Gio Perez reads banned books.

And she wants everyone else to read — whatever they choose.

More Information

More Information

Timberland Regional Libraries

https://trl.org

All three South Pacific County branches allow people to sign up for expanded access hours which enables them to check out materials outside regular opening hours. Information available at www.TRL.org/EAH

Ilwaco Public Library, 158 First Ave., Ilwaco, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (360) 642-3908.

Ocean Park Library, 1308 256th Place, Ocean Park, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (360) 665-4184.

Naselle Library, 4 Parpala Road, Naselle, open for expanded access keyholders, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. (360) 539-3327.

Perez, a staff member at the Ilwaco Timberland Library branch, created a display for September’s “Banned Books Week.” She installed the colorful presentation, complete with yellow crime-scene tape, at the inner entrance to the library at 158 First Ave. N, in Ilwaco. “Timberland Regional Libraries believe we should have someone for everyone,” she said.

Her enthusiasm began during her school years when assigned to critique J.K. Rowling’s best-selling “Harry Potter” series which attracted critics who believed the stories promoted witchcraft. “I just loved reading them,” Perez said. She made a study of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” an erotic romance novel by British author E.L. James, which morphed from fan fiction around the “Twilight” saga into a commercial success, boosted by a 2015 movie.

The American Library Association says reasons given by people trying to ban books tend to fall into three categories:

• sexually explicit;

• offensive language;

• “unsuitable” for children.

Racism has led to bans on books considered classics in the literary world, including Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “To Kill a Mockingbird” and John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.” However, all three are required reading texts in many American high schools. “Nancy Drew” mysteries, “Winnie the Pooh” and even “Where’s Waldo?” works have been opposed for other reasons.

Perez said challenges to books can be from just one person, often someone who does not want their child exposed to specific subject matter. “A lot of those complaints come from parents whose children just got ahold of it and they don’t want their child to read it — so it’s challenged.”

“Goodnight Moon,” a 1947 children’s book, was removed from the New York public libraries because one highly regarded librarian didn’t like it and professional colleagues did not question her opinion, Perez said. After the woman’s retirement, it gained prominence — 25 years after being published.

Commonly sex and drugs are themes that attract attempts to ban. In the modern era, homosexuality has caused considerable upset, including the 2005 children’s story, “And Tango Makes Three,” based on a true story of two male penguins in a New York zoo who adopted an abandoned baby penguin.

It was one of the children’s books that Seaside City Council member Steve Dillard complained were available without restrictions at the Seaside Public Library. During discussions, “When Aidan Became a Brother,” a story published in 2019 that detailed the coming out of a transgender child, and “A Court of Mist and Fury,” by Sarah J. Maas, a young adult fantasy romance, came under fire. Community push-back against his stance led to him being recalled in a 316-182 vote in July.

Reflecting the prominence of so many gay-themed books being targeted around the world, Ilwaco’s display included the picture book “Jack Not Jackie” by Erica Silverman, “Gender Queer,” a 2019 memoir by Maia Kababe, and “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson.

Banned Books Week began in 1982 and is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the American Library Association (which was founded in 1876) with groups representing booksellers and journalists.

It is the second year Perez has created Ilwaco’s display; she is already dreaming up creative ideas for next year. “It is my obsession,” she grinned.