Banned Books Week at Wellington College

This week saw the first Banned Books Week at Wellington. Billed as ‘a week-long celebration of the freedom to read’, Banned Books Week has been celebrated in the USA since 1982 but this is the first year that the UK has officially joined in. A banned book refers to any book that has been 'censored, banned or where its removal or restriction has been called for from libraries, schools, bookshops or public circulation. A book might be challenged by individuals, private pressure groups or governments who disagree with its content or message and therefore wish to censor or silence the author’s voice.’ From To Kill a Mockingbird to Harry Potter, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time to Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse Five, numerous well-loved and highly regarded books have been censored at a particular time or in a specific place.

Students and staff were encouraged to exercise their freedom to read with a display of banned books in the library. The message from the librarians? We dare you to read one!

Head Librarian Lucy Atherton commented, ‘Lots of the books that we consider to be classics today were banned at one point in their history. Some of the third form visitors to the library this week were incredulous that To Kill a Mockingbird was on the list.’