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Banned Books Week:
Celebrating the Freedom to Read

September 26−October 3, 2009

Press Kit

Media Contacts: Macey Morales, Manager, ALA Media Relations, 312-280-4393, mmorales@ala.org; Jennifer Petersen, ALA PR Coordinator, 312-280-5043, jpetersen@ala.org

(c) Bill Barnes & Gene Abaum Unshelved.com

(c) Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum unshelved.com Reprinted with permission.

Banned Books Week (BBW): Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual American Library Association (ALA) event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

Read-Out! Chicago

September 26, 2009
               Noon
      Bughouse Square
              Chicago

On Saturday, September 26, 2009 in historic Bughouse Square, Chris Crutcher will host authors of six of the ten most challenged books of 2008, as they read from their work and share their experiences as targets of censors.

The readings begin at noon and will be followed by book signings by all the authors. City Lit Theatre Company and Chicago Public Library Readers' Theatre will perform work from frequently challenged authors who couldn't join us in Chicago. The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, the McCormick Freedom Museum, and the Newberry Library are proud to continue to sponsor this event.

Book Challenges/Banning

Frequently Challenged Books

“Books Challenged or Banned in 2008-2009″ (PDF)

Definitions to Clarify Terminology Associated with Challenges

Number of Challenges by Year, Reason, Institution, & Initiator (1990 - 2008)

New Book Censorship Map Reveals National Problem
Have you ever wondered where challenges to books in the United States actually occur? A new book censorship map featured on the BannedBooksWeek.org site illustrates that censorship efforts take place all across the country.