Q. Does MVCC library own any banned or challenged books?

The MVCC Libraries collect materials that support the coursework, research, and leisure interests of the entire college community. Some of those materials will necessarily be controversial.

The American Library Association tracks book bans and challenges across the United States. Here is their list of the most frequently-challenged books in 2022.

Of those, MVCC has:

Gender Queer

The Bluest Eye

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Crank

If you want more, ALA also has a 100 most-banned books list for the decade 2010-2019. You can search for titles that interest you in the library's main search box to see if we own them. If you are interested in a title that we do not own, you can request it from another SUNY or CUNY library. 

Book bans are a big issue in American libraries right now. We recommend checking out the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement. These lay out what the library profession believes about book banning and censorship. You can find MVCC Libraries' collection development policy here. 

Please ask a librarian if you have any further questions.