Reedy participates in Banned Books Week in honor of students celebrating the freedom to read.

“I’d really like the concept of banned books this year,” Ariana Dutson, sophomore and president of the Reedy Library Club, said. “I’ve always hated the idea of not reading what I want to read in schools.”

Banned Books Week started in 1982 by the American Library Association, or ALA, as a way to stop the increasing numbers of books becoming banned. Throughout the years, the big weeks have lasted while more than 11,300 books are still being challenged by parents, students, teachers, and representatives of the district.

“I understand if you want to read something, but that doesn’t mean other people can’t read it,” Suzanne Goebel, sophomore and vice president of the Reedy Library Club, said

Books get taken away from their libraries due to many different reasons: sexual content, political issue, as well as offensive and religious viewpoints. However, the first amendment of the U.S. constitution states that the citizens have the freedom of the press, meaning they can publish, write, and read.

“As a librarian, I feel it’s my responsibility to educate students on their rights,” Mrs. Lambert, Reedy’s librarian said.

Throughout the week, there will be a photo shoot in the Reedy Library called “Caught Reading a Book Mugshot.” Students will hold up a sign saying ‘I read Banned Books’ and get their mug shot taken. Students can also check out a book that has been challenged by the district as well.

“It’s a very important cause,” Dutson said. “It helps people know that censorship is real and that there are people out there who are taking away our rights.”