What You Can Do
Post Information about an Event
or Display
Event Ideas
● ‘Make your own banned book’ activity: Local
libraries, schools and bookstores could provide both the crafts and space for a
day/weekend in order for local community members, including children and youth
to create their own ‘banned books’; libraries, schools and booksellers could
offer prizes for participation.
● Ask customers and community members to sign a
support poster provided by ABFFE; display
the poster throughout the year to encourage dialogue and interest in banned
books and wider free speech issues. 
● Capture
individuals exercising their right to read banned books on film: Create a Polaroid
picture wall of students, patrons and customers who read banned books at your
local school, library or bookstore; ask patrons to write their thoughts and
feelings about banned books on the white part of the Polaroid.
● Display list of banned books at register;
start with the Kids' Right
to Read Project Report and build from there as interest grows.
● Organize a discussion forum on book
banning—particularly if there are any local cases of book bans or challenges;
focus on local youth using a Harry Potter or Twilight-themed discussion for
instance starting with questions like why do you think this book was banned? Why
do people ban books? Why do you like this book?
● Hold a Banned Books Week Essay Contest; send
the winning essay to info[at]abffe.com for potential publication on
bannedbooksweek.org
● Include a Banned Books Week feature in your
organization's newsletter or on your blog; advertising on a Banned Books
Week theme
● Organize contests to win 'freadom' buttons or
bracelets; Check out 'banned book trivia' here.
● Write to your local paper; draft op-eds and
letters to the editor.
● Screen related movies including
‘Jailed for Their Words’ and
others.
● Invite authors of banned books for signings and
Q&A at your local library or bookstore.
● Draw a picture of the one book you would save if books were
being burned; display the pictures on a wall in the children’s section
throughout the year
● Collaborate with local booksellers and
librarians for larger events
● Keep a Banned Books Week journal; write your
comments and thoughts on Banned Books Week activities
Fight Censorship in Your Community
Report a book challenge:
* Contact The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression
(ABFFE).
* Contact
The American Library Association (ALA).
* Use the
Book
Censorship Toolkit, which includes tips for responding to challenges from
the National Coalition Against Censorship.
Read About Book Banning
Read about recent book challenges:
* The Kids' Right
to Read Project (KRRP), a collaboration of ABFFE and the NCAC,
responds to book challenges and bans in schools and libraries.
* KRRP has confronted challenges to over 250 titles in
28 states.
* The American Library Association provides lists of
the most frequently challenged books.
* ABFFE's
Banned Books Week Handbook contains lists of frequently challenged titles.
Other articles of interest:
*Celebrate
BBW with Ellen Hopkins and Simon & Schuster
* Click
here to read KRRP's interview with Ellen Hopkins
Visit Web sites of pro-censorship groups
* PABBIS: Parents Against
Bad Books in Schools
* ClassKS: Citizens for Literary
Standards in Schools
*
Citizens for
Academic Responsibility
Additional Resources
* The American Library Association Office for
Intellectual Freedom,
Banned
Books Week Resources.
* The American Library Association Office for Intellectual
Freedom,
Library Bill of Rights.
* The National Coalition Against Censorship,
"The
First Amendment in Schools: Resource Guide"
* The National Council of Teachers of English, "The
Student's Right to Read."
* PEN American Center, Freedom to Write.
Wear a Free Speech
Bracelet, Button, or T-Shirt
* Purchase
Freadom products from ABFFE
*
Purchase Banned Books Week products from the
American
Library Association.
Donate
* ABFFE has designed an attractive donation box for Banned Books Week
that will make this easy. The compact boxes, which are 6" long by 4" wide by 3"
deep, use very little counter space and provide
another way for
booksellers to demonstrate their commitment to free speech. To order the free
donation boxes from ABFFE, email
info@abffe.com.
Exercise Your First Amendment Rights - Read a Banned Book!