Student-Led Display on Censorship

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Censorship Is So 1984

A display case with books and colorful letters stating "Censorship is so 1984."
Student-created exhibit on censorship currently in the Library's 1st floor entrance display case.

Censorship is an issue that we as the Library take very seriously.

We are thrilled to feature the work of a group of Fitchburg State students who focused on censorship in the form of book bans as part of their classwork for Dr. Danette Day's (Education) HON 1020 Current Events and Service Learning class this past Fall semester.

Students Elizabeth McNabb (Freshman, English Studies) , Priscilla Dillon (Sophomore, EXSS), and Emma McRae (Sophomore, Elementary Ed). took their love of books and reading as inspiration for the class final project focusing on advocacy work on the growing threat of censorship and book bans in schools and libraries. They were astonished to learn that in the 2024-2025 school year alone, there were 6,870 reported cases of challenges and outright banning of books. 

As part of their class project the students hosted three pop-up tables both on campus and at the Fitchburg Public Library. The group also presented in collaboration with Dr. Katy Covino (English), at both the English Rally event on campus and at the Fitchburg Public Library over winter break.  

Three people smiling in front of a presentation slide on book censorship.
Students Elizabeth McNabb, Emma McRae, and Priscilla Dillon presenting and hosting a pop-up table on the topic of censorship and book bans.

While their class is officially over the trio have continued their work by creating the display currently on exhibit in the Library's front entryway. The theme is from the American Library Association's 2025 Banned Book Week theme playing off of the famously banned George Orwell novel, 1984. 

This student-born and led advocacy group intends to continue to work with Dr. Covino to bring more awareness of book bans and the threat of censorship. The group's current display on censorship is part of this continued work here on campus.

We invite you to stop by the Library to check out the students' work and to learn a little bit more about the issues and impacts of censorship and book bans.

Three people stand smiling in front of a glass display case featuring books and posters about censorship, with the words "Censorship in 1984" written at the top of the display.
Censorship Advocacy group students Emma McRae and Elizabeth McNabb, as well as a their friend and fellow student Giuliana Angelucci, standing next to the Censorship is So 1984 exhibit they created.