Charlotte Mecklenburg Library celebrates Freedom to Read Week!

Libraries across America celebrate Freedom to Read Week each year in support of free expression and the dangers of censorship. In honor of this year’s celebration, which takes place nationally on September 27-October 3, 2020, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is providing programming for ages 0-18 to celebrate intellectual freedom, First Amendment rights and raise awareness for youth and teens about censorship and book banning.

Please consider registering for one of the following virtual events and starting (or continuing) this discussion with any children and teens in your life. Help us celebrate the freedom to read.

ImaginOn Family Storytime: Freedom to Read Week

Monday, September 28, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.

You’re never too young to celebrate the First Amendment, we say! If you have a little one age 0-5, you are welcome to join our special Banned Books storytime, where we will be reading age-appropriate picture books such as And Tango Makes Three, This Day in June or Prince & Knight that have been banned or challenged in other communities for their representation of gay and trans characters. Eight of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2019 were challenged because of LGBTQIA+ content. We invite you to join us virtually with an open heart and an open mind for a gentle storytime celebration of acceptance and free expression. This program will be provided by ImaginOn children’s staff. Register HERE.

ImaginOn Story Explorers: Banned Books Bingo

Wednesday, September 30th at 2 p.m.

What do the Harry Potter series, Captain Underpants, A Wrinkle in Time, and the Goosebumps series all have in common? They are on the top list of the most frequently banned books in America. If you are between ages 5-11 and would like to learn more about what books are banned and challenged in schools across the U.S. and why, please join us for this virtual Banned Books Bingo program. This program will be provided by ImaginOn children’s staff. Register HERE.

Banned Book Teen Trivia

Saturday, October 3rd at 2 p.m.

Calling all trivia fans! Test your knowledge on a variety of topics such as popular and fandom culture to win bragging rights. Come join us for an afternoon of trivia and test your knowledge for Banned Book Read. This program will be provided by South Boulevard Library staff and is recommended for teens ages 12-18. Register HERE.

All three events will take place on Zoom. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting 24 hours before the meeting. Hope to see you there!

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This blog was written by Becca Worthington of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center.