This year’s theme, “Let Freedom Read,” is an urgent call to action to defend our fundamental right to read and rally behind the community of readers, library staff, educators, authors, publishers and booksellers who play a pivotal role in nurturing the reading community.
You can participate in Banned Books Week in several ways, including attending virtual events hosted by the ALA, exploring the MI Right to Read take action list or visiting your local CADL branch. Keep reading to learn about how you can celebrate Banned Books and MI Right to Read Week and protect your right to read.
Branch Programs
Can you guess a banned book from only a few shreds of pages? Visit CADL Williamston and submit your best guesses for the chance to win a Schuler’s Books gift card (pictured on right). The winner will be randomly drawn from correct answers. Clues about the books, reasons it was banned and more information about censorship and the freedom to read will be posted in the library. At CADL Mason, check out a banned book to receive a bookmark and be entered to win a gift card to Bestsellers Books & Coffee in downtown Mason.
Book Displays
To help kick off conversations about censorship and inspire readers to explore challenged materials, several of our branches have banned book displays. Consider visiting your CADL branch to browse the book displays and check out a book. A few of our book displays are pictured on the right!
Let Freedom Read Day
This Saturday, Oct. 7 will mark Let Freedom Read Day, the first Banned Books Week day of action. From calling decision-makers to checking out or buying banned books, everyone is encouraged to do at least one thing to defend the right to read. Make sure to share how you’re taking action on social media by using the hashtags #LetFreedomRingDay and #BannedBooksWeek.
Take Action
Don’t forget that you can take action against censorship any day of the year! The ALA and MLA have several resources to help you become an advocate for libraries across the country. For instance, consider joining the MI Right to Read coalition or the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. Visit www.ala.org/advocacy or www.mirighttoread.com/take-action to learn more about how you can get involved.
