At first, the display in the library might seem like a simple collection of children's books -- James and the Giant Peach, works by Judy Blume and Shel Silverstein. Where's Waldo? and The Adventures of Captain Underpants.
It may be surprising, then, to learn the exhibit is highlighting the mostly commonly banned books in the U.S.
Banned Books 101, which displays the 101 most frequently banned or challenged books in the U.S. during the last 25 years, will be on display in the Diversity Reading Room, 109 Pattee Library, through the end of September.
"It calls attention to the fact that the First Amendment is important," Steven Herb, director of the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, said.
The exhibit divides the books into categories explaining what people found objectionable, with categories such as violence, racial content, family values and magic and the supernatural. According to the exhibit, Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic was challenged in Wisconsin because the book "encourages children to break dishes so they won't have to dry them."
In one section, Where's Waldo? features a side view of a topless woman on a beach.
"And you have to look so hard to see it!" Herb, who organized the event, said.
He added that access to books is an important First Amendment issue with extra relevance in today's political atmosphere.
"It seems simple, but today, with FBI agents being able to walk in and ask what we're reading because they don't like something we said in an e-mail..." Herb said.
Catherine Grigor, manager of public relations and marketing for the University Libraries, said the event was important for similar reasons.
"There's some very closed-minded people, I think," she said. "And I think that population is growing with the political climate."
Many books featured in the exhibit have classic status and are often featured on required reading lists.
Caroline Wermuth, outreach coordinator for the Pennsylvania Center for the Book, said many students have approached her and said they had to read The Giver, featured in the exhibit, in class. Wermuth also said many other featured books have merit.
"Caroline Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton, for example, is one of my daughter's favorite books. She read it for a reading competition program at her middle school, and since then, has read many of Cooney's other books," Wermuth said. "Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic is one we have on our shelves at home, and that one is also in this exhibit."
Wermuth also pointed out The Catcher in the Rye, which she called one of her favorites. Herb agreed.
"It makes people think, and wonder, and talk, and that's not something some parents want," Herb said. "They want obedience and controlled thought and no talk because talk is talk back."
Herb said he thinks libraries, not outside sources, should decide which books they shelve. But while Herb said believes in removing an outdated book, he disagrees with removing a book because it offends someone.
"When parents say 'This book is not right for my child, therefore it's not right for anyone's child,' that's where they cross the line," he said.
In addition to the display, the library is also hosting a banned book read-aloud marathon. The readings started on Saturday at 9 a.m., and will end Friday night at 9 p.m. Among readers will be Mayor Bill Welch and local children's author Martha Freeman, whose book The Trouble with Babies is featured in the exhibit.
