It’s Banned Books Week. Here’s how to get involved in Pennsylvania

Banned Books Week is held annually to highlight the value of the printed word. Here’s how Pennsylvania will be celebrating the event.

Banned Books Week is being celebrated across the country this week. The annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information.

Banned Books Week was created in 1982 by Judith Krug, a prominent First Amendment and library activist and a native of Pittsburgh, in response to a growing number of challenges to books in schools, libraries, and bookstores.

Now, decades later, libraries, educational institutions, and organizations across the country and right here in Pennsylvania are hosting Banned Books Week events to raise awareness of the attacks upon books. . 

Pennsylvania saw the second-most individual attempts to limit access to certain books in 2023, according to the nonprofit American Library Association. The commonwealth was tied with California for book challenges at 52. Only Illinois had more with 69, according to the ALA.

In total, 218 book titles were challenged in Pennsylvania schools and libraries in those attempted bans.

Whether you’re a passionate reader or a staunch opponent of censorship, here are some events — both in person and online — you can take part in to celebrate Banned Books week.

In-Person Events

Bethlehem

Celebrate Banned Books Week by sharing and/or listening to a passage from books that have faced censorship or bans on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Student Life Zone on the Bethlehem campus of Northampton Community College.

Oakland

The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the ACLU-PA is hosting a special program that features local personalities reading from their favorite banned or challenged books on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall in Oakland.

Philadelphia

Temple University and the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio are hosting a book-binding event on Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third floor of the Charles Library in the Innovation Space. Learn how to bind a book, or create a collage with banned books and other art supplies.

Pittsburgh

The University of Pittsburgh is hosting a study break featuring interactive displays and button making to celebrate banned books Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. on the first floor of the Hillman Library.

Tannersville

Celebrate Banned Books Week by sharing and/or listening to a passage from books that have faced censorship or bans on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the cafeteria on the Pocono campus of Northampton Community College.

Online Events

Fighting Book Bans and Censorship with Author Jodi Picoult

Best selling author Jodi Picoult knows about book bans. Her books have been banned in libraries and schools around the country for discussions of sexuality and gender. Picoult will talk about standing up to censorship, the freedom to read, and what can be done to support authors and the right to access diverse literature on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Red, Wine and Blue. Click here to register.

Behind the Ban: How Censorship Impacts Our Communities

Presented by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, this event will discuss the impact of censorship on libraries, readers, and authors; why it’s so essential to protect the stories that are being targeted by censors; and how we can stand up for the right to read. Ittakes place Monday at 2 p.m. Click here to register.

Selected Shorts: Banned Books with Host Judy Blume

Sponsored by Unite Against Book Bans, celebrate the power of literature with Judy Blume as she takes the stage for an evening of funny and gripping tales that push boundaries. The event takes place Wednesday at 7 p.m. Click here to register.

For more online events hosted by the ALA throughout banned books week, click here.

EveryLibrary

EveryLibrary, the national political action committee for libraries, will host “EveryLibrary Live! Banned Books Week 2024,” an online literary festival taking place across social media through Friday. 

This event will bring together over 45 authors, publishing professionals, and free expression advocates across 25 online panels to discuss the joy of writing, the culture of reading, the challenges of censorship, and the celebration of the First Amendment. Events are happening daily at 12 p.m. Click here to see the free events that are open to the public.