By Ashley Ryan
In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 10,000 books were banned from schools and libraries across the U.S. Books are typically banned or challenged due to content deemed inappropriate for certain age groups or unsuitable for public access.
Jessica Jordan, a librarian at Wilken’s Library, offers a perspective on this ongoing issue.
“When I saw ‘Gender Queer’ being challenged in local communities, I quickly added it to the library’s order list,” Jordan said. “I knew this was a book we needed at the college.”
Jordan emphasized the importance of providing access to diverse literature, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals. “LGBTQ+ people may feel alone, and being able to connect with a book helps them not feel isolated,” she said.
Some of the most significant banned books, according to Jordan, include “Gender Queer”, “Maus”, and “The Diary of Anne Frank”. “’Maus’ is one of my personal favorites. I try to read it once a year. And “The Diary of Anne Frank” is vital for both its literary and historical content,” she said.
Jordan noted that “The Diary of Anne Frank” was banned and later edited due to its sexual content. “That surprised me,” she said.
She believes banning books does not protect readers but instead restricts access to important information. “Reading banned books offers students different perspectives and access to historical context,” she said.
Some banned books are available at Wilken’s Library, which also accepts suggestions for new leisure or banned books.
Jordan shared a quote by author Stephen King, which resonates with her approach to banned books: “When books are banned from school libraries, run to your public library or the nearest bookstore and read what it is your elders don’t want you to know.”
