School Board to Determine Fate of Grendel

Some parents have challenged John Gardner's Grendel for being too graphic. The district uses the NCTE policy for handling challenges.  Sherwood Gazette, October 30, 2008

Champaign School Board Votes against Use of Kite Runner

The Champaign school board reversed a committee recommendation Monday night and ruled that the novel "The Kite Runner" will no longer be used for a sophomore honors English class. The News-Gazette, October 28, 2008

Library Backs Book on Same-Sex Parents

The Calvert County Board of Library Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to keep a controversial book about two male penguins where it is shelved: in the children's section of county libraries, along with other picture books. The Washington Post, October 23, 2008

Schools, Libraries See Hundreds of Requests to Ban Books

The American Library Association's annual list of book challenges reports more than 400 requests to remove books from schools and libraries during 2007. And Tango Makes Three, The Chocolate War, and Olive's Ocean are the top three books cited USA Today, October 22, 2008

Banned Books Celebration Promotes Freedom of Expression

Friday will feature some unusual story times at local libraries, when passages from once-verboten books are read aloud to mark Banned Books Week.



"Where we live, the free expression of ideas is unlimited. But that doesn't prevent well-meaning people from trying to suppress information," said Donald J. Farish, president of Rowan University in Glassboro. "As a university, we need to stand up. We do not believe in censorship." The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 29, 2008

Banned Books Week Raises Important Censorship Issues

Walt Whitman once said, "The dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book," a view some local libraries have taken to heart. Saturday marked the beginning of the 28th annual Banned Books Week, a program started by the American Library Association aimed at curtailing book censorship nationwide.



Locally, Drinko Library and the Cabell County Public Library are participating in the program although area high schools are abstaining becasue of state testing.

Banned Books Week Draws Attention to Censorship

Each year, Banned Books Week draws attention to threats against free speech specifically the threat that is posed by attempts to remove books from library shelves. Lake County Record-Bee, September 29, 2008