News Summary
The University of South Florida Tampa Library commemorated Banned Books Week with a display of frequently challenged titles in K-12 and public libraries. The exhibit included notable books like ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue,’ aiming to foster discussions around censorship and access to information. With Florida leading the nation in book bans, professors at USF stressed the significance of exploring diverse cultures through literature and the need to advocate for intellectual freedoms.
Tampa
The University of South Florida (USF) Tampa Library recognized Banned Books Week from October 5-11 by showcasing a display of books that have faced bans in K-12 and public libraries. The display was situated next to the Library’s front desk and highlighted the American Library Association’s top 10 most challenged books of 2024.
The featured collection included books that have been both banned and challenged in Florida schools and libraries, allowing students to interact with the titles. Some of the challenged books included “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson and “Tricks” by Ellen Hopkins, while banned books on display included “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “The 57 Bus” by Dashka Slater. Each of these titles addresses significant themes such as violence, LGBTQ+ identity, and racism, which have contributed to their challenges in educational settings.
According to the American Library Association, challenges refer to attempts to “remove or restrict” materials, while bans indicate the successful removal of these materials. Zibby Wilder, a spokesperson for USF Libraries, mentioned that the display was not an official school event but rather an initiative created by library staff to foster discussions on the issues presented by banned books.
Professors at USF emphasized the importance of Banned Books Week as an opportunity for students to explore diverse cultures and histories, promoting critical thinking skills. Professor Vonzell Agosoto noted that intellectual freedoms and educational rights are not guaranteed and must be actively preserved. He encourages students to scrutinize curriculum policies to make informed choices based on local interpretations and regulations.
Furthermore, Professor Julie Armstrong highlighted how banned books validate the experiences of marginalized communities and encourage critical thinking among students. She advocates for student participation in local school board meetings to engage with censorship issues and gain insights into varying perspectives surrounding book bans.
In recent years, Florida has seen a dramatic increase in book bans, leading the nation with a recorded 2,304 bans across 33 districts for the 2024-25 academic year, as documented by PEN America. Issues over criteria for book removal and the review process have sparked controversy among educators and parents within the Hillsborough County district. Hillsborough County Public Schools have removed more library books than any other district in Florida, eliciting disputes over censorship practices.
A report by PEN America indicated that over 6,700 book removals have occurred nationwide, with Florida topping the list. The Governor of Florida has publicly addressed media representations of book bans, asserting that these removals comply with state laws regarding inappropriate content.
While the USF Tampa Library’s display aimed to raise awareness about the importance of access to information and the implications of censorship, unrelated incidents, such as the sound of a pipe bursting at Castor Hall on October 12, occurred on campus around the same time but did not impact the book display.
The American Library Association’s Banned Books Week serves to spotlight the crucial issues of book censorship and the right to access information, inviting ongoing discussion and reflection within communities, including campuses such as USF.
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Additional Resources
- USF Oracle: USF Library Displays Banned Books
- Fox 13 News: Hillsborough Ranks First in Florida for High Number of Books Banned
- Washington Post: Florida Book Ban School Libraries
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Book Censorship
- Google Search: Book Bans in Florida
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