Connie Van Fleet didn't appear to be breaking the law. She recited, in her best librarian voice, the sing-song passages of a book intended for toddlers that was banned for its content.
Van Fleet, professor of library and information studies, and members of the English Club met last night in the faculty lounge of Gittinger Hall to celebrate Banned Books Week.
This week, the American Library Association tries to raise awareness of intellectual freedom and first amendment issues caused by the banning of books in school and public libraries, according to their Web site.
As Van Fleet slowly flipped the pages of In the Night Kitchen, no gasps emitted from the crowd.
Only chuckles could be heard and smiles seen on the faces of the audience.
The book had been banned for its depiction of a naked toddler floating through his own dream world, Van Fleet said.
"We each get to read what we want, hear what we want, say what we want, and then we must make our own decisions about what we think," Van Fleet said.
On a different note, I'll have to ask Dr. Van Fleet to demonstrate her best librarian voice" the next time I see her. ;-)
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