Banned Books Week returns to Lockwood

Published September 22, 2016 This content is archived.

What’s your favorite book? “Harry Potter?” “To Kill a Mockingbird?” “Where’s Waldo?” Whatever the title, chances are good that someone has tried to ban it.

These titles and more will highlight UB’s popular banned books exhibit, which returns to Lockwood Library for a second year during Banned Books Week Sept. 25 through Oct. 1.

Banned Books Week is a national celebration of free and open access to information, and the freedom to seek and express ideas — even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Held in the library’s lobby, the exhibit features a range of books that once made the literary blacklist, from “great American” novels to well-known children’s stories.

Titles that visitors may find in the exhibit include “The Great Gatsby,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Gossip Girl,” Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” and more.

Visitors also are welcome to check out any of the books for reading.

According to the American Library Association, more than 11,000 books have been challenged since 1982, most often for being sexually explicit or containing offensive language.

However, even seemingly innocent tales have been controversial, among them Dr. Seuss’ “Hop on Pop,” which was challenged in 2014 for allegedly promoting violence against fathers.