Roundabout Books is supporting the fight against book censorship during Banned Books Week Oct 1-7. This year’s theme, “Let Freedom Read,” celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
Roundabout Books will be showcasing banned books throughout the store during the week and is hosting a Banned Books Lit Trivia Night on September 30 at 5:30 pm to call attention to some of the egregious censorship challenges that have restricted teaching about topics such as American history and historical context, race, gender, LGBTQ+ identities, as well as the freedom to read, learn, and think independently regardless of age, status, or class.
The American Library Association reports that in 2022 a record 1,269 demands were made to restrict or ban books and other materials in schools and libraries. This is the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA began compiling this data more than 20 years ago. At the same time, a 2022 poll found that over 70% of parents oppose book banning.
“This is a critical moment in U.S. history and we must bring attention to the significant increase in book censorship that has been taking place in schools, libraries, bookstores, and other literary havens,” said Cassie Clemans, owner of Roundabout Books. “Banning books only serves to undermine intellectual freedom and limits our children and communities from having access to the variety of perspectives that literature provides. I am a passionate advocate for fighting censorship efforts; in fact, it is a cornerstone of our mission at Roundabout Books. This store is a place where anyone can safely browse, explore, and seek knowledge from any book on any topic.”
Below is a list of recommended ways that Roundabout Books encourages Central Oregon community members to take action during Banned Books Week:
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Use the hashtags #bannedbooksweek and #letfreedomread and tag @Roundaboutbooks on Instagram to declare your Freedom to Read.
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Post a photo or video of you reading one of your favorite banned books. Look here for lists of challenged and banned titles.
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Read more about the efforts to ban books here.
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Stock up on awesome Banned Books Week materials (free downloads are available here and show off your Banned Books Week spirit).
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Reach out to your local newspaper with a Letter to the Editor on behalf of the freedom to read. An example advocating for reading banned books is available to get you started.
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Stand up to censorship by reporting challenges made to books to the Office for Intellectual Freedom.
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Learn more about the top 13 most challenged books of 2022.
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Read a Banned Book!
Roundabout Books’ Banned Books Lit Trivia Night is a ticketed event requiring a $10 fee per team. Fees can be purchased through Eventbrite here. For further information, please contact Roundabout Books’ Event Manager, Julie Swearingen, at julie@roundaboutbookshop.com.
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas.
Roundabout Bookshop is a full-service independent bookstore, located in the heart of Bend’s Northwest Crossing Community. The staff takes tremendous pride in their highly curated selection of new adult and children’s books. Local Bend resident, Cassie Clemans, founded Roundabout Books with a vision of enhancing the life of our community by providing a warm and comfortable literary space where people of all ages are welcome to read, browse, shop for books, meet a friend, or enjoy an event.
