Banned Books Week 2024 - "Freed Between the Lines"
Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. For more than 40 years, the annual event has brought together the entire book community — librarians, teachers, booksellers, publishers, writers, journalists, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
The theme for Banned Books Week 2024 is "Freed Between the Lines." We can find freedom in the pages of a book — but book bans and censorship threaten that freedom, along with many other rights and institutions. During Banned Books Week 2024 and beyond, let’s share our love of right to read and the freedom found in books. Let’s be Freed Between the Lines!
- American Library Association
Schedule of Events
| All Month |
Banned Book Bingo
How many boxes can you check off? Choose activities from your Bingo card to complete. Mark the corresponding square once an activity is completed. Complete 5 activities in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). Turn in your card to library staff. Winners will be picked by way of a random drawing. The drawing will be on Friday, October 25, 2024 at noon.
Hosted by North Campus |
| Weeklong |
Welcome (Us) to Your (Own) Library - Take a Library Shelfie! (Coming Soon!) Inviting all students, staff, and the community to share a personal bookcase shelfie-selfie. Add a pet! Dress as a fav literary character and share your own home library! |
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| All Week |
Banned Books Week: Book Displays The American Library Association launched Banned Books Week in 1982 in response to the numerous challenges against books. Learning Resources will display a selection of “most challenged books” throughout the years including as recently as 2023. The books featured during this week have all been targeted for restriction or removal from libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to restrict access to or ban books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. Join us to fight against censorship, and to promote the freedom to read.
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| All Week |
Uncovering Banned Books: A Global Challenge
Join us for Banned Books Week by taking part in an interactive exploration of literary censorship. Students are invited to pin the books and reasons behind their challenges to the correct locations on a large world map. This display and activity offers a chance to delve into the stories of banned books and understand the cultural and societal influences that have shaped their journeys. Discover the global significance of these books and celebrate the freedom to read!
Hosted by Hialeah Campus
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| All Week |
Honoring Henrietta Lacks: A Banned Books Week Spotlight Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has been challenged for its candid exploration of Henrietta’s life, medical ethics, and racial disparities. Objections stem from graphic descriptions and intimate details, but the book sparks essential conversations about consent, inequality, and scientific progress. Explore our slideshow display to learn more. Check out a copy of the book or watch the film adaptation. Hosted by Medical Campus
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| All Week |
Uncover the Cover: Banned or Not? Get ready for an exciting literary mystery where you’ll dive into books and guess if they’ve been banned or not. Test your knowledge, discover hidden gems, and challenge censorship in this thrilling event! Hosted by Padrón Campus
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| All Week |
Worldwide Banned Books Display
View banned books from around the world with our display of books.
Hosted by West Campus
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| All Week |
Get Caught Reading a Banned Book!
Use our mugshot backdrop to get caught reading a Banned Book! Choose books from our collection or bring your own favorite!
Hosted by West Campus
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| All Week |
Test Your Banned Book Knowledge
Engage with word puzzles, book games, coloring sheets, and more to become familiar with Banned Books!
Hosted by West Campus
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| All Week |
Library on the Fly
Check out some of the banned books from our collection with this pop-up library!
Hosted by West Campus
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| All Week |
Where in the World Are Books Banned?
This will be a week long display with a world map indicating banned books around the world. A laptop will be set up and students will be able to learn more about the places indicated on the map.
Hosted by Wolfson Campus
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| All Week |
Test Your Knowledge of Banned Books
This display will contain partially wrapped banned books. A quote will be on the cover and students will participate in a passive program where they can guess the title of the banned books.
Hosted by Wolfson Campus |
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11:00am - 1:00pm |
A Banned Point of View: World Map Explore the world through the lens of banned books. As a part of Banned Books Week, Learning Resources has constructed its own world map where you can interact by simply scanning a QR code. Come and see how stories from around the globe have been challenged and why the freedom to read matters everywhere!
Hosted by Homestead Campus |
| 1:00pm |
Dear Banned Author
Write and send a postcard to your favorite banned author! Pass by the Kendall Learning Commons to send a personalized postcard to an author of a banned book. Express your thoughts, support, or encouragement and pickup a cup of coffee while you're at it!
Hosted at Kendall Campus |
| 1:00pm - 3:00pm |
Freedom to Read: A Conversation on Banned Books in Florida
The program will provide a platform for discussion on the significance of intellectual freedom and the growing concern over the banning of books in educational and public institutions. The event will feature a keynote presentation on the current state of book bans in Florida, followed by a fireside chat that includes a diverse panel of librarians, students, and community members. The panelists will share their experiences and perspectives on how these bans are affecting access to diverse literature and the broader implications for education and community well-being. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the panelists during a Q&A session and explore ways to advocate for the freedom to read. The program will conclude with a call to action and networking opportunities for attendees to connect and discuss further. The event is free and open to the public.
Hosted virtually and in-person by Meek Center |
| 12:00pm - 2:00pm |
Bookmark Boutique and Table Talk
Learning Resources presents their very own Bookmark Boutique. Students can craft their own personalized bookmarks using the provided materials. We will also be running Learning Resources very first Table Talk. Our first topic will highlight the theme of Banned Books Week 2024, “Freed Between the Lines.” Patrons will participate in a game where they view a selection of banned book covers and attempt to match each cover to the correct reason for its censorship from a list provided. This combined event aims to promote awareness of the importance of banned books week and celebrate the right to access diverse literature.
Hosted by Homestead Campus |
| 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Talk on Censorship: Exploring the Impact on Comics
Professor Sagorski from the English department will give a thought-provoking discussion on censorship and its impact on the world of comics. This talk will explore how graphic novels and comic books have been challenged, restricted, and banned for their bold storytelling, powerful imagery, and diverse themes. We'll delve into the role of comics in pushing boundaries, addressing social issues, and sparking dialogue, while examining the consequences of limiting creative expression in this unique art form.
Hosted virtually & in person by North Campus |
| 1:00pm - 3:00pm |
Knowledge Knight(mare)!
Join us for this interactive role playing escape room: Your worst nightmare has finally happened: the school principal has closed the library forever due to disagreements about gaining information! Work together to find a convincing argument against such censorship!
Hosted by Hialeah Campus |
| 9:50am - 11:15am |
Talk on Censorship: The Fight for Freedom of Expression
Join us for an engaging talk on censorship, led by Dr. Lenaghan, professor of government, in which we will talk about censorship in the world's three largest democracies: India, Indonesia, and the USA. This event will delve into the history of censorship, the reasons behind it, and its effects on the free exchange of ideas. Learn how censorship challenges creative expression, intellectual freedom, and the right to access diverse perspectives. Whether you're a reader, creator, or curious learner, this discussion will shed light on the ongoing fight for the freedom to read, write, and think freely.
Hosted virtually & in person by North Campus |
| 11:00am |
I'm with the Banned
Join Learning Resources for a discussion on Censorship and what it means to be Banned - The history, process, and implications. Explore what makes art & literature “bad”, dangerous, or harmful. All points of view welcome!
Hosted at Kendall Campus |
| 11:30am - 2:45pm |
Banned Books Week T-Shirt Contest Celebrate the freedom to read! In honor of Banned Books Week, Learning Resources is hosting a t-shirt design contest to raise awareness about censorship and banned books. Participants are encouraged to create a design that captures the spirit of fighting censorship, celebrates diverse voices, and highlights the power of literature. Judging will take place at 3:00 pm. Hosted in person by North Campus |
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For more information, please contact Zoila De Yurre Fatemain: 305-237-7454 or zdeyurre@mdc.edu. |
