Libraries in McKean County are standing up to censorship while marking banned books week from Sept. 22 to 28.
At Bradford Area Public Library, Colette Roessler put the finishing touches on the banned books display on Friday.
“What I’ve done this year is actually wrapped up the books,” explained Roessler, the adult programming and marketing coordinator for the library. “I’ve wrapped up maybe 15 to 20 books, and I put hints on them so people can try to figure out what the book is.
“I wanted people to try to guess what the book is based on what the reason is for the book being banned or challenged,” she said.
For example, one wrapped book is marked with a note saying it was challenged by a minister who “said he was afraid someone would read the book and cast spells.”
Without giving away the title, it is one book out of seven in a hugely popular series about a young wizard and a battle between good and evil.
“I also have a shredded book,” Roessler said. Patrons “have to guess what the shredded book is. Everyone who guesses puts an entry in for a Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. The winner has to have a completed entry with the correct answer.”
Just hours old, the display was already drawing attention on Friday, she explained. “Within an hour of putting it out, I have 5 or 6 people who have entered.”
While the library often creates displays to mark events and gain the community’s attention, banned books week is one that Roessler is proud to mark.
“I am trying to raise awareness about banning books and censorship,” she said.
Library director Lacey Love said she hasn’t been asked to remove any books in the five years she has been at Bradford library.
“I think it’s more common at school libraries,” Love said. “We have a procedure in place to handle it should it happen.”
Roessler explained there is a big difference between parents having a say in what their child reads and challenging or removing a book from a library.
“I feel that parents need to make informed decisions and they should look at what their children are reading,” she said, “and use it as a vehicle for further discussion.
“A parent should make a decision about what their child can read. That’s a parent’s right. Should schools or libraries have control over what people read? I feel that silencing it for other is wrong.”
The Friends’ Memorial Public Library in Kane, Hamlin Memorial Library in Smethport, and the S.W. Smith Memorial Public Library in Port Allegany have all confirmed they will have displays marking banned books week.
The theme of the week is “Censorship Leaves Us In The Dark. Keep The Light On.”
