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Banned Books Week

A collection of resources to help raise awareness about the importance of freedom of information and help you make your voice heard in the fight against banning books.

Banned Books Week - Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.

"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. Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights 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."

-American Library Association

Banned Books Week in the Library

It's Banned Books Week! This week, the library invites you to get informed and activated on protecting free and open access to information. 

 

On campus: The Dewitt Wallace Library and the English and Creative Writing department are co-sponsoring the Banned Books Week @ Brueggers Bagel Monday, October 6. Starting at 9 a.m. in the English and Creative Writing Lounge (Old Main 218), we will be offering information and swag related to Banned Books while you enjoy a delicious Brueggers bagel. This event will be open until the bagels run out.

Check out our Banned Books display! We have a selection of books that have been challenged across the country, descriptions of why they were banned, and stats on books bans in the USA.

The back wall of Library Level 1 features books that have faced bans, and that we proudly hold in our collection.

Make buttons celebrating banned books with us!  Visit our tables outside the library from 4pm–6pm today to learn more about book bans, to talk to library staff about this work, and to make buttons celebrating banned books. Rain location is inside the library on Level 1.

 

Make a plan to vote! Local elected officials are often in charge of creating and/or implementing policies around books and the right to read. So pay attention to local elections like: school board members, county commissioners, city councilmembers, state representatives, etc. Figure out which candidates’ records, behaviors and positions most closely align with your own on the issues you care about, like freedom from censorship.

 We’re wrapping up Banned Books Week with an invitation: GET INVOLVED! 

  • Vote for the candidates that align for your values, including in local elections!

  • Swing by the library to pick up a button to show your support

  • Read banned books (pick one out from our display on Level 1)