Anythink libraries will celebrate Banned Books Week from Sept. 22-28, 2013, with a variety of activities and experiences for customers of all ages. Banned Books Week is the national book community’s annual celebration of the freedom to read, bringing awareness to the hundreds of books that are challenged and banned each year. 

This year’s Banned Books Week programs include dramatic readings of excerpts from last year’s top 10 most frequently challenged books by the Outlaw Production Company and a comprehensive look at censorship today featuring a Q&A session with ACLU representative, lawyer and professor Charles Nadler. In addition, family programs like “Charlotte’s Web Unraveled” will encourage young customers to learn about E.B. White’s classic and often-challenged novel Charlotte’s Web while creating crafts geared just for kids. All programs are free and open to the public.

Community members are also invited to explore the educational and thought-provoking exhibition “Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings” on display until Sept. 28, 2013, at Anythink Wright Farms in Thornton, Colo. The exhibition, produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., is a comprehensive examination of the Nazi book burnings, featuring free-standing graphic panels with reproductions of photographs, newspapers, posters, documents and books, as well as audio-visual components with historic film footage. The exhibition, which invites participants to learn about this historic event and how it continues to resonate today, aligns with Anythink’s participation in this year’s Banned Books Week. 

Banned Books Week Events at Anythink Sept. 22-28, 2013 

All Ages Programs

Banned Books Week: Tag Team Read Aloud
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 11 am-7 pm
Anythink Perl Mack, 7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver, CO 80221
This daylong event highlights challenged books in America. Passages from books will be read out loud throughout the entire day. Sign-up sheets are available to anyone interested in participating. All ages welcome. Please visit Anythink’s online calendar to register. 

Banned Book Pendants
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 3:30-5 pm
Anythink Commerce City, 7185 Monaco St., Commerce City, CO 80022
Create a unique craft using game tiles to make pendants and earrings featuring photos of banned book covers or other messages. Wear your support for the freedom to read!

Children’s Programs

Charlotte’s Web Unraveled
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6 pm
Anythink York Street, 8990 York St., Thornton, CO 80229
Learn about the much loved and often challenged children’s book by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web. Create special crafts geared just for kids. Space is limited; registration is recommended. Please visit Anythink’s online calendar to register.

Teen Programs

Altered Books
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013
Anythink Huron Street, 9417 Huron St., Thornton, CO 80260
Celebrate your freedom to read by creating a unique work of art from a book. Draw, sew fold, cut, tear and create 3-D structures to give new life to an unwanted book. All materials and supplies provided. Students in grades 6-12 welcome.

Banned Books Week Read-Out
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4:15 pm
Anythink York Street, 8990 York St., Thornton, CO 80229
Explore your freedom to read, think and do whatever interests you with Anythink. Join special guests for interactive and expressive activities focused on learning about why some books have been challenged or banned. We’ll also create a video celebrating the freedom to read. Space is limited; registration is recommended. Please visit Anythink's online calendar to register. 

Adult Programs 

Books on the Chopping Block
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 pm
Anythink Brighton, 327 E. Bridge St., Brighton, CO 80601
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2 pm
Anythink Huron Street, 9417 Huron St., Thornton, CO 80260
Don’t just read banned books – experience them. The Outlaw Production Company will present dramatic readings of excerpts from last year’s top 10 most frequently challenged books.

 
Censorship Today
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6:30-8 pm
Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120^th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602
What does censorship look like today? Explore issues of censorship as they relate to education, media, employment, law and the Internet. Join ACLU representative, lawyer and law professor Charles Nadler for an interactive Q&A session regarding First Amendment rights. Light refreshments will be provided.

All programs are free and open to the public.