CHICAGO – The American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Information Office (PIO) is gearing up to work with the Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) on the 28th annual Banned Books Week, held Sept. 26 – Oct. 3.

Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week is an annual event sponsored by ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). It celebrates the freedom to read and reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

This year’s celebration will kick off on Sept. 26 with a “Read-Out!” event at historic Bughouse Square on Chicago’s North Side. Authors will perform readings from their banned or “challenged” books and will sign copies of their works. 

Online resources are available to help local libraries publicize Banned Books Week activities. Free downloads, display ideas, activity ideas, PSA scripts, a letter to the editor and a proclamation are available at www.ala.org/bbooks.  Posters, bookmarks, buttons and a BBW resource guide are available for purchase. 

For more information on Banned Books Week or the Read-Out! event, please visit www.ala.org/bbooks or contact Jennifer Petersen at (312) 280-5043, jpetersen@ala.org.