Books not banned here

SANDUSKY — "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, published in 1953, is a dystopian novel that takes place in a society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The name comes from the temperature at which book paper burns, 451 degrees Fahrenheit. The central theme in "Fahrenheit 451" is advocating against censorship. Ironically, the book has been challenged, altered and banned in several school systems since publication. Bradbury's novel isn't the only book that has been brought into conversations regarding book bans and challenges. When a book is challenged it is an attempt to remove or restrict materials. When a book is banned, it is the removal of materials. From 2001 to 2021, the American Library Association tracked more than 9,000 challenged books, although the association has data backing all the way to 1990. According to the association's website, 82% to 97% "of challenged books remain unreported and receive no media." Why ban books? "Across the spectrum, you have different people who would be interested in banning books," said Molly Carver, the Sandusky Library's executive director. Whether it's because of race, politics, religion or sexual education, books are banned with good intentions, usually to protect someone from a certain point of view. "Children are often the reason," Carver said. The association reports that parents challenge materials more than any other group. "It's their right to make choices for their families," said Jen Farrell, chair of the Ohio Library Council Intellectual Freedom Committee. The top three reasons why a book is challenged include "sexual explicities, offensive language and unsuited to any age type," according to the association's website. Other popular reasons were violence, homosexuality, Satanic themes, religious viewpoint and anti-family. The wealth of human knowledge Carver and Farrell both said a major concern when it comes to banning books is intellectual freedom, or the lack thereof. The association describes intellectual freedom as the "right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction." Farrell, who is also a librarian at the Huron County Community Library, said intellectual freedom is "a fundamental human right" and is needed to make informed decisions. The library's role is to protect access to information and give you the ability to explore that freedom, Carver said. She also describes information as being a public good provided by the library. "Intellectual freedom gives ideas to explore and engage without intimidation or embarrassment," Farrell said. A huge loss "It impacts all of us if we don't have access to understanding how everyone — how other people are," Carver said. She claims "a huge loss" to everyone, whether they're a part of the LGBTQ+ community, a racial minority or the general public. The following books are banned yet, as noted by many experts, are important to those who face similar situations to know they are not alone: • "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison shared her experience as a young girl growing up in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, where she faced racism, incest and child molestation • "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas is about a girl living in a poor, Black neighborhood while going to a wealthy white school • "This Book is Gay" by Juno Dawson is an uncensored look about what it's like to grow up gay • "And Tango Makes Three" by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson is about two male penguins who create a family together. Farrell said it's important to protect minority points of view and to provide others aid in coping with similar experiences. "Representation is important. It allows an individual to see themselves in a book," Farrell said. "We are saying to a marginalized community that one group is more important than another." The library is for everyone Both librarians say information is important. It provides an informed electorate to make decisions and allows people to think for themselves. Libraries make sure all viewpoints are available. "As a librarian, our approach is that more information is better," Carver said. "Something in the collection is not an endorsement by the library." Recent legislation, such as House Bill 616, has made librarians feel uncomfortable because it removes local and individual control over information. Also known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, Republicans in Columbus are working on legislation that would ban LGBTQ+ topics in some school curriculums and also change how the history of race and racism is taught. The legislation also likely will lead to books being banned from school libraries and coursework. Public libraries are independent from the state government and funded through local governments and nonprofits. They are self-governed and decide what items go on the shelves to fit their budget and patron requests. "The library is important for everyone," Farrell said. Banned Books Week The association has a week-long event at the end of September that celebrates the freedom of reading books. This year's theme is "Books Unite Us — Censorship Divides Us." Check local libraries, such as the Sandusky Library, for more information regarding their Banned Books Week. Carver and Farrell answered questions regarding their stance on the topic of banning books and concerns over censorship: Q: Do you feel that banning books, in relevance to censorship, goes against the First Amendment? • Carver: The First Amendment is needed to protect alternative and minority point of views. We don't need a First Amendment to protect something we all agree on. Anything that is taken out of our discourse would be considered not good. • Farrell: When we don't have access to different viewpoints, we lose the ability to explore openly and freely. Intellectual freedom gives ideas to explore and engage without intimidation or embarrassment. Q: If you were ordered by the government to remove books such as "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison, "Maus" by Art Spiegelman, or "Everywhere Babies" by Susan Meyers, what would your reaction be? • Carver: "There would be a reaction to that, and I don't know what form that would take. The library is independent of state government. We would have to evaluate what we are being asked to do, whether they could govern that or not." • Farrell: My response would be of concern. In a democratic society, when people don't think for themselves, ideas won't flow freely. As a librarian, I would follow what our policies are, review the materials, and make the best decisions for our community. Q: What banned books, if any, do you have available to check out? • Carver: The basis in our democratic society, all viewpoints would be accessible. For the library, our effort is to make anything available that would be legally obtainable. We want people to find that and provide it to them. We would include all kinds of things in our collection. • Farrell: People think the banned book list is cut and dry. Any library across the state will have books on the banned list. It is not up to me what someone decides to read.