Monday, Sept 23, 4:00 pm, MUW Library Tiered Classroom
"Fanning the flames: Why book bans are on the rise and what we can do about it,” featuring Dr. Shannon Oltmann, author and scholar of intellectual freedom.
Book banning has sharply escalated in the past four years, driven by partisan groups and misplaced concern for children. In this talk, we’ll explore why book bans and censorship are happening more frequently and discuss what can be done to stand up against book bans. We will also talk about the importance of having diverse books available to everyone, followed by plenty of time for discussion and questions. The event will be recorded and live-streamed. Click here to join via Zoom.
Campus walk-through of Banned Book yard signs, starting at the entrance of campus, featuring different titles that were banned or challenged and data about book banning in the U.S. Learn more about banned and challenged books before the Banned Books Exhibit Reception at 5:30 in Summer Hall Galleries.
September 23rd, 5:30 – 6:30 pm – MUW Galleries
The exhibit will feature student and professional artists who have engaged in themes about and within books that have been banned or censored. To submit your work, email jmdrouillard@muw.edu for an entry form. More information soon!
Wednesday, Sept 25, 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Friendly City Books
This year's read-aloud will feature The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. Walls' book was the 17th most banned book from the 2010s, and she is the Welty Gala speaker for 2024. The first 25 people to sign up to read will receive a free copy of The Glass Castle. Scroll down for the sign up form. Refreshments will be available.
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. 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 express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
Banned Books Week 2024 will be September 22-27. The theme of this year’s event is "Freed Between the Lines."
This project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Mississippi Humanities Council. All events and activities are free and open to the public.