Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries, Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information. For more information visit bandbooksweek.org.
Join WCJC Library in celebrating Banned Books Week by sharing your activities on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) every day this week using #WCJCLibrary #BannedBooksWeek
Top 10 Challenged books of the Decade:
For more challenged books of the decade, Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019
Search for more books in the WCJC Library Catalog or use the Libby App for graphic novels and audiobooks:
Click here for Apple App Store download
Click here for Google App Store download
Learn how to install Libby for Kindle Fire
The annual Dear Banned Author letter-writing campaign encourages readers to write, tweet, or email their favorite banned/challenged author during Banned Books Week.
Postcards, author addresses, Twitter handles, and tips can be found on the Dear Banned Author webpage.
Examples of letters are published on the Intellectual Freedom Blog.
Use social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to reach your favorite challenged author or start a conversation about censorship and banned books.
Don't forget to also use the tags: #WCJCLibrary #BannedBooksWeek
Draw, paint, or color the sheets provided! Create something inspired by challenged works or a sign in support of freedom to read what you want to read! Don't forget to post your work to the social media of your choice and use the hashtags #WCJCLibrary and #BannedBookWeek
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| Coloring Page 1 | Coloring Page 3 |
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| Coloring Page 4 | Coloring Page 6 |
Burton will headline a live virtual conversation with Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair Da’Taeveyon Daniels about censorship and advocacy at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 4. The event will stream live on Instagram (@banned_books_week). Visit BannedBooksWeek.org for more details. More information on LeVar Burton is located on the Banned Books Week website.
The Banned Books Week Coalition is a proud partner in Unite Against Book Bans, a national campaign to protect the rights of everyone to access information. Unite provides a comprehensive toolkit, supports those fighting censorship in their communities with advice and resources, and sends targeted messages to mobilize advocates in areas that need it. Add your name here!
Kick back, relax, and watch a movie! You can watch on your own or host a watch party. Movie suggestions are on the "Beyond our Library" tab. We are showing Persepolis for our Theatre Thursday Event. More films and productions can be found on our video databases:
Use the library databases to learn more about censorship and how people have fought it in the past and present. Maybe it will be you in the future!
Thank those who defend the freedom to read every day of the year!
This includes your librarians and instructors who promote reading, research, and the fight against censorship.
Stay informed. If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials by contacting the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). OIF estimates it learns of only 3-18% of book challenges. Find out your library's policy for reviewing challenged materials. Stay updated about intellectual freedom by signing up for the free Intellectual Freedom News newsletter, or reading the Journal for Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.
Attend a Banned Books Week program. Libraries, schools, bookstores and literary communities are celebrating the freedom to read across the world. See a schedule of events on the Banned Books Week calendar.
Stream a Banned Books Week webinar. Designed for libraries and schools to stream as programs during Banned Books Week celebrations, these webinars are a way for library users to explore censorship history and trends in a place that advocates for their freedom to read every day: their own library.
Organize your own Banned Books Week program. This could be at your school, public library, or favorite bookstore. Think “outside the book" when brainstorming ideas. OIF offers an array of resources, such as options for a First Amendment film festival and display ideas. The Banned Books Week Pinterest page hosts a collection of ideas to spark your creativity.
Participate in the Stand for the Banned Virtual Read-out. Join readers from across the world in filming yourself reading from your favorite banned book. The videos are featured on the Banned Books Week YouTube channel.
Write a letter to a favorite banned or challenged author. Take some time to thank a banned or challenged author for their words. Author addresses and Twitter handles can be found on the Dear Banned Author page.
Submit content that address censorship and banned books to the Intellectual Freedom Blog. Posts can be news items, reviews and listicals.
Perform a play about the freedom to read. The Office for Intellectual Freedom offers a complete stage adaption of YA novel The Sledding Hill, written by frequently banned author Chris Crutcher.
Proclaim Banned Books Week at your local library. Use our proclamation template to announce your library’s dedication to the freedom to read.
Stock up on Banned Books Week materials. Every year, OIF produces a line of Banned Books Week products. Show your literary pride with T-shirts, bookmarks and posters, while helping support OIF. We also offer a free downloads page with graphics, official logos and social media tools.
Write a letter to the editor. Edit and adapt this “Read a Banned Book” opinion column for your local newspaper. Include local Banned Books Week programs so your community can support their right to read.
Brush up on banned book history. The latest edition of Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read contains an annotated list of challenged and banned books, as well as the history of literary censorship.
Help spread the word. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to declare your right to read.
Speak out. Announce the importance of unrestricted reading on your local public radio station with a PSA script. Write letters to the editor, your public library director and your school principal supporting the freedom to read. Talk to your friends about why everyone should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families what they read.
Exercise your reading rights. Check out a banned book. Encourage your book club to discuss rebellious reads.
Join the Freedom to Read Foundation. It's dedicated to the legal and financial defense of intellectual freedom, especially in libraries.
Support Banned Books Week with a $25, $50, $100, or $250 donation.
Share how you're celebrating Banned Books Week with OIF at oif@ala.org; your ideas may inspire others!
