Have you ever heard someone talking about a book being "moved" in the library? Sometimes, books are moved from their original section to another, such as when children's and young adult books are relocated to the adult section. This can make people wonder if it's fair, or if it's a type of censorship.

Censorship is the suppression of speech, ideas, or information that a particular person or group finds objectionable. It involves the power to restrict access to certain materials, often based on subjective moral or political viewpoints. Censorship can happen in different ways, like taking a book off the shelves completely or making it so only certain people can read it.

When a book gets moved to a different section, especially the adult section, it can be a kind of censorship. Though not an outright ban, it still restricts access and significantly affects how many people read the book. Consider a young adult book discussing themes of sexuality, mental health, or social issues. If this book is moved to the adult section, it creates a barrier for the very audience it was written for. Teenagers, who may be dealing with these issues themselves, are less likely to go into the adult section, which is often perceived as off-limits or intimidating for them. This effectively silences voices and perspectives relevant to their lives.

Moving books can create a stigma around certain topics. For example, by placing books dealing with LGBTQ+ issues in the adult section, the library implicitly suggests that these topics are inappropriate for younger readers. This can create unfair stereotypes and make young people who are trying to learn and understand feel ashamed and alone. Libraries should be places where everyone feels welcome and safe to explore books about all kinds of people and experiences.

It's also unfair to authors, who typically write with a specific audience in mind. If a book gets moved to a different section, it might not reach the people who would enjoy it the most. It's like the author is being told that their book isn't good enough, or that it doesn't belong.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, which includes the right to access information. This means that people can share their ideas and opinions, even if other people don't agree with them. Libraries should be spaces where people can explore a wide range of perspectives and then decide what they believe. Moving books around based on someone's personal opinion about what's right or wrong goes against the idea of free speech.

Parents have the right to decide what their own children are allowed to read. If a parent is concerned about a certain book, they can talk to their child about it, choose to leave that book on the shelf, decide not to read it at home, or ask the librarian for help finding a different book. But one parent shouldn't get to decide what all children are allowed to read. Every family is different and every child is different, so it's important to have diverse books available so that everyone can find something that's right for them. 

Moving books to the adult section can unintentionally become a form of censorship. It limits access, stigmatizes certain topics, and undermines the principles of intellectual freedom. Libraries should be places where everyone feels welcome and respected, and where people can find books about a variety of topics and ideas. Our foundational First Amendment right and the freedom to read guarantees this and should be protected.