Troy University Libraries will hold a series of events this week in recognition of Banned Books Week.
Banned Books Week is an annual event of the American Libraries Association that brings together the entire book community, including librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers and readers of all types in shared support of the freedom to seek, to publish, to read and to express ideas, event hose some consider unorthodox or unpopular. The theme of this year’s observance is “Let Freedom Read.”
“In this era of restrictions on people of all ages’ right to read whatever they want, I think it is wonderful that the American Library Association continues to have this event on an annual basis,” said Dr. Chris Shaffer, Dean of Libraries. “Troy University Libraries are proud to be a part of it.”
Activities will kick off on Monday, Oct. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Troy Campus Library in Wallace Hall with a book launches for a pair of faculty members in TROY’s Department of History and Philosophy.
Dr. Tim Buckner’s book, “The Barber of Natchez Reconsidered: William Johnson and Black Masculinity in the Antebellum South,” published by the LSU Press, follows a free man of color who lived in Natchez, Miss. during slavery. Johnson was born into slavery and was eventually freed by his white father. He trains as a barber, later becoming a businessman and a slaveowner himself.
The book earned Dr. Buckner, a professor of history, the Jules and Frances Landry Award for 2024. The award is given annually to the best book on a topic related to southern history or southern studies published by the LSU Press.
Dr. David Carlson’s book, “Congress of the States: Proceedings of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America,” reveals the birth of the Confederate government using detailed minutes reported in Richmond, Montgomery, Charleston, New Orleans, Savannah and Augusta newspapers.
On Tuesday, the library will present “WordFest,” featuring presentations on books written by Troy University faculty.
The schedule of WordFest speakers is:
- 9 a.m., John Hinck, “Badges of Honor: Stories of the Head, Heart and Hand;”
- 10 a.m., Rachel Cox, “Fowltown: Neamathla, Tutalosi Talofa and the First Battle of the Seminole Wars;”
- 1 p.m., Dr. Dan Puckett, “In the Shadow of Hitler: Alabama’s Jews, the Second World War, and the Holocaust;”
- 2 p.m., Dr. Richard Scott Nokes, “The Watch of Traxis;”
- 3 p.m., Dr. Robin O’Sullivan, “American Organic: A Cultural History of Farming, Gardening, Shopping, and Eating;” and,
- 4 p.m., Dr. Michael Slobodchikoff, Dr. G. Doug Davis and Dr. Brandon Stewart, “The Challenge to NATO: Global Security and the Atlantic Alliance.”
In addition, the library will also have free “banned books” available and student artwork will be on display.
