Banned Books Week

2025

“The Witch Trials of Harry Potter” by Dr. Elizabeth Amato

Dr. Amato described Harry Potter as a complex cultural work that explores enduring themes of morality, power, and inclusion, even as it has become the center of modern social controversies. The lecture stressed the importance of free speech and respectful dialogue in a democratic society, noting that despite debates surrounding J.K. Rowling, the series continues to resonate with and inspire new generations worldwide.

2024

“From Dahl to Dull: Rewriting the Classics” by Professor Tony Williams Senior Teaching Fellow at the Bill of Rights Institute

2023

“Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court: The Book That Wasn’t Banned (But Probably Should Have Been) by Dr. Bernard Joseph Dobski Professor of Political Science at Assumption University