Official email from Cindy Kohl, ALA President:

During this critical time when citizens are acutely aware of the importance of civic engagement, we’re excited to share information about how you can mobilize your community in supporting libraries and the freedom to read: Banned Books Week 2024 (Sept. 22-28) and the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action (Oct. 19). 

Banned Books Week 2024 

Banned Books Week kicks off this Sunday, featuring the theme “Freed Between the Lines,” award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay as honorary chair, and student activist Julia Garnett as youth honorary chair. 

Banned Books Week is an important time to engage readers through education, advocacy, and programming about the problem of book censorship. Libraries and other organizations across the country will host a wide range of events, and ALA will offer several free, virtual programs (for some, registration is required) to inspire and inform. Events will feature honorary chairs Ava DuVernay and Julia Garnett, as well as bestselling authors like Eliot Schrefer (Queer Ducks (and Other Animals)), Patricia McCormick (Sold), Christina Soontornvat (The Squad (The Tryout #2)), Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock), and more! Be sure to check back for event updates throughout the week. 

On Saturday, September 28, Banned Books Week will wrap up with the second annual Let Freedom Read Day, when we’re asking everyone to get ready to take at least one action to defend against censorship and stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers, and booksellers who make them available. Whether you have five minutes, or an hour or more, please join us by taking one action next Sunday! 

Freedom to Read Community Day of Action 

Finally, we hope you’ll capitalize on the energy and interest generated by Banned Books Week and participate in the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19. 

ALA and Unite Against Book Bans have partnered with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library to provide everything you need to host an event or engage on social media. Sign up to join organizations in more than 30 states that will host an event on October 19! 

To be responsive to our members in diverse areas around the country, promotional materials and graphics are available with and without the ALA logo, as well as for customization in Canva. Other templates, including a media alert, are available in editable formats, for customization to best suit your community. 

We are grateful to all of our members for serving their communities in a good way, today and always. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, and I welcome your feedback. Thank you and I appreciate your support!

Cindy Hohl
ALA President

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