28th annual Banned Books Week a hit with national media

Contact: Jennifer Petersen


ALA PR Coordinator


312-280-5043


jpetersen@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


October 6, 2009

CHICAGO - As thousands of libraries across the country celebrated the 28th annual Banned Books Week Sept. 26 – Oct. 3,
a variety of high-level media provided coverage of programs and events.

The American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Information Office (PIO) worked closely with the Office for Intellectual Freedom, Banned Books Week’s
sponsors, to develop effective media materials to support Banned Books Week publicity efforts.

Media outreach resulted in hundreds of placements with print, radio and online news outlets, including The Associated Press,
Huffington Post,
Los Angeles Times,
Christian Science Monitor,
Chicago Tribune,
Barnes&Noble.com,
The Guardian,
Boston Globe,
School Library Journal,
PBS.org and CBC Radio Network.

This year’s celebration kicked off on Sept. 26 with a “Read-Out!” event at Chicago’s historic Bughouse Square. Authors performed readings from their banned or “challenged” books and signed copies of their works. More than 250 people attended this three-hour event.

Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week, which will be held Sept. 26 – Oct. 3, 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.

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