University of Memphis students were surprised to hear books byauthors like Mark Twain, Maya Angelou and J.K. Rowling were on thebanned books list. "Those books shouldn't be banned," said freshmanchemistry major Brittany Taylor. "Some of those are really goodbooks."
Banned Books Week began Monday at the Ned R. McWherter Libraryand will continue throughout the week.
The ongoing nationwide event strives to promote books that havebeen challenged and banned through the years. The American LibraryAssociation compiles a list each year from both newspaper andindividual reports, according to the ALA Web site.
One hundred books are featured on the list and include classicsas well as modern favorites.
Tom Mendina, assistant to the dean of libraries, says he hasseen an impact on The U of M campus. "I keep getting people comingup to me that have been impressed," he said. "They can't believesome of these books are banned."
"The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," two works by Toni Morrison,appear to be favorites among readers so far this year.
Banned Books Week is not just intended for U of M students andfaculty either. Mendina noted the publication of a public mediarelease. The program is intended for the community as well as U ofM students and faculty.
Some might think books on the list are not offensive whencompared to contemporary entertainment. Mendina said that somepeople still find the books to be very provocative, even whencompared to today's television shows and movies. He added thatreligious beliefs and the protection of children from materialinappropriate for their age group are factors in the banning orchallenging of books.
"I think it's pretty stupid (to ban books) because a book is abook and some of those are made-up stories anyway," said juniorbiology major Jason Livingston.
While it is hard to tell which current and future books will bechallenged or banned, the criteria will remain unchanged. "Isuspect the reasons for challenging books will remain the same,"Mendina said. He said any books dealing with political issues orgiving a pessimistic view of society will always remaincontroversial. But he said so far this year everyone seemsdelighted with the event.
Book readings continue through Friday in the rotunda of thelibrary at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
