National banned book week sheds light on censorship

When it comes to censorship, librarians sit at ground zero.

"Librarians are on the front line in protecting our freedom to read," said Trisha Noack, supervisor of public relations for the Peoria Public Library.

Almost every day in the U.S. someone challenges a book and asks that it be removed from the shelf of a public or school library.

"They don't want you to read anything from 'Harry Potter' to 'Captain Underpants,' " said Noack. "People are still trying to keep you from reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird' - it gets challenged every year. If everyone backed down, there would be nothing on the shelves to read."

To draw attention to the issue, libraries all over the country will be participating in the American Library Association's Banned Book Week Sept. 30 through Oct. 6.

"It's a freedom we enjoy. You have to protect it," said Noack.

Books are not challenged often in Peoria. In the nine years Noack has been working at the library she has seen only onechallenge.

"The last challenge we had was to 'It's Perfectly Normal' by Robie Harris," said Noack. Meant for ages 10 and up, the book, whose full title is "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health," describes puberty and human sexuality in a light, kid-friendly way.

"People seemed to object to the drawings, which are line drawings and somewhat humorous at times," Noack said. "They also objected to the practices described as 'perfectly normal.' "

The challenge was instigated by a national group protesting the book all over the country, Noack said.

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National banned book week sheds light on censorship