For release: September 25, 2012
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901-678-2843

The University Libraries of the University of Memphis will observe Banned Books Week Oct. 1-5 with public readings from banned or challenged books. The readings by faculty and administrators will begin at 11:30 a.m. each day in the Ned R. McWherter Library rotunda and will end around 1 p.m. Each reading will be followed by a brief discussion of the book. There is no charge to attend.

Among this year’s participants are U of M President Shirley Raines, Athletic Director Tom Bowen, and Dr. Rosie Phillips Bingham, vice president for Student Affairs. They will read from such books as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Library Association, which keeps track of books that have been challenged or banned from libraries or bookstores in the United States. Each year American libraries face numerous challenges against books that some people consider offensive because of language, descriptions of violence or sexually explicit acts, or other material.

The University’s participation in the nationwide project helps call attention to the importance of the rights of free speech and free expression.

For more information on Banned Books Week, contact Jennifer Schnabel at 901-678-8210.

A list of the top 100 banned and challenged books from 2000 through 2009 is available online at  www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/
challengedbydecade/2000_2009.