Wichita Public Library joins libraries across the country to celebrate Banned Books Week September 18-24, 2022. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
The Library will celebrate Banned Books Week with special programs and community events based around banned or challenged books:
- Film screening of “The Lovely Bones” 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, September 19 at the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St.
- Friends of the Library will host a half-price book sale 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, September 21 at the used bookstore inside the Advanced Learning Library
- ·Film screening of “The Giver” 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 21 at the Evergreen Community Center and Library, 2601 N. Arkansas
- Special live episode of the “Read. Return. Repeat.” podcast featuring Sherman Alexie, author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, September 23 at the Advanced Learning Library
Residents can participate in the “Banned Book Medallion Search.” Daily clues will be posted to the Library’s social media accounts leading residents to a hidden 3D printed banned book medallion somewhere in Wichita. The first person to find the medallion and bring it to a library location will win a banned books prize package.
Teens are invited to recreate the cover of a banned book on a bookmark that will be printed and given away at Library locations. Information is available online and at all locations.
Last year, library staff talked with Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, for the “Read. Return. Repeat.” podcast: https://youtu.be/-pNrGz4ZlLk.
More information is available at wichitalibrary.org/bannedbooks.
