The DePaul University Library is teaming up with the University Center for Writing-based Learning in celebration of Banned Books Week!
The American Library Associations Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted banning of books across the United states.
Events scheduled through DePaul include:
- Monday, September 28th read-out, pop-up shop, and information table 11am-1pm DePaul Student Center Atrium, Lincoln Park Campus
Join members of the DePaul community as they read passages from banned books aloud, browse our selection of subversive titles and check out one to take home—some titles may surprise you! Anyone who stops by can also create a Banned Books Week button for their backpack, and will be entered into a raffle to win a tote bag and a copy of this year’s most challenged title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
- Wednesday, September 30th pop-up shop and info table 11am-1pm, 11th Floor DePaul Center, Loop Campus
Learn more about why books are banned or challenged, browse our selection of subversive titles and check one out to take home—some titles may surprise you! Anyone who stops by can also create a Banned Books Week button for their backpack, and will be entered into a raffle to a win a tote bag and a copy of this year’s most challenged title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
- Friday, October 2nd “Books on the Chopping Block” presented by City Lit Theater Company 2pm-3pm, John T. Richardson Library Room 115, Lincoln Park Campus
“Books on the Chopping Block” is a 60-minute performance of dramatic readings of short excerpts taken from the ten most challenged books of 2014. This year’s performance will feature excerpts from Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, among others. Please join us for their performance, Q&A and light refreshments.
The Library will also be hosting an ongoing exhibit “Banned, Censored, Challenged: Reading as a Subversive Activity” in the 1st floor exhibit cases, John T. Richardson Library, Lincoln Park Campus. This exhibit features books from DePaul Library’s collections that have been banned, censored or challenged in a variety of contexts.