By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
Karen Courtney reads with her granddaughter after Friday Preschool Story Hour. The MJB Library youth area is a great spot to bring youngsters on a rainy day.
The American Library Association and Banned Books Week Coalition are pleased to announce that the theme for Banned Books Week 2026 is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” Banned Books Week will take place Oct. 4-10, 2026.
Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week began in response to a sudden surge in challenges to books in libraries, bookstores and schools. This annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information. It brings the entire book community — librarians, booksellers and readers of all types — together in support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the dangers of censorship.
Book bans in the United States refer to the removal or restriction of books from school curricula, school libraries, public libraries or bookstores based on objections to their content. Book bans are not new; books were banned in other countries before America’s first public libraries were established. Generally, books were banned on moral, religious or political grounds. The books that were banned were believed to be too obscene or too controversial to be read by society.
This little patron is wondering about the building skills of her friends at the LEGO table.
In the past, most challenges were brought by parents’ concerns about their children’s reading lists; however, according to data from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, more than 90% of recent book challenges are driven by organized political pressure groups, government officials and institutional decision-makers who are targeting large lists of books.
Disagreements over certain content will always exist; however, it is the position of the ALA that individuals should only be making decisions regarding content for themselves and their children rather than for other readers and parents.
Services, materials and facilities that fulfill the needs and interests of all library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of providing library services and should be determined on an individual basis.
Reading material available in the library is available to patrons for personal selection; they are not required books. Banning these materials would remove access for all members of the community.
The MJB Library has a preschool story hour each Friday at 10 a.m. Following crafts, the attendees often enjoy time to socialize and play with each other.
MJB Library has some exciting upcoming programs. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Iowa author Tyler Sullivan will present “Iowa’s Scenic View by Foot” at 4 p.m. Sullivan has journeyed to 98 of Iowa’s 99 counties and toured hundreds of Iowa museums and landmarks. Join him to learn about his travels and experiences through Iowa. Highly recommended for all ages.
LEGO Mania Day for our youth is at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, “Fractions and Stained Glass,” an ISU Extension program for youth of all ages, will be offered in the Taylor Meeting Room.