Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read has been observed during the last week of September each year since 1982. This annual event, sponsored by the American Library Association and other professional associations, reminds us not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.
Banned Books Week emphasizes the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.
During Banned Books Week September 22-28, readers from across the United States and around the world will demonstrate their support for free speech by participating in a Virtual Read-Out of banned and challenged books. Participants, libraries and bookstores will upload videos at http://tinyurl.com/bbwvro13 for posting to the Banned Books Week YouTube Channel. Contributors are encouraged to share a reading, discuss the significance of their favorite banned book, or mention a local book challenge. Do consider participating!
More than 1,500 videos have been submitted since the read-out began in 2011, including many by bestselling authors. Here are just a couple:
Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak:
Sherman Alexie, author of Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian:
Please check the Banned Books Week YouTube Channel for more videos, and these link for more information about Banned Books Week:
Banned Books Week: Celebrating 30 Years of Liberating Literature interactive timeline display
Books Challenged or Banned 2012-2013 by Robert Doyle
Frequently Challenged Top Novels of the 20th Century includes where challenged and the reasons for the challenge
Most Frequently Challenged Authors of the 21st Century
Please visit the Mira Costa Library to see our Banned Books Week Display, and participate in our Banned Books Week Contest. The contest requires you to answer several easy questions about frequently banned or challenged books. You can download the Banned Books 2013 Contest Form here. Submissions are due by Wednesday, October 10. Check the links above to help you with clues.