OPL defies ignorance, defends freedom of literacy through ‘Freedom to Read’ events
More than 5,000 books have been banned in the US since 2020. In order to combat this, the Oshkosh Public Library hosted a series of events over the month of October called “The Freedom to Read Campaign.” The library kicked off the month with a scavenger hunt, celebrating widely banned books and giving people the opportunity to read said books. The library is hosting a showing of a video series on banned books, showing a new episode every Thursday throughout the month. Finally, the Library is concluding the month with a week of book clubs, each discussing its own banned book. Additionally, to commemorate one of the most commonly banned books, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the library is hosting a showing of the 1962 film adaptation of the book.
People attending the film’s showing came to support the goals of the library against attempted censorship and infringements on personal liberties.
“I feel it shows how controlling people can be to what other people's children are allowed to read and the books shown in school,” an anonymous member of the League of Women's Voters said.
The League of Women's Voters is a prominent organization in the community of Oshkosh, and the country, that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue, and they showed up to support the library's educational event. As books most often end up being banned in classrooms, the Oshkosh Public Library is putting on the Freedom to Read Campaign to make sure that important books are available to the public to learn from, and connect over.
Other workers at the event rejected the need to ban books.
“I think that books shouldn’t be banned at all, period,” a volunteer said. “Also, I feel that banning a book tends to spark interest in that particular book.”
With the increase in banning books, reading said banned books has become increasingly popular. In libraries and bookshops around the country, a banned books section is becoming more and more common. However, some prefer movies over books, which sparked the library's inspiration for the showing of To Kill a Mockingbird. The movie screening appealed not only to those who had read To Kill a Mockingbird, but also those who haven’t had the opportunity to read the book to make sure its message was spread to those who prefer movies over books.
“I have seen the movie and I don't feel it should be banned as it teaches us an important lesson about history,” an attendee at the screening said. This is a common argument against book banning, as oftentimes history can provide an unfiltered look into the past, which includes things people don’t want to see.
Mockingbird is not the only book to suffer from mass banning in the United States. Ruth, a member of the community who has always enjoyed reading, had several banned book recommendations to give, but narrowed it down to two.
“I’m going to show my age a little and say, Are you there god? It's me, Margaret,” she said. “It talks about the coming of age of young girls, and it’s been banned for its sexual content.”
Ruth also mentioned how a variety of formerly required readings in school have now ended up being banned. This issue often sparks controversy in the book banning world. On one hand, these books were groundbreaking for the time and deserve to be studied for the generations to come. However, some argue that the books are outdated and can spread the exact message that is trying to prevent.
“Catcher in the Rye is commonly banned now, but when I was younger, it used to be a required reading in school,” Ruth said.
The Freedom to Read Campaign has brought new light to an age old issue of free speech and education. The Oshkosh Public library has given the community an opportunity to experience these books that changed the world throughout Banned Book Week. All this in hopes that Oshkosh can be more educated on this topic and learn more about the ever growing issue of book banning.
“Books that get banned are banned for not particularly good reasons, and a lot of them have things we can learn from,” an attendee said.
by Henry Bongers and Delaney Smith
Published on October 30, 2023
Oshkosh West Index vol 120 Issue II