Springfield Library Features Burning Books Display
FairCityNews.com | Aug 31, 2010 | Comments 0
Springfield, MO—The Springfield-Greene County Library District will unveil new burning books displays this week at its six campuses. A prominent endcap will be constructed in each location that will house several books set on fire in an attempt to educate the public on past book burnings.
The burning of books has a long history as a tool wielded by authorities both secular and religious, in efforts to suppress dissenting or heretical views that are perceived as posing a threat to the prevailing order. The library says it wants to expose students both young and old to different and challenging ideas, because that is what free speech is all about.
“Holy freaking crap, they are burning books inside the library! That can’t be possible can it!?” said one library patron, Julie Kumlio. “I mean, there has to be a law against that these days, especially setting fires inside public buildings.”
A library spokesperson says a new canon of works will be torched each week to demonstrate the power of the destructive and symbolic act. “The burnings will begin in early September starting with ancient Chinese philosophy books, then Jewish holy books, followed closely by Roman history books and Torah and sorcery scrolls. By the end of the fall we hope to have moved onto more recent works including Christian books, the writings of Priscillian and even pop culture references such as the Beatles albums,” said the source.
Filed Under: Education