Does anyone know the process to ban a book?

Question

I'm doing a speech on banned books and I need to know the process someone has to go through to get the book banned. I know it first has to be challenged... but isn't there something before that? and what about what's after? Please, help! Thanks!!!

Well, in the USA books have been banned from schools and libraries. Even in the past. For example Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell was banned from schools in Anaheim California in 1978 because it "used the word '******'" I just want to know what one must do to get a book banned-- or even to challenge a book.

Answer 1

Typically, public libraries and schools have a form to fill out asking you to explain specifically what you find offensive and why you feel the book should be removed. These forms sometimes ask "Have you read all of the book yourself?", the answers to which can be amusing or enlightening.

Usually, these forms are considered by a committee which may be made up of library/school staff, community members, and other interested parties. The committee then submits its recommendation to the leadership (head librarian, principal, etc.) who makes a final decision.

The American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom (http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/) can give you more information, and if you phone them, they'd be glad to refer you to someone who could discuss how these requests are handled in your area.

Answer 2

In the USA I do not thnk it is possible at all to ban a book completely. Certainly I have seen lists of "banned " books put out by the Catholic Church suggesting to it's members they not read this book. In other countries you simply need a dictator and an army and call it banned. Then the army will gather up all the copies and burn them, kill the author, kill those who have the book and the book will be successfully banned and only be sold in the free countries of the world.

Answer 3

Usually books get banned on a local level, or by specific groups. For example, someone could get an "offensive" book banned from the local public library or the local school district, or they could convince a local bookstore not to carry it. A church group could boycott a certain book and forbid their church members to read it.
But there are different rules for each - to get a book banned from a public library you'd probably have to go to the city council as well as the library; to ban it from a school you'd have to go to the school board, etc. You could lead a boycott a bookstore, but legally you can't force the store to stop selling it.
A few books may actually be banned at a national level - usually these are policitally dangerous books, like someone wanting to overthrow a communist regime.
You'll have to decide which group(s) to focus on for your report, and from which era.

Answer 4

well, I won't be of any help on this question, but I wanted to put my 2 cents in. I don't support censorship - esp book banning. If someone thinks a book might offend them, then they just don't need to read it. I think that a lot of the time when people complain about books, they've never even read them in the first place. Sorry...I know this wasn't what you were asking, but it's a sore subject with me....

Answer 5

well first of all you have to be intolerant and small-minded.
next you have to want stifle peoples freedom of speech.
it helps to have a bit of religious indignation mixed in there, with lashings of vindictiveness and jealousy.
self righteosness though is the key though, because if you have bundles of this...you can convince yourself that YOU yes you have the right to decide for other people what they can and cannot read.