Exhibit: Historical language and literary works

Special works are on display in the library, which include: an original volume of the first historical and critical dictionary from the eighteenth century by Bayle; selections from the first encyclopedia in the first century by Pliny; and to reflect the early twentieth century, lectures by Stein. In addition, some illustrated publications embellish language and literature bringing the two to life. Stop by the library, 1st floor, and get a glimpse of our past heritage.

Carolyn Mauzy, Reference Librarian

Library Celebrates Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

Intellectual freedom—the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular—provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them.

The books featured during Banned Books Week have been targets of attempted bannings. Fortunately, while some books were banned or restricted, in a majority of cases the books were not banned, all thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, booksellers, and members of the community to retain the books in the library collections.

The top banned or challenged books of all time are:

Candide
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Brave New World
1984
The Catcher in the Rye
Lolita
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
The Anarchist Cookbook
The Satanic Verses
Harry Potter Series