Photo: bibliona’s Flickr Photostream

This week marks the 27th anniversary of Banned Books Week, a nation-wide celebration organized by the American Library Association.   I am a proud library card carrying member, and have been known to cheer “Free Books!” in support of this wonderful public institution.   But we, the reading masses, must remain vigilant to ensure that those book stay free.   Considering the current Republican VP nominee may have a penchant for controlling free access to information, at least “rhetorically”, the ALA’s mission is critically pertinent:

Intellectual freedom can exist only where two essential conditions are met: first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate; and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of the work, and the viewpoints of both the author and receiver of information.

As guardians of public access to information, librarians serve a critical role in our nation’s democracy.   While some people may consider censorship a tactic of totalitarian regime or religious zealots, Sarah Palin’s alleged efforts should remind us that attempts to ban or restrict certain “objectionable” materials are close at hand.   There are certainly well-intentioned movements to remove access to particular books, such as protecting children from “inappropriate” or “offensive” content.   However, that responsibility should be left to a parent or guardian’s discretion and not to the whims of a particular group or an individual’s ideology.

To learn about previously challenged books check out the ALA’s website.

takepart to find out from the ALA what you can do to fight censorship and keep available at your local library.