Students and faculty take part in Banned Books Week events

University of North Georgia (UNG) students and faculty members participated in various events to mark Banned Books Week, which was Sept. 22-28.

A total of 531 materials, which include books, magazines, films and databases, were affected by censorship attempts in 2018, according to the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom.

UNG's Dahlonega Campus chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, held a "Blind Date With a Book" event. For $2 each, students sold books wrapped in brown paper with a few key words about the topic on the outside. The group also promoted dyslexia awareness at the event. The Sigma Tau Delta chapter on the Gainesville Campus held a banned books sale.

"They are interested in addressing issues that prevent students from reading and enjoying literature," said Dr. Laura Getty, professor of English and adviser for Sigma Tau Delta.

Dr. Westry Whitaker, assistant professor of teacher education, had his students share posters about banned books they read and explain why the books were banned and whether they would use the book in their classroom.

Banned Books Week, promoted by ALA and Amnesty International, began in 1982.

"Every year, we find that many people are unaware that book banning still takes place, or that one of their favorite books was banned somewhere, at some point," Getty said. "It's important for all of us to decide for ourselves what we want to read."