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Topeka Speaker: Book Banning is a Problem
Tonight, a renowned expert on intellectual freedom says dozens of books were banned from the nation's 119,000 libraries after hundreds of complaints.
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We hope you're part of the Big Read of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Tonight, a renowned expert on intellectual freedom says it's not book-burning, but book-banning that's the problem now.
Judith Krug of the Freedom to Read Foundation says dozens of books were banned from the nation's 119,000 libraries after hundreds of complaints.
Libraries have material selection standards, but Krug told Thursday's audience that library's missions are to provide anyone access to any information at any time.
"But there are people out there who say, 'I don't want you to read this because it's not accurate, or it's harmful, or it says the wrong thing or it doesn't agree with me," said Krug.
Krug also read her top 10 list of banned library books last year. You can read it on Ralph's blog.
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Book BURNING continues, even ordered by governments, although Judith Krug refuses to acknowledge it. In contrast to her description of "dozens" of books banned in the USA, Cuban courts in the crackdown of 2003 ordered the burning or destruction of THOUSANDS of volumes taken from independent libraries. The documentation of this crime has been posted by Florida State University and tat documentation has been accepted by reports published by Amnesty International and the Organization of American States. Despite repeated requests, Judith Krug refuses to list this book burning on the American Library Association's "Book Burning in the 21st Century" web site. Challenges to Harry Potter, however, are mentioned five timees on that web page. Go figure.
It is not the business of this nation, much less our libraries, to babysit the poorly raised children, or weak willed adults who are wandering around without scrupples. We each have a right to access information, good or bad. Parent, do your dutie. Leave the rest of us to our inalienable rights. Thank you, Libraries. We love you. Do not ban our books.
