Every year, bookstores, libraries, universities, and organizations host engaging programs that spotlight censorship.

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Community Read-In for Banned Books Week

Croton Free Library 171 Cleveland Dr, Croton-on-Hudson, NY, United States

Kick off Banned Books Week with a Community Read-In! Library staff and community guests will host a public storytime and read aloud from children's books that have been banned or challenged in the last decade. Adults, teens, and older kids are welcome to just bring a blanket or lawn chair and read together on the ... Read More

Free

Books Unite Us Censorship Divides Us @ Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries

Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY, United States

All 37 Buffalo & Erie County (NY) Public Libraries are participating in a community awareness and informational campaign beginning with Banned Books Week. To help spread the word about the increasing number of book challenges, Libraries are offering special edition freedom to read library cards for those who live, work or attend school in Erie ... Read More

Booktoberfest: Banned Books Panel

Planet Word 925 13th St NW, Washington, DC, United States

The capstone of Shout Mouse Press's Booktoberfest event will be a thoughtful panel discussion on banned books (2:30-3:30pm) moderated by Glory Edim (Well-Read Black Girl) to honor Banned Books Week. Other panelists include: Keesha Ceran of Social Justice Books, 2022 SLJ Librarian of the Year K.C. Boyd, and two of Shout Mouse Press authors, Sasa Aakil ... Read More

Free

The Dangers & Consequences of Banning Books – Dealing with Gender and Sexuality

Crane Branch Library - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library 633 Elmwood Ave, BUFFALO, NY, United States

An interview and discussion with Weston Brown at Buffalo's Crane Branch Library. Weston will discuss growing up homeschooled and denied books with representation, being cut off from his family after coming out, and his rise as an advocate for books against a mother determined to erase queer representation from schools and libraries.

Worcester Public Library – Let Freedom Read! Statewide Read-in

Worcester Public Library 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA, United States

Head to the Worcester Public Library for Let Freedom Read, a statewide read-in to celebrate the freedom to read on Tuesday, October 3 from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Main Library. According to the American Library Association, libraries across the nation and here in Massachusetts have experienced a surge in the number of book challenges ... Read More

Free

Kids’ Books for Everyone Book Club

Cambridge Public Library - O'Neill Branch 70 Rindge Ave, Cambridge, MA, United States

People of all ages who enjoy children's books can read and discuss together. In October we will read Front Desk by Kelly Yang, then meet for refreshments and discussion. Copies of the book are available at the O'Neill Branch. This month's book has been selected in honor of Banned Books Week. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating ... Read More

Free

Banned Books Week Reception: Little Library Launch

Commons South Patio Lawn 18th Ave S & Horton Ave, Nashville, TN, United States

Join us for the kickoff of Banned Books Week, an annual celebration of the freedom to read, draws attention to banned and challenged books, and highlights persecuted individuals. We will launch the opening of our own campus "little banned books library," with a discussion of how reading banned books can be a form of advocacy and activism. ... Read More

Defending Access: Librarian Perspectives on Banned Books

Bernath Auditorium, Wayne State University 5155 Gullen Mall, Detroit, MI, United States +1 more

When intellectual freedom is at risk, librarians are often on the front lines of protecting communities’ access to information. Hear from alumni librarians about their experiences and what they’re doing to defend our right to read. Join Wayne State University’s School of Information Sciences’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Program Planning Committee for the panel ... Read More

Free

We Will Not Be Erased: A Banned Books Event

VAE Raleigh 228 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC, United States

WE WILL NOT BE ERASED: A BANNED BOOKS WEEK EVENT This year has seen a significant rise in the number of books facing challenges and bans, with a notable focus on works authored by Black and LGBTQ+ writers, as reported by PEN America. Adding to these challenges, North Carolina is contending with increased censorship and ... Read More

Free

Defending Democracy

Lynn City Hall Auditorium 3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA, United States

Join Lynn Museum/LynnArts and the Grand Army of the Republic Museum for a special program at the Lynn Auditorium on Wednesday, October 4th, at 6 p.m. This event is free, and all are welcome to attend! Hear from community members and experts as they discuss economic inequality, book banning, voter suppression, and the marginalization of Black ... Read More

Free

Banned Books Initiative: Panel Discussion

Central Library Community Room 419 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN, United States

Book bans and censorship affect the entire community -- from librarians, authors, and journalists to teachers, community leaders, and readers of all types. This panel discussion, part of Banned Books Week, will focus on the affect of banned and challenged books on the community, as well as touch on the role of advocacy in fighting these ... Read More

Students Protecting Education

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Central Library 1 Lafayette Square, BUFFALO, NY, United States

Come join Jillian Yarnes & Luke Lippitt, co-founders of the local Students Protecting Education chapter, as they discuss how they formed the group at Orchard Park High School, ways to empower students, and the danger of book bans. Gay & Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York will also be on hand to discuss the ... Read More

Banned Books Book Club

Virtual Event

Book to be reviewed Ruby Bridges’s This is Your Time, New York Times bestseller and CBC Kid’s Book Choice Award Winner. Also: banned book. This is Your Time will electrify people of all ages as the struggles for liberty and justice for all continues and the powerful legacy of Ruby Bridges endures.

free

Lunch & Learn: Banned Books

Virtual Event +1 more

Join us for our Banned Books Lunch and Learn on October 6th at 12 p.m. We will be discussing the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Banned Books  This event is available in person and on Zoom. To register for Zoom go to bit.ly/vplbanned

Free

Freedom to Read: NYC Library Leaders on Censorship & Photographs by Kimberly Butler

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), 7th Floor Event Center 455 5th Ave, New York, United States

Join The New York Public Library during Banned Books Week for a discussion about censorship in literature and the pivotal role public libraries play in championing the right to access a range of perspectives and ideas. Plus, discover photographs by Kimberly Butler, whose work explores censorship and banned books through visual media. This event will take ... Read More

Let Freedom Read: Banned Books Week 2023

Riverhead Free Library 330 Court Street, Riverhead, NY, United States

Book challenges and censorship in both public and school libraries has increased exponentially. The presenter will help us understand why this is happening and what we can do about it.

Free

Freedom Readers Book Club of Champaign Urbana

Champaign Public Library 200 West Greet Street, Champaign, IL, United States

"...Because we adults must continue to learn to pass the information on..." ---Nicole Anderson Cobb, PhD, Convener, Freedom Readers Book Club of Champaign Urbana *** "Freadom" image provided from African American Policy Forum Summer School 2023*** ------------------------------------------------------- Greetings from Nicole Anderson Cobb, PhD, Convener, Freedom Readers Book Club of Champaign-Urbana! I have launched this book ... Read More

Florida’s War on Books

Delray Beach Public Library 100 W Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL, United States

A talk by educator Dr. Margery Marcus on the history of censorship and book banning in Floridas schools and libraries. Sponsored by the South Florida chapter of the Women’s National Book Association and Delray Beach Public Library.

Free

Silent Book Club – Banned Books

Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI, United States

Silent Book Club is a unique and relaxing social gathering that combines the joy of reading with the pleasure of shared company. Participants come together to read silently, followed by lively discussions (if they choose) about the books they've read. It's the perfect blend of solitude and social interaction for book enthusiasts of all kinds. ... Read More

Free