INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Library is joining the American Library Association, the Freedom to Read Foundation, the Association of American Publishers and a host of other diverse organizations as part of a national alliance to promote the value of free and open access to information during Banned Books Week, Sept. 25 – Oct. 1.
Begun in 1982 as an annual observance in response to an increasing number of challenges to books in libraries, schools and bookstores, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read without censorship and encourages shared support for readers of all types to access information, even that considered by some to be unorthodox or unpopular.
According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, more than 11,300 books have been challenged nationwide since 1982. No book has been challenged at IndyPL since 2015, and no challenge has resulted in a book or video being removed from the collection.
IndyPL policies also stipulate the role and responsibility of parents or legal guardians to determine what materials their own minor children should read or view. The Library’s systemwide collection of nearly two million items is arranged with separate sections for juveniles, teens and adults. Young children are allowed to check out only those materials that are appropriate for their age.
Nationwide, the most challenged book in 2015 was Looking for Alaska by award-winning Indianapolis young adult author John Green. More information on banned and challenged books along with recommendations on how individuals can advocate for the freedom to read can be found on the American Library Association website at ala.org.
