Join us for a series of events celebrating books and your freedom to read! During Banned Books Week we raise awareness about the rise in censorship attempts facing authors, librarians, and teachers across the United States.
Don’t Read This: Banned and Challenged Books Exhibit
Oct. 6-31 on the library’s 1st floor.
With book challenges up 2,000% in the past decade, come browse the literature that sparked debate and discover why these stories were deemed too dangerous to read.
Banned Books Read-In
Monday, October 6, 4:30 p.m.
Hollins Room, Library 3rd floor (Zoom access link)
Join your favorite faculty, students, and staff, to read passages from our favorite banned books! Refreshments will be served. Bring your own passage to read, or choose from a selection of books from our Don’t Read This exhibit. Sign up to read: email ramseywz1@hollins.edu
Silent Book Club for Banned Books
Tuesday, October 7, 4:30 p.m.
Gordh Room, Chapel
Come be quietly subversive…BYOBB (Bring Your Own Banned Book) or use ours! Selected banned books will be provided.
Authors Panel: Banned Children’s Books
Wednesday, October 8, 6:00 p.m.
Virtual-only event: Zoom access link.
The authors panel features Hollins alumna and New York Times bestselling writer Dhonielle Clayton in conversation with fellow children’s authors JR and Vanessa Ford and Elizabeth Dulemba. Dr. e. Dulemba is an author and illustrator and Director of Hollins’ graduate programs in Children’s Literature and Illustration. Clayton is the author of multiple books including the Conjureverse and Belles series, a National Leader for Authors Against Book Bans, and a former school librarian. The Fords co-wrote Calvin, which won a Lambda literary award in 2022; Vanessa Ford is also the co-author of The Advocate Educator’s Handbook.
Reading at Risk: Libraries and Book Bans
Thursday, October 9, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Goodwin Dining Room, Moody (Zoom access link)
Since 2021, a movement to censor books has resulted in thousands of challenges in schools and public libraries. How are they coping? Join a conversation with Botetourt County Public Library Director Julie Phillips about her library’s experience balancing the freedom to read with community concerns.
*Giveaway alert! The first 40 attendees for Reading At Risk will receive a free copy of Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge from the American Library Association.
–The Banned Books week of events is sponsored by Wyndham Robertson Library, the Departments of English & Creative Writing and Children’s Literature, and the Chaplain’s Office.