By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restrictions in libraries and schools. While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read. Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community– librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types – in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. (www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/bbw)
Individually or with a partner, create an infographic that will educate library visitors about a text that has been challenged or banned here in the United States. Infographics will be on display in the front of the US library during Banned Books Week (Sept 23-29).
Your infographic should include the following:
Cover of the featured book
Amazon or Barnes & Noble synopsis of the book (use quotation marks; CITE SOURCE)
If you prefer to write your own summary, that’s fine too!
Reason(s) why it was challenged/banned
Most recent case and outcome
Come visit Ms. Sisson in the English department office if you are having trouble finding this information. She have some resources that might be helpful.
One question that pushes viewers to think about the literary value of the text and/or the benefits/consequences that might result from removing the book from library shelves
Banned Books Week logo (below; can be downloaded or copy/pasted from here)
Print TWO copies (full color) on 11x17 paper (download as PDF or PNG from Canva; print to US Library Canon on 11x17 setting). Deliver your two printed copies to Ms. Matlack in the US Library by 8:00am on Friday, September 21.
Essential Resources:
American Library Association: ALA's resource on Banned Books Week (includes a list of reasons behind many past book challenges)
Banned Books Week Coalition: Official site of Banned Books Week (you will also use their logo)
Canva: Web-based design program you will use to produce your infographic​
Additional information and inspiration:
Banned Books Infographics: A collection of infographics about banned/challenged books
First Amendment Center: Overview of the First Amendment as it related to libraries and book challenges
Freedom to Read Foundation: Summary of some banned/challenged book cases from the FTRF
You may use Amazon or Barnes & Noble listings for your book synopsis. You might also find this on individual publisher and/or author websites. You can find information about specific cases on various news websites as well as in our library's databases (try EBSCO, Newspapers from Gale, or NY Times). See Ms. Matlack if you need any help with locating information or using library resources.
