In “Fahrenheit 451,” the government controls information released to the public. People become conditioned to believe only what they are allowed to see by those in charge. Citizens who try to speak beyond the limits of official controls are harassed and hunted. Whenever contraband books are found, they are burned. Paper ignites at 451 degrees Fahrenheit, thus the title of the book.
Ray Bradbury didn’t write the book in the 21st century, although the scenario looks all too familiar. He actually wrote it in 1953, more than 70 years ago.
During the decades since, the effort to control what people can read continues. People in charge who believe their point of view is “right” want to deny access to facts and others’ opinions. That’s why the American Library Association and libraries across the country — including the Danville Public Library — plan to celebrate Banned Books Week from Oct 4-10 with the theme, “Let Books Be: Protect the Freedom to Read.”
According to the ALA, more than 4,200 books faced challenges during 2025, the second highest total since such statistics began to be compiled. Most of those challenges come from organizations — pressure groups, government officials and decision-makers at all levels. Less than 3 percent of those challenges came from parents.
Books most often challenged, according to the American Library Association, include stories involving sexual identity, issues involving people of color and sensitive topics such as suicide.
Parents should have the right to decide what their children read. No one wants to restrict that. But every person, every family should have the right to choose what to read without interference from some group, organization or unrelated individual.
Illinois lawmakers preserved parents’ right to choose what’s appropriate for their own children in a 2024 law that also prohibits others from creating bans on materials in public libraries that receive state funding.
On Monday, the Danville Public Library will kick off Banned Books Week with the first of three free movies. The First Amendment Film Fest will run noon-2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the library, and visitors are invited to bring their own lunches as they watch movies related to books others attempted to ban.
On Wednesday, the library will serve as host for Silent Book Club: Banned Nook Read from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Visitors can bring their own book or choose one from the library’s banned book selection. A free audio book download also will be available while supplies last. For information, contact the library at 217-477-5220 or visit danvillepubliclibrary.org
Public libraries began in America even before the United States became a country. Benjamin Franklin and others like him in Philadelphia thought it was important that people had access to a wide selection of ideas in order to make informed decisions about their lives. That goal remains today in a society where freedom of thought too often becomes a target for those who want to gain control over others.
Take action on Oct. 10, Let Freedom Read Day. Defend books — all books. Check out a banned book to read, or buy one and donate it to a local library. Take a step to expand your thinking beyond the sources with whom you agree. You might not agree with other points of view, but you should increase your understanding of others. And isn’t that what learning is all about?