The Galesburg Public Library hosts a Banned Book Club that meets once a month in the study room on the second floor. The club began in April of last year and is facilitated by Payton Dowell, who is the volunteer Coordinator and Reference Librarian. The group focuses on reading and discussing books that have been challenged or banned, creating space for conversations around narratives that are often censored.

Dowell said the club is not just about reading banned books, but about understanding why they are controversial and why access to them matters. 

“One of my goals for the club is so that people can experience those narratives, and then we can discuss civilly why people may not want whatever content is objectionable out there, and why having access to that information is important for the people who are represented in those narratives,” she said.

Those values guide the selection of books. Dowell uses the American Library Association’s list of the most frequently banned books of 2024 to create a list of potential reads.

Creating a respectful and welcoming environment is a key part of how the club functions. Dowell said she has never encountered open disrespect during meetings. When disagreements or unfamiliar perspectives arise, she reminds members to speak from their own point of view and to respect others’ perspectives and opinions. 

“I try to keep people mindful of other people’s lived experiences,” Dowell said.

Dowell added that having discussions face-to-face helps keep conversations respectful because people are speaking directly to one another. She also noted that someone in the room may personally relate to a character or topic, even if they are not comfortable sharing that out loud. 

One discussion that stood out to Dowell occurred when the club read “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. Although she had expectations about how the conversation would go, it turned out to be one of her favorite meetings. 

“I was expecting folks to maybe not have as much experience with the queer community,” Dowell said. 

During the discussion, one member was unfamiliar with using pronouns outside of “she” or “he.” Dowell encouraged the group to practice using the author’s chosen pronouns. 

“You don’t have to get it perfect every time, but the purpose is to learn and grow,” she said. 

The Banned Book Club is open to anyone, including those who have not finished or started the book. Dowell said she understands that not everyone connects with every book or has the time to finish it. 

“As long as they can respectfully listen to the discussion that the folks who have read the book are having, that’s cool with me,” she said.

The group recently finished reading “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews and will read “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas next. Since the library is part of a consortium of at least 50 libraries, Dowell can request 15 to 20 copies of each book, depending on anticipated interest. Books are available for checkout at the library’s front desk, often for a slightly longer period than the standard checkout time to align with meeting dates. Members are also welcome to bring their own copies.

The club is advertised through the library’s newsletter, Facebook page, website calendar, and posters throughout the building.  Members are encouraged to invite others to attend a meeting to observe and get a feel for the group, even if they haven’t read the book.

Knox College students are welcome to join the club and can easily get access to the books. Students can obtain a library card with no charge by presenting their student ID and K-Box number at the checkout desk. This makes participation accessible for students interested in engaging with challenging literature and community discussion.