Harry

Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo Illustration

In some communities, picking up a copy of a Harry Potter book may not be as simple as a visit to the local library.

In others, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” ranks right up there with copies of Hustler magazine.

Both these books are among the most often banned or challenged in American libraries. Dozens – if not hundreds – more books have faced being pulled from library shelves throughout the country.

In honor of Banned Books Week, which ends Saturday, Kansas University librarians will gather today on Wescoe Beach to read aloud from many books that often are the subject of criticism.

“I’m a really strong believer in the First Amendment,” said Susanne Clement, head of collection development at KU. “Even though I may not like what people are writing or saying, I’ll still strongly protect their rights to write or say what they believe.”

Clement, who has worked at public libraries in addition to her time at academic research libraries like those at KU, said people often challenge books when they feel uncomfortable.

“People are sincere when they challenge these things, but they’re uncomfortable with the content,” she said. “Just because you’re uncomfortable

with the content, that’s not a good reason to prevent it from being available.”

Clement said librarians are strong advocates for the First Amendment and she said it made sense for them to remind everyone that many of “the classics” as well as more contemporary literature are often deemed objectionable by a segment of the population. In addition to Harry Potter and Huck Finn, “The Catcher in the Rye,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Beloved,” and a children’s book about penguins, “And Tango Makes Three,” frequently are challenged or banned in local libraries.

Rebecca Smith, a spokeswoman for the KU libraries, said the idea to hold this event for the first time came from Lorraine Haricombe, who became dean of libraries last year. But the university has been recognizing Banned Books Week in other ways for a number of years.

“It’s definitely national,” Smith said. “The American Library Association has promoted it for a number of years, since the early ’80s. These read-outs will be going on around the country.”

Smith said it was important to recognize the role that libraries and books play in promoting an intelligent, informed society. She said among other books, librarians today would read selections from “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

“The Bluest Eye” often is challenged because critics contend it has inappropriate sexual content, Smith said.

“We want to make people aware that this is going on around the country,” Smith said. “It’s definitely something we’ve paid attention to in the past, but this is the first time we’ve done a read-out.”