While we tend to talk about banned books (and censorship in general) a lot these days, in September the American Library Association sets aside a week to highlight this important topic. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. The annual event gives us the opportunity to discuss the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.
Here’s a list of some of the actions you can take to mark Banned Books Week:
- Attend a live virtual event with EveryLibrary for a celebration of reading and libraries.This new literary festival will feature 45+ authors, First Amendment experts, and publishing professionals. These events are free to attend and open to the public. You can register here.
EveryLibrary helps public, school, and college libraries win funding at the ballot box, ensuring stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come. They also help grassroots groups across the country defend and support their local library against book banning, illicit political interference, and threats of closure.
- Check out this map from Little Free Library that highlights locations of book bans at the state and county levels. You can also use the map to find Little Free Library locations in your neighborhood.
- Watch a movie based on a banned book, like Dead Poets Society, To Kill A Mockingbird, or Brokeback Mountain. Check out an extensive list here.
- Take a look at the Banned Books Week website, to see other suggestions for how to celebrate Let Freedom Read Day, which is the last day of Banned Books Week.
- And don’t forget to register to vote and learn where your local candidates stand on book bans!
