The freedom to read whatever you want is a core library belief. Whether it’s Tolstoy or the back of the cereal box, we think you should be allowed to read it. Readers come in all shapes and sizes and so do their tastes. As librarians, one of our favorite activities is matching readers to their books (see last week’s post on NoveList to learn more about Readers’ Advisory!). 

Librarians aren’t the only ones who believe in the freedom to read – it’s actually in the Constitution! The First Amendment guarantees all individuals the right to express their ideas without governmental interference, and to read and listen to the ideas of others. But these rights have been infringed upon a few times in the past…

Banned Books Week began in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. If this all sounds familiar, that’s because book challenges have been occurring in record numbers again over the past couple of years. Banned Books Week gives us the chance to highlight the value of free and open access to information and unites the book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.

The library will be celebrating Banned Books Week this year by participating in a Let Freedom Read Statewide Read-In from September 30 through October 7 sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. 

Join us in the Blake Gallery on the Main level any time that week to read anything you like. We’ll have some previously banned books on hand (plus the 90,000 or so we usually have in the building), or bring your own. Have a look at our Banned Books exhibit and enter a raffle sponsored by the Friends of Beebe Library to win some fun Beebe swag and a gift card to Whitelam Books in Reading to show your support of the library and everyone’s freedom to read whatever they choose.