Your Right to Read! (Prize Drawing Oct. 3)

is celebrating its commitment to protect intellectual freedom and to fight censorship by a Banned Books Week display. 

Readers are invited to take the Banned Books Week Quiz. (Visit the library for the entry form, and submit your answers for a prize drawing on Oct. 3.)

Albany Mayor, Farid Javandel, and the City Council declared the last week in September, “Banned Books Week.” They presented the Proclamation to Library Manager, Ronnie Davis, at their last meeting.

Political support for privacy and the freedom to read have always been important. Although the U.S. Constitution guarantees these freedoms, citizens must protect “the exercise thereof.” In chaotic and confusing times, the Freedom to Read is often attacked.

Public opinion in communities can turn very quickly and the first casualties are often new and controversial ideas. The suspicion of strangers often arises from the suspicion of outside ideas.

To foster good will and understanding  in a diverse society, to turn strangers into friends, politicians (and librarians!) must teach tolerance for differing opinions and support free inquiry. The Library is very happy that the City of Albany joins us in protecting privacy and the freedom to read.

Read more from the Albany Library Blog at albanylibrary.wordpress.com.