Indies Share Banned Books Week Plans on New Website

A growing number of bookstores and libraries are sharing their plans for Banned Books Week, which begins next Saturday, September 27, via the new site www.bannedbooksweek.org. Created this summer by the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the American Library Association, the website is a place for the general public to learn more about this year's celebration and to find nearby events.

Among indie bookstores posting plans are Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; King's Books in Tacoma, Washington; and The Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, New York.

Moravian Book Shop "will have a big scroll that will say 'I read banned books!' at the top, and we'll be inviting not only customers, but also local elected officials, to sign it," said Stephanie Anderson. "Two, we'll be asking customers to vote for their favorite banned book all week and will randomly select one ballot to be awarded a banned books bracelet. We'll have a display of banned books as well, both in-store and in the window."

King's Books, which always pays extensive homage to Banned Books Week, plans to create a display and hold several events, including two panel discussions: one on Internet Filtering and another on Intellectual Freedom. At a Banned Films Night, King's Books will show two movies -- one about censorship (Fahrenheit 451) and one that has been banned (Freaks). For children, King's Books will host Storytime With Banned Books. Staff will read from King and King, In the Night Kitchen, The Story of Little Black Sambo, and newly-challenged works like Uncle Bobby's Wedding.

In New York, The Spotty Dog is planning a Banned Books display as well as related events. A Children's Story Hour will feature the most-often challenged title in 2006, And Tango Makes Three, and the Banned and Challenged Books Club will discuss The Call of the Wild.

To see what other stores are doing for Banned Books Week, and to post store events, visit www.bannedbooksweek.org. Ideas and resources can be found in ABFFE's Banned Books Week Handbook, freely available at abffe.com. For more information about Banned Books Week, visit abffe.com or contact Rebecca Zeidel at (212) 587-4025, ext. 13 or via e-mail to rebecca@abffe.com.