Celebrate Banned Books Week Handbook 2018

CELEBRATE BANNED BOOKS WEEK HANDBOOK G N I N N BA BOOKS S E C N E SIL S E I R O ST SPEAK OUT! Banned Books Week 2018

BANNED BOOKS WEEK COALITION

HAPPY BANNED BOOKS WEEK! Banned Books Week 2018, the annual celebration of the freedom to read, will be held September 23–29 at libraries, schools, booksellers, museums, and other locales around the world. The 2018 theme, “Banning Books Silences Stories,” is a reminder that everyone needs to speak out against the tide of censorship.

What does it mean to speak out for challenged and banned books? For the members of the Banned Books Week Coalition, it means taking direct action to prevent censorship by writing letters of support, providing resources for the defense of challenged materials, developing proactive and preventive tools for individuals on the front lines, and even taking legal action when to occasion calls for it. For educators and librarians, it sometimes means putting careers on the line to defend material that a minority finds objectionable. For students, it means taking action like walk-outs, sit-ins, and starting petitions to defend banned material. For booksellers and creators, it can mean putting livelihoods and even personal safety at risk to defend free expression.

At its heart, Banned Books Week is a celebration of the freedom to read, a fundamental right that belongs to everyone and over which no one person or small group of people should hold sway. Banned Books Week is a celebration of ideas, big and small, and the ability to freely access those ideas. It is a celebration of books, comics, plays, and art.

This handbook is designed to give you the tools you need to make a celebration of the right to read during Banned Books Week. From an introduction to the annual event, to a list of the most challenged books, to programming ideas and best practices, to resources and tips for handling and reporting challenges, the Celebrate Banned Books Week Handbook is an invaluable resource for Banned Books Week and beyond. It will be updated annually to reflect the latest challenges, incorporate new ideas, and better benefit you!

As the attacks on the right to read escalate, a celebration of reading is needed now more than ever. The Banned Books Week Coalition is here to support students, educators, libraries, booksellers, and creators in the United States and abroad all year long, not just during Banned Books Week. Please join us in speaking out for challenged and banned books September 23–29, 2018, and the rest of the year!

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek /ideasandresources/freedownloads

This publication made possible by the contributions of the members of the Banned Books Week Coalition. Banned Books Week also receives generous support from DKT Liberty Project and Penguin Random House.

Designed and edited by Betsy Gomez.

Banned Books Week 2018 artwork courtesy of American Library Association. ©2018 Banned Books Week Coalition and respective authors.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK 101 What is a challenge? What is a ban?

Book bans generally start with a challenge—a verbal or formal written attempt to restrict access to materials or to remove them entirely. A ban happens when those materials are actually removed from shelves, classrooms, or performance spaces.

Are books really still banned in the United States?

Yes! Every year, the American Library Association reports hundreds of challenges to books in schools and libraries all over the United States, and ALA estimates that the unreported number of challenges is significantly higher. People continually try to take away readers’ power to decide what books are right for themselves or their children by initiating challenges to remove books from libraries. In some cases, books are actually removed from libraries and classrooms. This not only infringes on readers’ rights, but also limits access to materials, especially for those who do not have the opportunity to purchase books.

Why are books challenged?

Books are usually challenged with the best of intentions, often motivated by a desire to protect younger readers from “inappropriate” content. Books are challenged over sexual content, profanity, age appropriateness, violence, religious viewpoint, LGBTQ content, political bias, drug and alcohol use, suicide, and much more.

Who challenges and bans books?

Most challenges come from library patrons and parents, who raise concerns over content they find objectionable.

Sometimes, a library or school staffer or administrator will bring a challenge. Politicians, political organizations, and religious groups have also targeted books and plays.

On a few occasions, students have brought complaints to administrators.

The ultimate arbitrator of the challenge depends on the policies of the institution where a book is challenged.

Many schools and libraries have a challenge policy that starts with a written complaint, which results in a review committee being convened to read and consider the material being challenged. The review committee may make the decision based on a majority vote, or they may give a recommendation to the school or library administrator or board, which in turn makes the call on whether a work is retained. Institutions without a thoughtful reconsideration protocol are far more likely to ban materials.

What is Banned Books Week?

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in book challenges. It is usually held the last week of September to celebrate the value of free and open access to information. It started here in the United States and has been celebrated at libraries, schools, theaters, bookstores, and other locations around the country, and there’s now a celebration of the right to read in the United Kingdom.

What does the Banned Books Week Coalition do to help?

The Banned Books Week Coalition is an international alliance of organizations committed to raising awareness about the freedom the read. The Banned Books Week Coalition and its members do not ban books; the Coalition defends them and the right to read. Several members of the Coalition lend direct support to libraries, schools, retailers, and creators who run afoul of censorship by writing letters and statements of support, providing advice and legal representation, and publishing advocacy resources.

During Banned Books Week, the members of the Coalition engage various communities in the celebration of reading by providing digital and print resources, publications, programming ideas, advocacy, and more. A variety of resources for librarians, educators, booksellers, artists, students, and more are available at https://bannedbooksweek.org/

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CHALLENGED & BANNED BOOKS TOP TEN MOST CHALLENGED BOOKS OF 2017 The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials in 2017. Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the Top Ten Most Challenged Books are: 1. Thirteen Reasons Why, written by Jay Asher Originally published in 2007, this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This young adult novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.

2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, written by Sherman Alexie Consistently challenged since its publication in 2007 for acknowledging issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality, this National Book Award winner was challenged in school curricula because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.

Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.

6. Sex is a Funny Word, written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth This 2015 informational children’s book written by a certified sex educator was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”

7. To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.

8. The Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this young adult novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curricula because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.

3. Drama, written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier This Stonewall Honor Award–winning, 2012 graphic novel from an acclaimed cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”

9. And Tango Makes Three, written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children’s Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.

4. The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”

10. I Am Jazz, written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas This autobiographical picture book, co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist, was challenged because it addresses gender identity.

5. George, written by Alex Gino Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda

Source: American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/NLW-Top10

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OTHER BANNED BOOKS, COMICS, AND PLAYS

CENSORSHIP

BY THE NUM BER S

Banning books silences stories and discussions. Censorship succeeds when no one talks about it. Raise your megaphone and speak out for banned books! Learn more at ala.org/bbooks.

D E F IN IT IO N S

WHO INITIATES CHALLENGES TO MATERIALS?

CHALLENGE

42% Patrons

14% Board/

attempt to remove or restrict materials, based on objections from a person/group

6% 3%

BAN

2% 1%

removal of materials based on content

administration

Librarians/ teachers Political and religious groups Elected officials Students

32% Parents

POLITICAL VIEWPOINT

WHERE DO CHALLENGES TAKE PLACE? 56% Public libraries

25% School

(curriculum and classrooms)

S B E YO N D B O O K Books aren’t the only items threatened with censorship.

The American Library Association tracks challenges to materials and services in libraries, schools, and universities. In some cases, community members want an author’s speaking engagement canceled or an LGBT display taken down. Other times, patrons would like certain DVDs or magazines removed from shelves. In 2017, 491 materials were challenged or censored.

Breakdown of 354 challenges tracked in 2017:

67% Books 18% Databases,

magazines, films, games

7% 4% 4%

Programs Displays Other

Statistics on censorship are compiled by:

ALA has been tracking challenges since 1990. View the Top Ten Most Challenged Books lists from previous years at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks /frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

CBLDF Banned Comics Case Studies Collecting case studies about specific comics that have been challenged or banned, this series has details on which comics and graphic novels were attacked, why they were challenged, and how the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and other advocates helped defend them. Read all about it at http://cbldf.org/banned-comic /banned-challenged-comics/

The Defender

Statistics based on 318 responses

WHY ARE MATERIALS CHALLENGED?

Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists

16% School libraries

2% Academic libraries 1% Special libraries/ other

The Dramatists Legal Defense Fund maintains The Defender, a database of dramatic works that have been challenged or censored in the United States. Find out more at https://www.dldf.org/defenderdatabase/

Texts Challenged, 2002-2018 The National Council of Teachers of English has compiled a list of the books it has defended over the last several years.

The list, which includes nearly 400 entries from the last 16 years, can be viewed at http://www2.ncte.org/app/uploads/2018/09 /TitlesChallenged2002-2018.pdf

Censorpedia Censorpedia (www.wiki.ncac.org) is an interactive wiki of censorship incidents from the Iron Age to the 21st Century. The archive contains more than 1,000 censorship incidents from around the world. By providing a repository of information about what is vulnerable to censorship and about the strategies and tactics that have defeated previous censorship attempts, Censorpedia aids the fight for free expression.

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BBW COALITION EVENTS The members of the Banned Books Week Coalition coordinate a number of events to celebrate the right to read.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK VIRTUAL READ-OUT Your words have power. Stand up to censorship and declare your literary freedoms by reading from a banned book or discussing censorship issues on camera.

Since the inception of Banned Books Week in 1982, libraries, schools, and bookstores throughout the country have staged local read-outs, continuous readings of banned and challenged books. Banned authors such as Judy Blume, Stephen Chbosky, and Chris Crutcher have participated.

Readers can join the action by posting a video of themselves reading from a banned book or talking about censorship. Videos may be featured on the Banned Books Week YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user /bannedbooksweek

»» If you’re submitting multiple videos, please create a YouTube playlist and submit one URL. You can submit your video by completing the form at https://bannedbooksweek.org/videos/

BANNED TOGETHER: A CENSORSHIP CABARET The DLDF organizes Banned Together: A Censorship Cabaret, a multi-city celebration of songs and scenes from shows that have been censored or challenged on America’s stages that is designed to raise awareness around issues of censorship and free expression in the theater. Find out more at https://www.dldf.org/bannedtogether/

Before you press record, check out the following guidelines and ideas: »» Videos should be shorter than three minutes. »» The ALA’s annual lists of the Top Ten Challenged Books (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks /frequentlychallengedbooks/top10) and the Frequently Challenged Books page (http://www.ala.org /advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks) provide inspiration for which books to read from or talk about. »» Include the phrase “Banned Books Week” when titling and tagging your video. A good title example is “Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out: A Reading from ‘I Am Jazz’” or “Banned Books Week: Why I Read ‘Looking for Alaska’”

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A NIGHT OF SILENCED VOICES Launched in 2016 as a one-night-only event taking place at bookstores around the U.S., A Night of Silenced Voices celebrates Banned Books Week with appearances by acclaimed writers, readings of banned materials, and open mics.

Daniel José Older, Ibi Zoboi, Taran Matharu, Tiffany D. Jackson, Charles Rice-Gonzalez, Gabby Rivera, Sydney Valerio, and Mariela Regalado were among the creators who took part in the inaugural event. If you would like to host one of these events during Banned Books Week, send us an email at coordinator@bannedbooksweek.org

CREATOR EVENTS One of the most exciting ways to celebrate Banned Books Week is with author events! You can host an in-person event with an author at your library, school, store, or community center. If expense or space availability is a concern, many authors are willing to do virtual events via webinars, hangouts, and so forth!

BEST PRACTICES A visit with an author or illustrator is a wonderful way to connect your patrons, students, and customers with the magic of books and reading. Here are some tips courtesy of ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children to help ensure a successful visit! (Note: While these tips are designed with librarians in mind, they’re applicable to a variety of venues and organizers.) »» Form a committee to collect suggestions from coworkers or peers. Ask community members whom they would like to hear. Select several authors and possible dates, as the first choice might not be available at the time desired. »» Define the audience and determine both the length and type of program. Consider the primary audience: children, adults, or a mix of both. Determine the number and type of programs: a workshop, classroom or assembly presentation, speaker panel, evening program, autographing session, or other. »» Prepare a timeline. Preparing a timeline detailing preparation for the visit will help to ensure a successful event. »» Select a speaker. Start at least six months ahead of the visit. Many authors schedule visits twelve months ahead, and really popular authors schedule as much as two years in advance.

»» Set budget figures. These should include honorarium, transportation, hotel, and meal costs. »» Contact the author or publisher. Check the author’s website for contact information. The publisher or booking agent will need details, such as the date and location of the visit, audience and type of program, a contact name, and phone number. »» Confirm details in writing. Include the fee, arrangements, accommodations, and an event fact sheet with the details of the visit spelled out. If your library or governmental jurisdiction requires a contract, include all details. »» Keep in touch. Call to confirm the visit the week before. Also, ask about any audiovisual needs (e.g., microphone, flip chart, screen, projector). More communication is better than not enough. »» Identify potential partners and volunteers. Partners can help with fundraising, publicity, transportation, and other details. »» Make all local arrangements. This includes booking the author’s hotel and, if necessary, the speaking location. It may also include making arrangements for any audiovisual materials the author may require in the visit. »» Arrange for a book sale. This may be done through the publisher or a local bookstore. Publishers may send materials on consignment, or local bookstores may handle sales. When selecting titles, match the cost and selection of books to the needs of the audience. »» Develop and implement a publicity plan. Be sure to notify the local newspapers, as well as local community leaders, area schools, and nearby libraries. »» Provide a memento of the visit. Ask the publisher’s

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marketing department for free posters or bookmarks, or create your own professional-looking bookmark to distribute. This is important, as not all participants may be able to purchase a book. »» Familiarize the audience with the author. Display the author’s work before the visit, and offer programs featuring it. Include biographical information in the library newsletter, on program flyers, and your website.

Have children create artwork based on the author’s work for display. Plan to present it to the author as a memento of the visit. »» Confirm local arrangements. Distribute a final itinerary the week before the visit to ensure a smoothly run event. »» Last-minute housekeeping: The day before the event, check on room set-up, remind drivers or hosts and newspapers, and be familiar with all details of the visit. Be sure the introduction for the author is written and have a check to pay the author in hand. »» Write thank you notes. Send to the author and publisher / booking agent shortly after the visit. Also, be sure to thank the source of books, volunteers, and others who helped make the visit a success. »» Evaluate the program. Make notes of lessons learned.

Review attendance numbers, response to publicity, and reaction to the program. This follow-up will help you do it better next time.

whether they are available to participate in events. They also provide tips and resources in support of author visits.

Here are just a few publisher websites to check out: »» Penguin Random House School & Library Author Appearances: http://www.penguin.com/school-library /author-appearances/ »» Simon & Schuster Children’s Books: http://www.simonandschuster.net /Plan-an-Author-Appearance/How-To »» HarperCollins: http://www.harpercollinschildrens .com/HarperChildrens/Members/RequestAuthor /faq.aspx A few authors will have information about appearances on their official websites. Keep in mind that you’ll likely get better results by going through official channels as opposed to trying to reach an author via social media.

CBLDF Comics Connector The CBLDF Comics Connector is a free a resource that lists comics creators and industry professionals who are able to provide lectures and workshops for schools and libraries. Odds are good you’ll be able to find someone who will participate in your Banned Books Week events! Check out the CBLDF Comics Connector at http://cbldf.org /resources/comics-connector/

»» Wrap up the book sale, and pay all bills. »» Begin planning your next author visit.

Note: Timelines and suggestions for author visits may be found on many publishers’ websites and on the websites of companies that arrange visits for authors.

Source: American Library Association’s Association for Library Service to Children, http://www.ala.org/alsc/issuesadv/kidscampaign/authorvisits

You can find additional recommendations and tips from the Maureen Hayes Award Selection Committee, which awards grants to libraries to defray the costs of children’s author / illustrator visits. View them at http://www.ala.org /alsc/awardsgrants/profawards/hayesaward/tipsforvisit planning

FINDING TALENT One way to coordinate creator appearances for your event is to contact the publisher of their books. Some publishers maintain comprehensive rosters of their authors and Artwork for CBLDF by Raina Telgemeier

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PROGRAMMING IDEAS Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to engage your community with reading! We’ve assembled a few programming ideas to help get you started on creating the right event for your patrons!

BANNED BOOKS WEEK DISPLAYS Start the conversation about Banned Books Week by making a display in your library, classroom, or store! Here are just a few ideas to get you started: »» Wrap a selection of banned and challenged titles with caution tape. »» Cover banned or challenged books in brown paper, and write only the reason why the book was challenged—not the title or creator—across the front of the package. Imagine the customer’s surprise when the book labeled “Political Viewpoint, Racism, and Violence” turns out to be Bone by Jeff Smith! »» Put banned books and plays behind bars! Use a pet crate or fencing to “lock up” challenged material.

»» Hang banned books from a mobile, just out of reach of your audience. »» Decorate a bulletin board or build a backdrop where patrons and customers can take selfies or “mugshots” of themselves reading banned books. »» Design a bulletin board to look like a page from a comic book. In each panel, feature a challenged or banned book with a word balloon explaining the charge against the material. The more ridiculous the claim, the better!

DEAR BANNED AUTHOR Dear Banned Author is a letter-writing campaign hosted by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. During Banned Books Week, readers are encouraged to write to their favorite banned or challenged authors, sharing what the authors’ stories meant to them. The goal of the campaign is to not only raise awareness of books that are threatened with censorship and support authors, but to also encourage thoughtful discussions about the power of words and how essential it is to have access to a variety of viewpoints in libraries. Also, authors have shared fan letters as support when there’s a public challenge to their books. ALA OIF has a number of tools to facilitate programming around the Dear Banned Author Letter-Writing Campaign at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/dear-banned-author

Photo credit: Downey City Library, Downey, CA

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Photo credit: Amanda Vance. Source: ALA

storytelling skills. Have them talk about their creative process and publishing. At the end of the workshops, encourage participants to photocopy the results and host a mini zinefest!

LECTURES AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS Invite a free speech advocate, legal expert, educator, or librarian to give a presentation about banned books and censorship. Encourage them to give a visual presentation and invite patron and customer participation.

Why invite just one creator or freedom to read advocate when you can invite a bunch? A fun alternative to the usual creator visit is the talent panel, where creators have a chance to interact, tell stories, and discuss alongside their peers questions posed by a moderator or the audience.

GUESS THE BANNED BOOK OR PLAY Copy a page from a banned book or play and shred it. Put the pieces in a jar and ask your patrons or customers to guess the name of the work. Award correct answers a simple prize, such as a bookmark, or put all the correct entries in a drawing for a bigger prize.

BANNED BOOKS AND PLAYS READ OUT Have performers and patrons read aloud from banned and challenged books and plays. Or organize a 12- or 24-hour read-a-thon, during which patrons, students, and even creators take turns reading banned materials. Be sure to encourage participants to discuss their personal feelings about the books they read and why they feel it is important to be heard!

The Office for Intellectual Freedom offers a complete stage adaption of young adult novel The Sledding Hill, written by frequently banned author Chris Crutcher. You can download it at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks /sledding-hill

WORKSHOPS Kids, teens, and adults all love to be creative! Invite a local author, comics creator, illustrator, or art teacher to spend time working with your patrons on their drawing and

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BANNED BOOKS FILM FEST Many of the greatest banned books and plays have been adapted into movies, so seize the opportunity to raise awareness by hosting a Banned Books Film Festival! From Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird to Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, a wide range of challenged stories have made the jump from page to screen, and the movies can spark a great conversation within your community!

COSPLAY Engage the creativity of your community with a Banned Books Week cosplay event! Encourage patrons to dress up as their favorite character from a banned comic or book, and ask them to talk about why that character matters to them. This is a great event to hold in your library, classroom, or store and to document on your website, blog, and social media pages.

MINI COMICS CONVENTION This is the perfect opportunity to put all your programming ideas together into one big event! Scale down what is usually found at a comics convention until it’s the perfect size for your library, classroom, or store. Artists alley, cosplay, demos and workshops, speaker panels, and even an art auction are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to programs that happen at a convention.

ART EXHIBIT Passive programs are good, too! Are there professional artists in your area? A high school art club? An active children’s group? Enlist their help in creating an art exhibit to tie into Banned Books Week. From art paying tribute to authors to reinterpretations of important scenes from banned books, an art exhibit is a great way to get people talking!

BANNED BOOKS CLUB Have your book club or local community read a banned book or play and discuss it during Banned Books Week!

There are so many titles to choose from that you can keep the club running year round!

K CLUB COMIC BOO HANDBOOK

or students in your classroom to debate the pros and cons of book censorship!

HOST A FUNDRAISER Choose a worthy free speech advocate, such as the organizations that make up the Banned Books Week Coalition, and host a fundraiser at your library, school, or store!

Whether a party, creator event, or charity auction, we’re happy to send materials and support your event! Send us an email at coordinator@bannedbooksweek.org when you’re planning your event.

Adapted from CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook (various years), http://cbldf.org/librarian-tools/cbldf-banned-books-week-handbook/

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING RESOURCES Activity Ideas for Banned Books Week Fight censorship with activity and event ideas from the American Library Association! Check them out at http://www.ala.org/bbooks/bannedbooksweek/ideasand resources/activity and find more ideas at ALA’s Pinterest page at https://www.pinterest.com/BannedBooksWeek /banned-books-week-event-ideas/

Judith Krug Fund Banned Books Week Event Grants Starting and making the most of book clubs for comics and graphic novels!

CBLDF’s book club handbooks are useful for organizing any type of book club. View them at http://cbldf.org/resources/comic-book-club-handbook/ and http://cbldf.org/resources/manga-book-club-handbook/

BOOK SWAP Looking for an intergenerational program? Try a book swap! Reach out to local bookstores and comics shops for donations of older titles, Free Comic Book Day leftovers, or anything else you think your patrons would be willing to trade. Then, invite your customers to bring books of their own to swap!

Each year, the Freedom to Read Foundation distributes grants to non-profit organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual Banned Books Week celebration. Libraries, schools and universities are encouraged to apply for the Judith Krug Fund Banned Books Week Event grants. Find out more at https://www.ftrf.org/page /Krug_BBW?

Programming Librarian This website, which is run by the American Library Association Public Programs Office, offers ideas, models, learning opportunities, and more resources for events and community engagement. View these invaluable resources at http://www.programminglibrarian.org/

BANNED BOOKS DEBATE For a lively and illuminating conversation about intellectual freedom, bring together members of your community

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RESOURCES The members of the Banned Books Week Coalition have a number of resources available to support Banned Books Week programming, promotion of the annual celebration of the right to read, and banned books themselves. Many of these resources can be used throughout the year, so you can celebrate the right to read every day!

Check out the following resources from the coalition. Several can be used by multiple audiences, from educators, to librarians, to retailers, and beyond! Most of these resources are free unless otherwise indicated.

Copyright notice: Unless otherwise indicated, the resources offered here are copyright and / or property of their respective creators. Resources can be used to support and promote Banned Books Week events, but none of the following resources can be sold or used for fundraising purposes. Copyright should be attributed. For inquiries or clarification, please contact coordinator@bannedbooksweek.org

PRINT AND DIGITAL RESOURCES ALA’s Banned Books Downloads ALA maintains an extensive array of social media graphics, infographics, web banners, and more in support of banned books and Banned Books Week. View them online at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek /ideasandresources/freedownloads Please credit ALA when using these resources: “Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association, www.ala.org“

Banned Books Week Products ALA has bookmarks, posters, pins, bundles, and more to support your Banned Books Week Events! Pick up yours in

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the ALA store at https://www.alastore.ala.org/search/store ​/celebrations_events/banned-books-week-97

CBLDF Posters and Shelftalkers Feel free to use these great posters from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in your Banned Books Week displays and to advertise your events celebrating the freedom to read! CBLDF has posters featuring art of all-ages favorite Bone by Jeff Smith, art from Raina Telgemeier’s bestselling (and frequently challenged) graphic novel Drama, and art by Nate Powell from John Lewis and Andrew Aydin’s award-winning March trilogy.

Featuring “Fighting Words” about censorship from some of the biggest names in comics, you can use these shelf talkers to call attention to banned comics, as part of your Banned Books Week displays, on bulletin boards, and more! Find the CBLDF posters and shelftalkers at http://cbldf.org/resources/banned-books-week/ Please credit CBLDF when using these resources: “Created by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, cbldf.org”

PUBLICATIONS Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read Compiled by First Amendment advocate Robert P. Doyle, ALA’s Banned Books: Defending Our Freedom to Read is packed with challenge entries, histories of core documents such as the Library Bill of Rights and the First

Amendment, infographics, timelines, and explanations of legal cases. Order a copy at https://www.alastore.ala.org /content/banned-books-defending-our-freedom-read

Books Under Fire: A Hit List of Banned and Challenged Children’s Books The most beloved and popular children’s books are still among the most frequent targets of censorship and outright bans. Books Under Fire gives librarians the information and guidance they need to defend challenged books with an informed response while ensuring access for young book lovers. Order it from ALA at https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/books-under-firehit-list-banned-and-challenged-childrens-books

CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook The CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook is a free resource that gives you the scoop about which comics and graphic novels are banned, how to report and fight censorship, and how to make a celebration of Banned Books Week in your community! View editions from the last several years at http://cbldf.org/librarian-tools/cbldf-banned-books-weekhandbook/

Read Banned Comics CBLDF has created a visual guide that helps you identify, understand, and protect comics and graphic novels! Discover the books frequently facing censorship. Hear from the creators, including Neil Gaiman (Sandman, The Graveyard Book), Raina Telgemeier (Drama, Smile), G. Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel), and more, who share their thoughts on censorship and attacks on their work. Read it online at http://cbldf .org/2018/09/get-cbldfs-newest-publication-read-bannedcomics-for-free-today/

Censored An annual publication of Project Censored, Censored offers in-depth analysis of censored stories and media. Obtain copies for this and previous years in the Project Censored online store at http://projectcensored.org/shop/

Intellectual Freedom Manual ALA OIF’s Intellectual Freedom Manual is more than just an invaluable compendium of guiding principles and policies; it’s also an indispensable resource for day-to-day guidance on maintaining free and equal access to information for all people. Order a copy at https://www.alastore.ala.org /content/intellectual-freedom-manual-ninth-edition

Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy ALA OIF’s Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy (JIFP) includes substantive essays, peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, legal briefs, and opinion pieces. The $50 annual subscription allows readers to review the latest book banning incidents, court rulings, and legal controversies.

Subscribe at http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/JIFP

Book Censorship Action Kit NCAC presents this collection of materials on how to effectively fight challenges to books in schools for the use of students, educators, parents, and authors. Read it online at https://ncac.org/resource /book-censorship-toolkit

Panel Power Inspire kids to become lifelong readers with CBLDF’s Panel Power, a tool for battling misconceptions about comics that is filled with information about their benefits, activities, and reading recommendations. Read Panel Power at http://cbldf .org/panel-power/

Raising A Reader! How Comics & Graphic Novels Can Help Your Kids Love to Read!

With more than 80,000 copies in print, CBLDF’s Raising a Reader! How Comics & Graphic Novels Can Help Your Kids Love To Read! is an indispensable tool for showcasing the value of graphic novels and chock full of reading suggestions and title recommendations to get kids engaged with this exciting medium! Check it out at http://cbldf.org /resources/raising-a-reader/

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LIBRARIAN RESOURCES American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA), the world’s largest and oldest library association, provides ideas and resources (http://www.ala.org/bbooks/bannedbooksweek /ideasandresources) on how your library can participate in the annual celebration of the freedom to read. ALA also provides information on challenged books, including the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom’s Top Ten Challenged Books list (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks /frequentlychallengedbooks/top10). ALA also helps librarians facing actual or possible challenges to library materials, services, and programs. Check out ALA’s challenge support webpage at http://www.ala.org/tools /challengesupport for more information.

Book Legal Defense Fund, this resource is intended to help in collection development, categorizing and shelving graphic novels, and handling complaints. Read it at http://cbldf.org/graphic-novels-suggestions-for-librarians/

EDUCATOR RESOURCES The First Amendment in Schools: A Resource Guide NCAC presents a collection of materials on the topic of censorship in schools for the use of students, educators, and parents everywhere. Check it out at https://ncac.org /resource/first-amendment-in-schools/

Using Graphic Novels in Education This ongoing column from CBLDF examines specific graphic novels, including those that have been targeted by censors, and provides teaching and discussion suggestions for the use of such books in classrooms. Check out the columns at http://cbldf.org/using-graphic-novels/

CBLDF Discussion Guides CBLDF’s discussion guides are tools that can be used to lead conversations about challenged graphic novels and to help allay misconceptions about comics. Download the guides at http://cbldf.org/cbldf-discussion-guides/ Artwork courtesy of the American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/bannedbooksweek /ideasandresources/freedownloads

Comics — Start Here!

This publication utilizes data from a CBLDF-sponsored survey designed to facilitate new shelving guidelines, as well as providing information about handling challenges.

Read it at http://cbldf.org/2018/06/comics-start-here-atala-in-new-orleans/

Adding Graphic Novels to Your Library or Classroom Collection This ongoing feature from CBLDF provides specific resources for librarians and educators who may need to justify and defend the inclusion of the book in library and classroom collections. Check out the series at http://cbldf.org/adding-graphic-novels/

Graphic Novels: Suggestions for Librarians Prepared by the National Coalition Against Censorship, the American Library Association, and the Comic

14 | Celebrate Banned Books Week Handbook

Censorship Guide for Teachers: 12 Ways to Use Project Censored in Your Classroom Project Censored has suggestions for incorporating its programming into classrooms at http://projectcensored .org/censorship/teachers-guide/ as well as resources promoting media literacy and critical thinking at http:// projectcensored.org/project-censoreds-commitmentto-independent-news-in-the-classroom/

The Students’ Right to Read NCTE’s Students’ Right to Read gives model procedures for responding to challenges, including “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a Work.” View it at http://www.ncte .org/positions/statements/righttoreadguideline

Guidelines for Selection of Materials in English Language Arts Programs NCTE presents criteria and procedures that ensure thoughtful teacher selection of novels and other materials. Read it at http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements /material-selection-ela

NCTE Position Statement Regarding Rating or “Red-Flagging” Books

States. View this important tool for student advocacy at https://ncac.org/resource/be-heard

This NCTE position statement explains why rating books, or “red-flagging,” is a form of censorship that schools should not practice. Check out this NCTE resource at http://www2.ncte.org/statement/rating-books/

Youth Advisory Board

Statement on Classroom Libraries This position statement from NCTE explains why classroom libraries play a key role in providing access to books and promoting literacy, and it expresses support for efforts to provide teachers with the ability to exercise their professional judgment in developing and maintaining classroom libraries. http://www2.ncte.org/statement /classroom-libraries/

Rationales for Teaching Challenged Books NCTE’s rich resource section includes the table of contents for NCTE’s Rationales for Commonly Challenged Books CD-ROM, an alphabetical list of other rationales on file, the SLATE Starter Sheet on “How to Write a Rationale,” and sample rationales for Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. Find it at http://www.ncte.org/action/anti-censorship/rationales

NCTE Beliefs About the Students’ Right to Write During this era of high-stakes testing, technology-based instruction, and increased control over students’ expression due to school violence, students’ right to write must be protected. View this NCTE position statement at http://www2.ncte.org/statement/students-right-to-write/

STUDENT RESOURCES BE HEARD! Protecting Your Protest Rights A joint effort of NCAC and CBLDF, BE HEARD! Protecting Your Rights is a short comic by Kai Texel that delineates the protest rights of students in the United

Index on Censorship’s Youth Advisory Board is a specially selected group of young people aged 16-25 who advise and inform Index on Censorship’s work, support the organization’s fight for free expression around the world, and ensures its engagement with issues concerning tomorrow’s leaders. Learn more at https://www.indexoncensorship .org/youth-board/

Youth Free Expression Program NCAC launched the Youth Free Expression Program (https://ncac.org/project/youth-free-expression-program) in 2010 to address the virtually unchecked assault on the free speech rights of young people. Through advocacy and education, the project supports the rights of youth to access information, as well as their freedom to question, learn, and think for themselves. One of the initiatives supported by the program is the Youth Free Expression Film Contest (http://ncac.org/project/film-contest).

Kids’ Right to Read Project The Kids’ Right to Read Project (KRRP) is a signature aspect of NCAC’s Youth Free Expression Program. KRRP offers support, education, and direct advocacy to individuals facing book challenges or bans in schools and libraries and engages local activists in promoting the freedom to read.

It was co-founded with the American Booksellers for Free Expression and is supported in part by the Association of American Publishers and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Check out the KRRP website at https://ncac.org /project/the-kids-right-to-read-project

The Show Must Go On Today, in the United States, censorship controversies around performance most frequently occur in schools.

As school employees, teachers may be reluctant to oppose the decision of their principal or superintendent no matter how strongly they believe a particular play should be produced. Students, on the other hand, are free to defend their right to free access to educational materials and their right to artistic expression. NCAC developed this toolkit to help students organize against theater censorship in public schools. View it at https://ncac.org/resource /the-show-must-go-on

Excerpt from BE HEARD!

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RETAILER RESOURCES American Booksellers for Free Expression The American Booksellers Association has created a number of tools to help retailers advocate for various causes, including free expression. Specifically, the American Booksellers for Free Expression division of ABA provides resources for Banned Books Week and beyond. Find out more at http://www.bookweb.org/abfe

CBLDF Retailer Rights Workshop The CBLDF Retailer Rights Workshop is a new program protecting comic stores and their staff! Content ranges from in-depth overview of laws governing content to howto sessions for managing situations like police visits, media attacks, and other areas affecting the right to sell comics.

CBLDF staff will deliver these workshops across the U.S.!

To find out when CBLDF staff are coming to your region or to inquire about hosting the workshop, please email info@cbldf.org with the subject line “Retailer Rights Workshop.”

Free Speech Resources for Booksellers ABFE provides tips for controversial author events, a free speech best practices checklist, signage, and more to support the First Amendment rights of retailers at https://www.bookweb.org/abfe/free-speech-resourcesbooksellers

WRITER AND ARTIST RESOURCES

cy and Technology, addresses protected vs. unprotected speech, speech regulated for its content or viewpoint, contracts, and copyright, and fair use. The website also includes a case law library and other tools to help creators understand their rights. http://www.artistrights.info/

Comic Book Creators The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund helps creators who are being attacked in cases where their work is clearly protected as parody or fair use. Call 1-800-99-CBLDF or 971-266-8212, or email info@cbldf.org for assistance. Visit cbldf.org for more information.

International Artists Index on Censorship campaigns for and defends free expression worldwide by publishing work by censored writers and artists, promoting debate, and monitoring threats to free speech. They encourage an environment in which artists and arts organizations can challenge the status quo, speak out on sensitive issues, and tackle taboos. The organization provides workshops for artists in the U.K. and other resources in support of free expression. View artist resources at https://www.indexoncensorship.org /campaigns/artistic-freedom/

Permissions and Copyright The Association of University Presses hosts extensive information on copyright and permissions questions as they apply to scholarly communications. Find a permissions FAQ and more at http://www.aupresses.org/resources /for-authors-a-faculty/permissions-and-copyright

Artists at Risk Connection Artists speak for all of us, but artistic freedom is under assault. PEN’s Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) supports artists everywhere so they can live and work without fear.

Find out more at https://artistsatriskconnection.org/

Arts Advocacy Program Launched in 2000, NCAC’s Arts Advocacy Program is the only national project dedicated to working directly with individual artists and curators involved in censorship disputes. Read more about the program at https://ncac.org /project/arts-advocacy-program

Artist Rights Artist Rights, a collaboration between the National Coalition Against Censorship and the Center for DemocraArtwork for CBLDF by Matthew Holm. Babymouse © and ™ Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.

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CENSORSHIP: WHAT YOU CAN DO Whether you’re a librarian, educator, bookseller, student, or creator, there are many things you can do to help prevent and fight censorship.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS The First Amendment protects the freedom to read. Everyone is entitled to express their opinions about a book, but they don’t have the right to limit another person’s access to information. This kind of censorship is most effective when people don’t act to stop it.

Here are some fundamentals to help protect your rights when it comes to freedom of speech!

Educators Teachers are the foundation of our free society. Their proximity to younger readers also puts them on the front lines in free expression battles.

If you’re a teacher, you should understand that your rights can vary by school or school district, so be sure to get acquainted with your institution’s collection development and challenge policies. If your school lacks such policies, volunteer to help craft them. Reach out to NCAC or NCTE for guidance in drafting clear, effective policies.

Public and private institutions have different First Amendment obligations. Government entities like public schools are bound by the First Amendment, but private schools can have a narrower set of guidelines.

Generally speaking, parents can object to assignments and request alternatives for their children, but they can’t make you remove content. A single complaint shouldn’t override the professional judgment of educators in shaping curriculum.

Librarians Public libraries provide resources for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people in their community. The American Library Association provides a vast range of resources, policies, and best practices to help support your ability to serve the community. Among the principles articulated in ALA’s Library Bill of Rights: »» Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. »» Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. »» Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

View the full Library Bill of Rights at http://www.ala.org /advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

Retailers The First Amendment protects the right to sell all kinds of material, including material for adults and mature readers.

Key principles that ensure you and your staff are safe: »» Establish good policies and follow them. By having some specific guidelines in place and making sure every member of your staff is on the same page, you can help defuse a First Amendment emergency.

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»» Thoughtfully display content. Every community is different, so be deliberate in how you display material. It may be helpful to segregate material for younger readers into its own section, rack mature titles on a high shelf, or even keep some more adult material in its own section. »» Talk to your customers and be involved in your community. It sounds like common sense, but if you’re well-established as part of the community, people are more likely to try to work out a solution one-on-one than to take an adversarial approach.

CBLDF’s Retailer Rights Workshops provide even more information. If you are interested in hosting or participating, contact CBLDF at info@cbldf.org The American Booksellers Association has created a number of tools to help retailers advocate for various causes, including free expression. Find out more at http://www.bookweb.org/abfe

Readers Whether you’re age 7 or 107, the First Amendment protects your right to access information. Here are some ways you can help uphold that right: »» Stay informed! Keep in touch with your local librarians and educators to find out about book challenges in your community. Subscribe to news publications dedicated to the First Amendment and free expression, such as email newsletters from the members of the Banned Books Week Coalition. »» Report censorship! Reporting challenges when they happen helps free expression advocates gather necessary information about what materials are at risk.

The members of the Banned Books Week Coalition are ready to help fight challenges in your community, but we need to hear about them first! The best way to fight censorship is to call it out when it occurs. Several members of the Coalition have censorship report forms on their websites. »» Speak up! Attempts to ban books rarely succeed when people speak out against them. Whether it is a school board, PTA, or library meeting or a public hearing, be there to speak up for the First Amendment and the right to read. Write letters to your local administrators, politicians, and newspapers supporting the right to read. Remind your fellow citizens and officials that no one has the right to restrict access to books, and be prepared to stand up for all books, even those you may not like. Any successful book ban

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opens the door to more censorship.

Source: CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook 2017, http://cbldf.org /librarian-tools/cbldf-banned-books-week-handbook/

HANDLING CHALLENGES Unfortunately, some community members might object to certain books being available. It is important to manage those objections with professionalism, respect, and dedication to the mission of serving your community. Here are some useful tips.

Be Prepared Specific written policies about collection development and challenge management are essential for libraries and educators, and they’re also a good idea for retailers. Having a policy is just the first step—be sure to train all current and new staff in your policies and procedures and have periodic refresher sessions to ensure everyone on your team is on the same page.

In addition to policies, some advance preparation can help prevent challenges to books, comics, and plays. Work with your staff to develop talking points for specific issues that you encounter.

Remember Your Community Libraries have a broad mandate to provide choice for all of the individuals in their community. That means that they provide access to ideas and information across the spectrum of political and social views. Retail stores can be more specialized in their mission, but they also serve a wide range of patrons. When confronting a complaint, it is important to emphasize this inclusive approach.

Serving the broader community doesn’t mean that staff at libraries and bookstores are substitute parents or guardians. Communicating with parents and providing expert knowledge to help them and their children make choices is a best practice, but parents need to understand that the final decision about their kids’ reading is their own.

Keep It Friendly When someone comes to you with a complaint, be polite, professional, and friendly even if the individual making the complaint is upset or angry. Here are a few best practices for these difficult situations: »» Greet each person with a smile. Communicate your openness to receive inquiries, and show that you take

them seriously.

»» Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (http://cbldf.org)

»» Listen more than you talk. Take time to comprehend and acknowledge the individual’s concern. Stay calm and courteous. »» Avoid sharing personal opinions. Instead, be prepared to present facts, policy, and other background materials in writing. »» Give a clear, non-intimidating explanation of the procedure for registering a complaint or challenge, and provide information on when a decision can be expected.

Enlist Experts You don’t need to go it alone! Contact the member organizations of the Banned Books Week Coalition, whose expert staff can help you manage the situation with proactive resources, one-on-one advice, letters of support, and more.

Even if you’ve already resolved the situation, reporting the challenge will help advocates develop tools to assist other people in your situation. »» American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif/)

»» National Coalition Against Censorship (www.ncac.org) »» National Council of Teachers of English (http:// www2.ncte.org/) ALA also has a number of challenge support tools at http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport

Follow Policies Strong policies, good training, and adherence to your procedures are vital to creating the best outcome in challenge situations. People challenging content are generally well-intentioned, and they have a right to be heard. Having policies that allow you to hear their complaints and consider them objectively helps maintain a respectful approach to ensuring your institution serves the needs of everyone in your community in the best way possible!

For guidelines on establishing review policies, visit the ALA’s “Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries” at http://www.ala .org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit Source: CBLDF Banned Books Week Handbook 2017, http://cbldf.org /librarian-tools/cbldf-banned-books-week-handbook/

REPORTING CENSORSHIP Censorship thrives in ignorance. The best way to prevent it is to make sure that free expression advocates know it’s happening. Several members of the Banned Books Week Coalition are prepared to take direct action to fight censorship. Use the following contact information to let them know when books, comics, and plays are under threat!

Report censorship to the American Library Association at http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/report Report censorship to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund by calling 1-800-99-CBLDF or emailing info@cbldf.org Report censorship to the National Coalition Against Censorship at https://ncac.org/report-censorship-page Report censorship to the National Council of Teachers of English by completing the form at https://secure.ncte.org/forms/reportcensorship or by emailing intellectualfreedom@ncte.org

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BANNING BOOKS SILENCES STORIES! BANNED BOOKS WEEK IS SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2018!

THE 2018 THEME IS A REMINDER THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE TIDE OF CENSORSHIP.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK SPONSORS American Booksellers Association http://www.bookweb.org/abfe American Library Association http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif Association of University Presses http://www.aupresses.org/ Comic Book Legal Defense Fund http://cbldf.org/ Dramatists Legal Defense Fund https://www.dldf.org/ Freedom to Read Foundation http://www.ftrf.org Index on Censorship https://www.indexoncensorship.org/ National Coalition Against Censorship https://ncac.org/ National Council of Teachers of English http://www2.ncte.org/ People for the American Way http://www.pfaw.org/

BANNED BOOKS WEEK CONTRIBUTORS American Society of Journalists and Authors https://asja.org/ The Authors Guild https://www.authorsguild.org/ PEN America https://pen.org/ Project Censored https://projectcensored.org/ Banned Books Week is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, and it also receives generous support from DKT Liberty Project and Penguin Random House.

SUPPORT BANNED BOOKS WEEK!

BANNEDBOOKSWEEK.ORG

By supporting the Banned Books Week sponsors and contributors, you can help sustain the annual celebration of the right to read!