OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The American Library Association is hosting an awareness campaign Sept. 24- Oct. 1 against banned books. At the Ottumwa Public Library, there's a display of books that have been challenged or banned across the country. The goal of the week is to draw attention to the problem of censorship.
Some of those books include "Brave new world" by Aldous Huxley, "The catcher in the rye" by J.D/ and "Nickel and dimed: on (Not) getting by in America," by Barbara Ehrenreich.
"The principle point behind having a banned book week celebration is to emphasize the fundamental belief we have in the United States have the freedom to read and to free speech," said Ottumwa Public Library Director Sonja Ferrell.
"So, every year, we like to highlight books that have been challenged in the past to show that we still have access to those books."
Ferrell shared with KTVO why books are challenged or banned.
"Sometimes in the modern era, it'll come down to politics or religion in addition to if there's any sexually explicitness in the books. Ultimately, our belief system is that it's up to the parents to oversee what their children are reading. "
Ferrell said that children's books are the most challenged. She explained that just because a book is banned doesn't mean it will be taken off the shelves.
In order for a book to be banned at the Ottumwa Public Library, Ferrell said the library patron would have to fill out a form at the circulation desk, and then she and the Library Board would review it and decide on whether it should be taken off the shelves.
Books are banned on an individual library basis.
Some of the top challenged titles across America in 2010 were "Lush" by Natasha Friend and the Twilight series.
For more information, head to this website.
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