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Celebrating Banned Books Week is not just about putting a spotlight on controversial books at Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

Nancy Higgs, North Park branch experience manager, said she wants people to be aware that book banning is not a thing of the past.

"People are still challenging books and asking for books to be removed from schools and libraries,” she said.

Banned Books Week, a national event running Sept. 24-30 at EVPL, encourages people to read books that were challenged or removed from some schools or libraries for controversial content.

Certain classic novels are known for being controversial – the American Library Assocation described J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher In The Rye" as "a favorite target of censors" for profanity and sexual references. Higgs said people are sometimes surprised when they hear which books were considered inappropriate or offensive.

"Sometimes when they see the names on the list it’s like ‘wait, I love that book,'" Higgs said.

Attempts to ban a book don't always mean the challenger thinks the book is "bad," she said. It could mean they don't think the book is appropriate for certain age groups.

In 2015, seven of the top 10 most-challenged books were contentious because people thought they were "unsuited to (an) age group," according to the ALA.

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That includes young adult novel "Looking For Alaska" by John Green, which also made the top 10 list in 2012, 2013 and 2016 for sexually explicit scenes.

Rainbow Rowell's YA novel "Eleanor & Park," which includes a teenaged main character dealing with domestic abuse, was considered controversial last year for offensive language.

“We point out everybody’s got things they don’t like. Some people might not like the violence. Some people might not mind the violence, but they don’t like the language," Higgs said. "Everybody has to pick what they like, and let other people read or view what they want. That’s our goal.”

Certain books with LGBT characters were also challenged, making up half of last year's top 10 most-challenged list. That included at least two books with transgender characters, "I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and "George" by Alex Gino.

Higgs said people will sometimes ask library staff if a book will be appropriate for children.

"Library policy is that it's between parent and child. ... That's a decision for them to make," she said. "Kids are different, and some are ready for more challenging ideas earlier than others. We encourage parents to come with their kids to the library and help them as they’re choosing their books.” 

North Park, McCollough and Oaklyn libraries will all be celebrating Banned Books Week next week, per the EVPL calendar.

People can answer a book-themed question at North Park library to enter a drawing to win a Banned Books-themed tote bag and a copy of "Fahrenheit 451", Ray Bradbury's novel about a dystopia where books are illegal and some people memorize books to preserve them.

The McCollough branch will have a Banned Books Week display through Oct. 1 and information to educate people about book banning, branch experience manager Kate Linderman said in an email.

The ALA has more information on its website about controversial classics and the top 10 most-challenged books last year at ala.org. Communities in Indiana and Kentucky have tried to ban several classics over the years, according to the ALA:

  • Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five" was challenged but not banned at the Owensboro, Kentucky, High School Library in 1985 for profanity, a section showing bestiality and the line "The gun made a ripping sound like the opening of a zipper on the fly of God Almighty." People in LaRue County, Kentucky, south of Louisville, also tried to ban "Slaughterhouse-Five". Drake, North Dakota, burned the book.
  • "Of Mice And Men" by John Steinbeck was challenged in Tell City in 1982 for profanity and "using God's name in vain" and banned in Syracuse in 1974.

Tell us in the comments: What banned books have you read?

If you go: 

What: Banned Books Week at EVPL branches

When: Regular library hours, Sept. 25 to 30

Where: McCollough branch, 5115 Washington Ave.; North Park branch, 960 Koehler Drive; Oaklyn branch, 3001 Oaklyn Drive.

Admission: Free. 

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