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Banned Books Week 2020

Wondering how you can participate in Banned Books Week? Not sure what Banned Books Week is? Looking for more information on issues of censorship and intellectual freedom? This guide is for you!

Definitions

Intellectual Freedom: Intellectual Freedom is a core value of the library profession.The American Library Association defines intellectual freedom as, "...the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored." To learn more about intellectual freedom visit ALA's webpage on Intellectual Freedom.  

Censorship: Merriam Webster defines censorship as "The system or practice of censoring books, letters, movies etc...". For more on issues related to censorship and the first amendment visit ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom

The Danger of a Single Story

Sherman Alexie On Censorship

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

"In this short film, a Holocaust survivor, an Iranian author, an American literary critic, and two Museum historians discuss the Nazi book burnings and why totalitarian regimes often target culture, particularly literature". -From description of film, Nazi Book Burning

Censored Women Film Festival

Perspectives on Intellectual Freedom