Would you read a Banned Book?

The William A. Blakley Library presents an exhibit on Banned Books. This annual event occurs to coincide with the American Library Associations Banned Book Week, Sept. 24th through Oct. 1st.

Drop by to see the exhibit unfold and learn just how many banned books you may have already read. You might be surprised!

Think for yourself and let others do the same.

Melissa Randall
Reference Librarian

National Library Week

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and promoted by libraries across the country each April. This is a time to recognize the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.
Join The William A. Blakley Library in celebrating National Library Week (NLW) April 10-16, 2011. The Library proudly presents a colorful and intriguing display derived from the theme of NLW: Create Your Own Story.
Included in the display are selected books written by students from the University of Dallas who have received the "Clodecott Award" in the Department of Education.
Carolyn Mauzy, Reference Librarian

Quotes in Classical Tragedy

This insightful exhibit is a counterpoint to the comedy display at the William A. Blakley Library. The juxtaposition of the two displays correlates to the opposing genres of the Western Canon,those works which have had a strong influence on Western culture.

Carolyn Mauzy,
Reference Librarian

Chuckles on Display

Is there humor in the Classics? Well, come on into the library and see a selection of classic quotes from Plato, Shakespeare, and Kant, to name a few. Find the way: continue past the entrance on the main level of the library, straight ahead, then to the right, and see the display case filled with delights.

Carolyn Mauzy
Reference Librarian

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