A book can be banned from public schools or libraries for many reasons, including explicit language, sexual content or discussions of race or LGBTQ+ representation. But at the Hattiesburg Public Library, one group is pushing back against the growing wave of book bans across the nation.
On Tuesdays, the Banned Book Club meets to discuss works that have faced censorship and to celebrate the right to read freely.
The club welcomes anyone who wants to join. Each participant brings a unique perspective, but what unites them all is a shared belief that no book deserves to be silenced. This week’s meeting focused on 1984 by George Orwell, a book that, according to members, feels more relevant than ever.
The group’s discussion centered on the book’s major themes — government surveillance, censorship, and manipulation of truth — and how these ideas seem to mirror current political and social issues. Members drew connections between Orwell’s “Big Brother” and what they see as modern threats to privacy and free expression, emphasizing that reading banned books is one way to resist ignorance and control.
Librarian Leah Pimm, who leads the club, said the goal of the group is to understand why books are banned and to remind readers why those stories matter. Pimm noted that while book challenges most often happen in school libraries, they can occur anywhere, including universities and public libraries.
“It’s kind of been a thing that’s happening more and more in libraries,” she said. “As librarians, we’re all pro–freedom to read. That’s part of the American Library Association’s tenets. We feel it’s really important for everyone to get a chance to read what they like.”
Each meeting begins with a review of where and why the chosen book was banned, followed by an open discussion of both the text and the controversy surrounding it. In the case of 1984, a handout detailed its long history of censorship. The book was banned in the Soviet Union until 1988 for being “anti-communist.” In 1981, parents in Florida challenged it for supposedly promoting communism and containing sexual content. In 2018, a parent in Idaho wanted it removed from the curriculum for a senior-level government class. More recently, in 2023, 1984 was among the titles banned from all public school libraries in Iowa, a decision that a federal judge later overturned.
Many banned books share similar reasons for being challenged: sexual themes, profanity, portrayals of racism, or the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. Titles such as The Handmaid’s Tale, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Hate U Give have all faced bans or restrictions in recent years. Critics argue that such content is inappropriate for young readers or goes against community values. Supporters of the books, like those in the Hattiesburg club, say censorship only limits understanding and empathy.
“They may make some people uncomfortable, but I think it’s important to have conversations about those topics because it’s good to have a diverse viewpoint with the books you read,” said Pimm. “I don’t think there’s any validity in banning any books.”
During the discussion, club members shared how 1984 made them feel — anxious, disturbed, even depressed — but also enlightened. Despite the serious nature of their conversations, the group remains close-knit and supportive. They are all worried about the nation’s future but come together to comfort one another and to remind themselves that reading still matters.
The Banned Book Club at the Hattiesburg Public Library is open to anyone who believes in the freedom to read. Through weekly discussions, they reaffirm a core democratic principle: that access to information should not be restricted by fear or disapproval.
