September 18 - 24 is Banned Books Week, a yearly celebration of our freedom to read (and write, and think!) what we want, while calling attention to the harms of censorship. And 2022 has been a banner year for censorship, so there's a lot to pay attention to. Stop by the library (either Main or Chico) to:
- Check out our displays about current book challenges, with a special focus on LGBT books -- books about race and sexuality tend to be the most challenged, and this year it's gone right off the rails.
- Read our special timeline about the novelist Salman Rushdie, who was attacked last month while speaking on-stage. Learn about 30+ years of violence over one novel.
- Make your own mini art book featuring your favorite offensive books!
- Grab a bracelet, sticker, or other swag to show off your support of the freedom to read.
- Borrow an objectionable book to read!
- Take a look at our online guide to Banned Books Week, which features a ton of great information about censorship and why it's important to fight it.
- The newsletter we wrote back in February about the rise in book bans still makes for relevant (and scary!) reading.
