Have you ever read James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl?  It's a wonderful book and considered to be a classic.  But what if someone you don't even know decided you shouldn't be allowed to read it?  What if you decided you wanted to read it, but couldn't find it anywhere?  Not in a bookstore or a library!  What would you think?

Every so often someone somewhere challenges a book.  A challenge is a formal complaint made to a library or school about a book.  Usually the person making the complaint wants the book removed or its use restricted in some way.  If a book is removed from use then it has been banned.

One of the benefits of having and using a library card is that, by reading, you will develop your own tastes in authors and genres.  You will decide what you like to read.  Your parents and caregivers can help with selecting books for awhile, but someday you will be doing this on your own.  You will be free to choose what you want to read.

Every year we celebrate this freedom during the month of February.  It's called Freedom to Read Week.  This year, from February 22-28, we will have a special reading area in the Children's Library at the central branch.  You can read something from our display of challenged and banned books, by yourself or with a parent or caregiver.  These books are available because libraries, schools, and individuals have defended your right to read.

You don't need to register.  Just come in and read or take a book home.  Exercise your right!