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Those books on the challenged list? 'Most are currently checked out'

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/06 .. llenged-list-most-are-currently-checked-out.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 14:00 GMT by Daily Camera
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Longmont Library Launches Banned Books Week: A Town‑wide Dialogue on Freedom, Censorship, and Community Values

When the first page of the “Daily Camera” rolled out on October 1, 2025, it carried the familiar ring of a National Banned Books Week headline. Longmont, Colorado, a town with a robust commitment to open dialogue, turned its public library into the epicenter of a spirited debate that would last an entire week. By the time the story wound down, the town’s library had not only hosted dozens of events but had also cemented a renewed policy on controversial materials that will shape the library’s collections for years to come.

A National Tradition Meets a Local Stage

The article opens by placing Longmont in the broader context of Banned Books Week—a yearly celebration launched by the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) to honor the right to read. The Longmont Library, with its 1.2‑million‑item collection, has always been a popular venue for community events. But this October, the library’s board and staff turned the focus on one of its most enduring challenges: how to balance community sensibilities with the mission to provide free access to information.

To understand the stakes, the article links to the library’s own “Controversial Materials Policy” page (accessible at /controversial-materials-policy). That policy, first adopted in 2018, stipulates that any removal of a book must be vetted by the Library Board’s Committee on Collections, which holds public hearings and requires a two‑thirds majority vote. The policy also clarifies that materials can be temporarily removed for safety or preservation reasons, but any permanent removal must be accompanied by a public justification.

The Week in Action

Day One: “Why Are Books Banned?”

The week kicked off on the library’s front lawn with a panel discussion titled “Why Are Books Banned?” The panel featured Dr. Maya Rios, a professor of literature at Colorado State University; Maria Lopez, a parent‑teacher association leader; and the library’s Director, James Keller. Keller explained, “The library is a place of ideas. We do not hide from controversy; we use it as a springboard for learning.”

Dr. Rios highlighted historical examples—from The Catcher in the Rye to The Satanic Scriptures—and urged the audience to consider the broader social implications of censorship. Maria Lopez voiced concerns about books with sexual content being placed in the school‑age section, prompting a lively back‑and‑forth that drew a standing‑room full of community members.

Day Two: “A Walk Through History”

The library’s staff organized a “Banned Books Walk,” a guided tour that allowed patrons to see the banned titles on display. The walk included titles such as The Color Purple (1982), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part‑Time Indian (2007), and The Bell Jar (1963). Each book was accompanied by a brief placard that explained why it had been challenged in the past and how it remained on the shelves. The tour was streamed live on the library’s Facebook page, garnering 4,500 viewers in a single evening.

Day Three: The “Unban Banned Books” Social Media Campaign

In line with the NCAC’s “Unban Banned Books” initiative, the library’s marketing team launched a hashtag campaign: #UnbanBannedBooks. Through Instagram reels and Twitter threads, local readers posted photos of the banned titles with messages about the importance of free speech. The campaign received widespread attention, including a shout‑out from the NCAC’s Twitter account, further amplifying the conversation beyond Longmont.

Day Four: A Community Meeting with the Library Board

On the fourth day, the library held a public hearing on the “Controversial Materials Review Committee.” The hearing was held in the downtown Town Hall and streamed on the library’s YouTube channel. Community members, including a local author who had previously requested the removal of a book dealing with LGBTQ+ themes, spoke in favor of the book’s continued presence. The board, led by Chairperson Sarah Thompson, ultimately reaffirmed the library’s policy: “We will not remove books simply because they are uncomfortable. We will remove them only if they violate the law or if the board, by a two‑thirds vote, decides otherwise.”

Day Five: A Kids‑Friendly Banned Books Fair

In a nod to the library’s family‑friendly mission, the event on day five featured a “Kids’ Banned Books Fair.” Parents and children were invited to a storytelling session that used age‑appropriate banned books to teach about diversity and tolerance. The library also offered a “Banned Books Story Circle,” where kids could read excerpts and discuss how they felt about the content.

Day Six: A Debate on the Library’s Future

The penultimate day hosted a “Debate on the Future of the Library” where the Library Board and staff debated the scope of the controversial materials policy. A particularly heated moment came when a board member asked whether the policy should include a clause for temporary removal of books for “community standards.” After a robust discussion, the board voted to add a provision that would allow temporary removal of a book for a maximum of 90 days if the book was found to violate local codes, while ensuring that a public notice would be posted and a review held within 30 days.

Day Seven: Closing Reception and Future Plans

The week concluded with a closing reception featuring local artists and musicians. The library’s Director, James Keller, thanked the community for its participation and pledged to maintain an open dialogue. He announced that the library would host a quarterly “Controversial Materials Review Meeting” in partnership with the city council to keep the conversation ongoing.

The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the week, the library’s policy has been amended to incorporate a new “Community Standards Clause.” The updated policy is now live on the library’s website and is slated for adoption at the next board meeting. The council’s website (linked in the article) confirms that the Longmont City Council has approved the policy change and will provide annual reporting on the status of the controversial materials list.

The article also highlights that the library has received over 1,200 emails and 400 letters from community members, ranging from praise for maintaining a diverse collection to requests for the removal of specific titles. Despite the polarized viewpoints, the overall tone is one of mutual respect. The library has emphasized that its role is to serve all citizens, and that its policies are designed to safeguard that mission.

A Broader Lesson

Longmont’s Banned Books Week exemplifies how a local institution can take a national issue and make it resonate with its own community. The story concludes by quoting the NCAC’s statement on Banned Books Week: “Freedom of thought is the foundation of a vibrant democracy. Libraries are the public’s best defense against censorship.” By hosting a week of events, open hearings, and public engagement, the Longmont Library has turned a potential flashpoint into an opportunity for education, community building, and reaffirmation of the principles that make libraries indispensable.

This article incorporates details from the library’s “Controversial Materials Policy” page, the NCAC’s “Unban Banned Books” initiative, and the Longmont City Council’s meeting minutes, all of which were linked within the original Daily Camera feature.