Censorship of books and published materials continue to be an issuein classrooms in the State of Indiana and across the country. As recentlyas this year, a parent at an Indiana high school filed a complaint overa poster advocating tolerance that featured photographs of accomplishedgay and lesbian individuals throughout history. In 1997, an Indiana middleschool found itself faced with a complaint about The Goats, a children’sbook that has been taught in English classes for years. The parent objectedto the book on “moral grounds.” Both attempts at censorship have been stuntedfor the time being.

 These, and other attempts of censorship will be addressed duringBanned Book Week, September 23 –30, at IndianaUniversity Northwest. The University Librarywill host a lecture series, Celebrate Your Freedom to Read, as wellas display exhibits featuring books that have been censored and/or burnedthroughout history. The first lecture, Censorship and Children’s Literature,will be presented by Marie Wright of the IUPUILibrary on Monday, Sept. 25 from noon to 1:15 p.m. in the LibraryConference Center.  

Religion and Censorship, will be presented by Douglas Archerof the University of Notre Dame’s HesburghLibrary on Sept. 27 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., also in the Library ConferenceCenter. He will discuss religious attempts at censorship.

Banned Book Week is a national event sponsored annually by the AmericanLibrary Association, the American Societyof Journalists and Authors, the AmericanBooksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for FreeExpression, the Association ofAmerican Book Publishers, and the National Association of College Stores.It is also endorsed by the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book.

 The IU Northwest Library lectures and displays are open to thecommunity and free of charge. For more information on Celebrate YourFreedom to Read- Banned Book Week, contact university library professorEllen Bosman at219-980-6947 or at ebosman@iunhaw1.iun.indiana.edu.