UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — To take action against book bans, Penn State University Libraries is collaborating with Libro.fm and Silent Book Club to host a Banned Books Week Read-in on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Pattee Library on the University Park campus. The free event offers students and community members the opportunity to celebrate their freedom to read.
The read-in takes place in the Leisure Reading Room, first floor Central Pattee Library, from noon until 4 p.m. All are welcome and participants are encouraged to drop in and out as they please.
“As the saying goes ‘free people read freely’ and this banned books read-in supports that freedom to read,” said Emily Rimland, head of Library Learning Services and an organizer for the event.
Attendees can download a free audiobook copy of “Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” by Kirsten Miller, from Libro.fm, while supplies last. The event offers readers a chance to relax and read or listen to a banned book, check out books, make a zine page or peruse the displays. Light refreshments will be offered to readers, as well as an opportunity to create a personal zine page that contributes to an event zine reflecting the creativity and thoughts of the event’s participants.
Proposed censorship measures in several states threaten the right to read certain books in our nation's libraries and could result in librarians facing criminal charges for the books they provide, according to EveryLibrary.org, a grassroots organization dedicated to library support.
“If these censorship measures succeed, the freedom for Americans to choose books for themselves may be jeopardized,” said Rimland. “Join the read-in to protest, learn more and take action against bans.”
Browse the Banned Books virtual bookshelf in the Libby app to borrow and download ebooks and audiobooks to a phone or tablet, with a Penn State user ID and Libby account. For information about this event, including inquiries regarding accessibility and space accommodation, contact Megan Gilpin at mcg13@psu.edu or Monica Gingerich at mcg5660@pu.edu.
Penn State University Libraries is committed to building a community of belonging for all. Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class.