MACDONALD-KELCE LIBRARY
Every year the Macdonald-Kelce Library acknowledges Banned Book Week and celebrates the freedom to read. A true democracy strives for free expression for writers and journalists, for freedom to access these materials, and battles censorship on every level. Unfortunately, that's not the reality, especially here in Florida.
According to the recent PEN America report Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor: "Over 40 percent of all book bans occurred in school districts in Florida....Sixty-three percent of all book bans occurred in eight states with legislation that has either directly facilitated book bans or created the conditions for local groups to pressure and intimidate educators and librarians into removing books."
Many of these titles are YA novels that discuss race, mental health, drug use, LGBTQIA+ issues, and sexuality. Check out all of the advocacy initiatives, information and resources on the Banned Books Week site, an organization of multiple associations fighting against censorship since the 1980s:
Interested in what all the controversy is about? Fortunately, MKL and Hillsborough Public Library give you access to all of these titles. If you don't have a public library card yet, it's easy and free to sign up. Here is a list of the 13 most challenged books of 2022 and where you can find them so you can judge for yourself:
Macdonald-Kelce Library - The University of Tampa - 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. - Tampa, FL 33606 - 813 257-3056 - library@ut.edu - Accessibility
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