For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

The University Libraries of the University of Memphis will observe Banned Books Week Sept. 27-Oct. 1 with public readings from banned or challenged books. The readings, by faculty, students, administrators, Friends of the Libraries members, and others, will begin at 11:30 a.m. each day in the rotunda of the Ned R. McWherter Library. There is no charge to attend.

Readings will be from such books as the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult, And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, as well as classics like Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Library Association, which keeps track of books that have been challenged or banned from libraries or bookstores in the United States. Over the past nine years, American libraries have faced 4,312 challenges against books that contain what some people consider offensive language, sexually explicit material, violence, and other issues.

The University’s participation in the nationwide project helps call attention to the importance of the rights of free speech and free expression.

A list of books that have been banned or challenged can be viewed online at: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/index.cfm

More information about Banned Books Week is available from Klaudia Kroboth at 901-678-2209 or kroboth@memphis.edu, or from Tom Mendina at 901-678-4310 or tmendina@memphis.edu