Creating a Periodic Table of Banned Books: A Community College Multimedia Project for Inclusion and Diverse Representation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The library at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) in Massachusetts is home to a unique exhibit that highlights ongoing threats to intellectual freedom: the Periodic Table of Banned Books. This installation, and its accompanying events and social media campaigns, were inspired by the Periodic Table of Black History created by the Lakeland Public Library in Florida—and by Marian Wright Edelman’s famous saying: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Why did we create a periodic table of banned books? Focusing on the contemporary issue of banned books helps our students connect with literature that is relevant to or representative of their lived experiences. And as the only technical community college in Massachusetts, the format is fitting for our institution.
Authors: Emily Butler, Kat Good-Schiff, Vonetta Lightfoot
Institution: Springfield Technical Community College
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410390849