Fang-Face writes “The ALA is promoting Banned Books Week 2004; September 25 – October 2. This year’s theme is: Elect to Read a Banned Book. You can order your press kit or get more background information through this page. This year’s logo features Super Diaper Baby:
Quothe the page:
Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.
A disingenious statement given the ALA’s taking for granted the rights of Cubans to read. For those who might be wondering if Banned Books Week is disingenious in itself, see the critique of the event by Steve McKinzie which is archived at my site.“
$55 per kit
my poor little library will be using the downloadable art.
But we will have a banned books week display. Stop by and get a banned book.
Not a fan of Banned Books Week
The idea of discouraging people from petitioning the government (which they do when they request the reconsideration of materials) doesn’t sit well with me. You can’t pick-and-choose your clauses from the First Amendment. In my library, I ignore ALA’s stuff and focus on the Amendment itself. For this year, I got some great — free! — posters from the Copley First Amendment Center.
Re:a different approach to BBW
This year, we’re doing BBW differently. We have partnered with the local daily newspaper and the local weekly independent to sponsor an essay contest called “Community Responses to Controversial Literature.” It will be opened to all viewpoints, and we didn’t use the ALA BBW graphics since it would have squelched or alienated those who would like to argue that there are cases in which materials should be removed from classrooms or schools.
I’m sure we’ll put up a display as well. While I get a little weary of doing it each year, I’m always surprised and invigorated by the discussion intiated by patrons. It’s pretty remarkable.
Re:a different approach to BBW
I have to say that one of my proudest professional moments was successfully bringing together our local, conservative daily paper and the weekly independent that regularly rails against the stodgy daily. The Independent guy proposed it, and I thought, “no way in hell.” But in the spirit of first amendement camraderie, it’s worked out quite well.