Members of the Ames and ISU communities read their way from the Mississippi River to Europe and back again during the Banned Books Week Read-A-Thon Wednesday. Government of the Student Body President Ben Golding was one of the 14 participants to read during the event. “We’re here today to point out that many books are banned for no reason,” he said. Books featured during the Read-A-Thon included “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and the “Diary of Anne Frank.” The books were read from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union. Library Dean Olivia Madison said the event promoted “celebrating the freedom to read,” and helped teach people about one of the fundamental rights in the Constitution. “I was interested in why the books were banned and the history,” said Jennifer Smith, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communication. “So I am hoping to learn something today.” During her opening remarks for the read-a-thon, Madison said community members, church groups and school board members are usually responsible for challenging books. She said the books are generally challenged because the content includes subjects such as sex, profanity, religious contention, dark subjects such as witchcraft or subjects that may possibly become controversial. Madison said Harry Potter books, a children’s fantasy series, has been added to the list most recently and is “the most frequently challenged book of 1999.” The event was the first read-a-thon at Iowa State. It was possible with the help of the Ames Public Library and the ISU chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. “We have a banned books exhibit both in the Memorial Union and in the Parks Library, but this is the first year we’ve done a read-a-thon,” said Tanya Zanish-Belcher, library faculty committee member in charge of organizing the event. “A lot of people assume that free speech is a given right.” Anne Friedrichsen, freshman in history, said she also thinks it is important to show support of Banned Books Week. “I see no reason for them to be banned just because they scare people,” she said. “Only when people are unnerved and uncomfortable can they be moved to action.”