Banned books to play a role in reading event

Puyallup joins libraries nationwide in Read Out to raise awareness about banned books in libraries

Chris Albert

Last year, the American Library Association received official complaints on more than 400 books because the content was viewed as inappropriate by some individuals.

The complaints came from books in libraries and schools throughout the country. To raise awareness about books that have been banned, the Puyallup Public Library is hosting Freedom to Read from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2. The event will include reading out loud parts of books that have been banned the past 20 years. The event is the tail end of National Banned Books Week.

“I know some people get concerned because of the impact (banned books) have on their children,” said Bonnie Svitavsky, Puyallup’s young adult librarian.

But the event isn’t about exposing children to what their parents may see as inappropriate; it is about raising awareness about what some of these banned books have and learning to read together as a family, she said.

“This isn’t about making sure they get exposed to it,” Svitavsky said.

Books have been banned for a variety of reasons but more often than not it’s because of language, she said. Other reasons include sexual content, especially when a book addresses homosexuality.

“Some of them can be a bit surprising,” such as books like Harry Potter, Svitavsky said.

Some people don’t like books that have magic in them because they think it is a gateway to the occult, she said.

American classics like “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou have been challenged as inappropriate and been banned as recently as last year. Both made the American Library Association’s top 10 list for most challenged books in 2007.

More recent books like “The Freedom Writers Diaries” and “Just Listen” have also been challenged.

“There are definitely some more recent books,” Svitavsky said.

Last year, one book was challenged at the Puyallup Public Library — “Atlas: From the Streets to the Ring,” a memoir by Teddy Atlas.

The book had some coarse language and a patron took offense, said Mary Jo Torgeson, library director.

“We do take complaints very seriously,” she said.

The book was reviewed and she recommended to the library board not to remove it because the context of the language was part of the story. The board agreed.

“Taking items out of context reduces the intent of the writer,” Torgeson said. “You have to look at a work as a whole work.”

In fiction, language can be a literary license, but a memoir is a part of somebody’s life, she said.

“In this case we opted the language was appropriate for the book,” Torgeson said. “That’s the way they talked.”

The patron was great at how they approached their objection, she said.

“It’s a person’s right to complain,” Torgeson said. “That’s what intellectual freedom and the freedom to read is all about. That’s the other side.”

The Banned Books Week event is a way for people to become more aware of what books have been banned and why they were banned, Svitavsky said.

Giving people a right to access a book is an important part of the literary experience and shouldn’t be limited because somebody said “Don’t read this,” she said.

“(This is) expressing to people that they do have a freedom to read and a freedom to choose,” Svitavsky said.

Parents should be able to choose what their children are reading and learning, she added, and not have the choice made for them.

“The purpose is to just show people that maybe just because a book may have some following or character they might not be comfortable with doesn’t mean they should just disregard it.”

Reach Reporter Chris Albert at 253-841-2481 ext. 313 or by e-mail at chris.albert@puyallupherald.com.

Reach Reporter Chris Albert at 253-841-2481 Ext. 313 or by e-mail at chris.albert@puyallupherald.com.