Students gathered this past week to celebrate the freedom to read books that are frequently censored or challenged for their content.

Loyola’s English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta, sponsored a Banned Books Week event in the Danna Center from Sept. 22 to Sept. 26. The event was a part of a countrywide effort to highlight the importance of having open access to information —  specifically, through books.

Lauren Smith, English writing senior and the vice president of Sigma Tau Delta, said that Banned Books Week happens every year toward the end of September across the country.

“It’s all about supporting the freedom to read and express, regardless of many people’s ideas of censorship and what’s appropriate,” Smith said.

According to Banned Books Weeks’ official website, books that are continuously banned or challenged in libraries and schools across the country are often ones that contain offensive language, sexual content, homosexuality and religious viewpoints.

Smith, whose favorite banned book is Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” said that Sigma Tau Delta wanted to bring the event to Loyola this year to remind students of their freedom to read and write.

“I think a lot of people think of banned books as books that were banned for ridiculous reasons decades ago, but books are still being challenged and banned pretty often,” Smith said. “There’s such an extensive list of important works that have been banned or challenged. It’s important for us to remember them and know about them.”

Hillary Eklund, English professor and advisor for Sigma Tau Delta, said that the group worked hard to put the event together by gathering inflammatory reviews of some of the banned books and displaying them at their booth in the Danna Center.

“They did all of the research and coordinated with other members to get a few blurbs about each book,” Eklund said. “They’re also using this opportunity to fundraise for Sigma Tau Delta.”

Haley Hampton, history junior, was so excited to see the event she took a picture and urged her followers on Instagram to celebrate Banned Books Week by picking up a book and reading.

“I think it’s so important to recognize Banned Books Week and celebrate having access to information that in previous decades or in other cities and countries, would have been censored from us,” Hampton said.

Hampton said that the number of books that end up on the frequently challenged list often surprises people.

“I hope seeing that around this week will inspire people to read more,” Hampton said.