SMU hosted its first banned book virtual read-out in support of Banned Books Week, drawing a number of faculty and students to Fondren library Wednesday afternoon.

The virtual read-out allowed students, faculty and staff to get in front of the camera, pick a banned or challenged book – according to the American Library Association – and read a passage out loud for 30 seconds to show their support for Banned Books Week.

The recordings of participants in the virtual read-out were posted to the Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out YouTube channel, which features videos from people around the world supporting Banned Books Week.

“When you read the words out loud, it has more of an impact than when you read it,” said Info Commons Tech Coordinator Tyeson Seale. “Everyone can hear how powerful these words can be.”

Among the books students chose to read were controversy titles such as “Catcher in the Rye,” “Grapes of Wrath” and “The Working Poor” as well as some children’s books including “Where the Wild Things Are,” “The Giving Tree” and “Charlotte’s Web.”

Banned Books Week is an annual tradition held the last week of September – sponsored by institutions such as American Booksellers Association and the National Coalition Against Censorship – that helps readers proclaim the importance of the freedom to read. The event started in 1982 after a large spike in the number of book challenges to schools and libraries.

Since Banned Books Week began, more than 11,300 books have been challenged, according to the American Library Association.

SMU’s virtual read-out comes after Highland Park ISD banned seven books from its curriculum because of complaints by parents that the material was inappropriate for teenagers.