Banned Books Week Handbook: Event Ideas for Booksellers - American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression

Event Ideas for Booksellers

Looking for some event ideas for Banned Books Week?

Stage a Banned Books Reading in Your Store! Choose titles from ABFFE's Banned and Challenged Book List, and recruit local celebrities or solicit volunteers to read. Hold readings in a store window or in a special "Banned Book Reading Corner." Banned book readings can be a one time event or an ongoing opportunity for customers to come in and read a selection. You can also organize a "Banned Books Marathon;" see how long you can keep it going! When you're finished (or as you go), don't forget to upload video of your store's readers to the Banned Books Week Internet Read-Out on YouTube. (Need help? Here are some simple instructions from ABFFE)

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Check out what other bookstores, librarians, universities, and civil liberties organizations have done in the past:

	ATM-ART, a Dutch/Danish/Chinese art team brought Banned Books Week to Europe in 2010. The team created a Banned Books Week sculpture made out of banned or challenged books. The Danish Royal Library displayed the sculpture from September 25 to October 16. The Library also put banned books on display inside. The group plans to erect a similar sculpture in Amsterdam.
	Book People's Banned Books Week featured a week of fun events, including two Read-A-Thons, in which famous local writers, elected officials, and nonprofit notables read excerpts from books banned or challenged in the state of Texas during the previous year.
	Kansas State University hosted a Read-A-Thon for Banned Books Week
	In 2007, San Jose State University hosted a program during which students debated the pros and cons of book censorship. SJSU students also publicly performed Allen Ginsberg's controversial poem "Howl."
	In 2009, Duke theater studies Lecturing Fellow Jay O'Berski teamed up with the Durham County Library to dramatize scenes from frequently challenged books.
	St. Ambrose University Library held an Edible Book contest and played Banned Books Week Bingo for 2009's celebration.
	Tacoma, Washington-based King's Books celebrated Banned Books Week 2005 with a panel discussion, a film night, and storytime. The store even collaborated with a local letterpress printer to create a unique Banned Books Week matchbook-style book. This year, the store has already begun meetings of the Banned Books Club.

Take further action:

	Exhibit Reading Your Rights
	Contact your local ACLU affiliate and organize a joint event.
	Coordinate larger events with fellow booksellers, book lovers, teachers, or your local library.
	Host screenings of topical films like Damned in the USA and Jailed for Their Words.
	Invite authors for signings and Q&A sessions. Explore some of the decades most frequently challenged books for authors whose work might be relevant.
	Reach out to youth in your community by organizing discussion groups and other events during which young people recount their experiences with book challenges and censorship. Consider holding a Banned Books Week essay or art contest. Use ABFFE's Freadom merchandise, ALA promotional materials, or banned books themselves as prizes.
	Write a Banned Books Week-themed op-ed for your local newspaper or celebrate the freedom to blog!

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