Todd Strasser
Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson, The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech, Amber Brown is on the Move by Paula Danziger, QB1 by Mike Lupica, The Heartbreak Messenger by Alexander Vance
LMNO Peas by Keith Baker, Jazzy in the Jungle by Lucy Cousins, Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak, Scaredycrow by Christopher Hernandez, Bitty Baby and Me by Kirby Lawson, Too Much Glue by Jason Lefebvre, Secret Pizza Party by Adam Rubin, Hello, My Name is Ruby by Philip C. Stead
Black Inventors by Keith C. Holmes, Building Great Sentences by Brooks Landon, Inconvenient Stories by Jeffrey Wolin, African Art from the Menil Collection, Christmas With Southern Living 2013