McKillop Library celebrates Banned Books Week

By Sara Birse ’20

In honor of the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week, McKillop Library will host several events during the week of Sept. 25. Banned Books Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness of books and novels that are banned or challenged in schools nationwide.

Activities include a discussion regarding “Dirty Pictures: Gender, Sexuality and the Censorship of Books.” Hosted by Dr. Anthony Mangieri and Susannah Strong, the discussion will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 in the east wing of the library. Mangieri is an associate professor and Strong is an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History. The discussion will be centered on the censorship of novels such as David Levithan’s “Two Boys Kissing,” Mariko Tamaki’s “This One Summer” and R. Crumb’s “Genesis,” among others.

The library is hosting two additional events celebrating freedom of literary expression. They are:

• “Blind Date with a Banned Book,” scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 in the Miley Hall lobby. During this event, members of the University community can check out popular banned books and learn the the reasoning as to why these novels have been banned or challenged in schools.
• Salve Regina’s performing arts community will tackle the topic of freedom of expression using song, poetry, dance and more during an ArtsSlam scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 in the Wakehurst rose garden (rain location: McKillop Library first floor).