Library employee raises awareness of Banned Books Week after trustees bar celebration

After Flathead County Library Board of Trustees directed staff to no longer celebrate Banned Books Week, one longtime staff member took matters into her own hands, making a sign and displaying banned books outside the library during her days off this week. 

Sierra Benjamin has been working at Flathead County Library for nearly a decade. In an interview this week, she said she’s tired of the drama surrounding Banned Books Week, noting that a protest of the board’s decision last year resulted in no change. 

“I think the people who protested last year are just kind of burned out, but I don't mind being out here and reading books and talking to people for a few days,” Benjamin said. 

Banned Books Week is the annual week-long celebration of books that have been challenged or removed from public schools and libraries. It is intended to draw awareness to the “freedom to read” and First Amendment rights.  

Last year, Flathead County Library trustees directed staff to not incorporate it into displays and programming, citing a decision to distance themselves from the American Library Association, an organization that supports Banned Books Week.  

Board Chair David Ingram said at the time that he and other trustees believe the observation is too divisive, but that their decision affects all association related events, not just Banned Books Week.  

Some trustees described the association as “Marxist” and politically motivated, but last year trustee Jane Wheeler pushed back against that notion. She pointed out that the association provides resources for libraries across the country.  

There was no outcry this year, except for Benjamin, who displayed her small sign on the steps outside the Kalispell branch earlier this week. She read and had copies of famously banned books on display, including “The Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler, “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood, the Bible, “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe and “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins. 

When people stopped to ask about the sign and books, Benjamin explained why the books had been removed from shelves at various schools and libraries across the country. She also gave out homemade zines with information about Banned Books Week. 

She remembers learning about Banned Books Week at 13 years old when she noticed displays for it in the library. She was shocked to learn the history of banned books, Benjamin said.  

Attempts to restrict access to a book are colloquially referred to as book bans, as well as the formal process to remove books, which are called book challenges.  

Benjamin said when she started working at the library, book banning had entered a bit of a lull, so it was easy to view it as something of the past. But, over the last few years, book challenges have skyrocketed in the U.S. — and Flathead County Library has seen its fair share.  

Trustees chose to move “Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness” by Anastasia Higginbotham, which discusses white privilege and racism, out of the children’s section in 2022, though it is still available for checkout. 

Trustee Carmen Cuthbertson also led a charge to remove “Gender Queer” in 2021 before she became a member of the board, which was ultimately unsuccessful.  

In 2023, the American Library Association documented the highest number of titles targeted since the organization began compiling data more than 20 years ago. 4,240 unique titles were challenged last year, up from 2,571 targeted in 2022, according to the association. 

“Now, as we enter the most unprecedented time for book banning in America, I think it's really important to be aware of it — and so many people aren't aware of it," Benjamin said. 

Ingram said at Thursday’s library board meeting that he didn’t know of Benjamin’s display outside the library this week. But he said she is free to do whatever she likes in her off-time. 

Both Ingram and Library Director Teri Dugan said no one attempted to stop Benjamin from sitting outside with her display. 

When it comes to Banned Books Week, Dugan said they have “let that go by” after not celebrating last year.  

“We have materials in our library that are available for everyone and come in and checkout at any time. So, we didn't see a need to necessarily highlight [Banned Books Week,]” Dugan said.  

Banned Books Week is being observed from Sept. 22 to 28 this year.  

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.