Bookstores Raise Awareness of Censorship Through Banned Books Week Events

King's Books collaborated with local letter-press printer Jessica Spring to create a BBW book in a matchbook format.

Each year, Banned Books Week (BBW) can be counted on to generate inspired discussion and passion about books at various events nationwide. And each year, what seems to be a growing number of censors can be counted on to provide a fresh batch of banned books. Consequently, Banned Books Week 2005, last week's national celebration of First Amendment Rights, was an important event for booksellers, librarians, and many others. Sponsors include ABA, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, and the American Library Association, along with the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Association of College Stores. The Center for the Book of the Library of Congress also endorses Banned Books Week.

In Tampa, Florida, Inkwood Books didn't have to look far for inspiration to create this year's Banned Books Week display. "Each year we celebrate BBW with a display of books banned around the country, but this year it was a bit more personal," wrote store co-owner Leslie Reiner via e-mail. "One of the Hillsborough County Commissioners here in Tampa was with her six-year-old at a [local] public library that had a Gay Pride display.... She took the matter up with the commissioners, and in a five-to-one vote, they banned any Gay Pride displays from our local county libraries. It was obvious to us at Inkwood that this would be the focus of our display this year.

"We had a few of the banned titles on hand, and ordered the rest. We had bookmarks coming out of each title saying "Banned: Hillsborough County 2005." Many of our customers looked at them and asked, puzzled, 'What does this mean?' They were stunned to hear the truth. Thankfully, our mayor immediately came out against the rule, and it has served to motivate and invigorate local groups here."

Although King's Books in Tacoma, Washington, had built BBW displays in the past, this year the store's celebrations were expanded, with positive results. "We had three main events for Banned Books Week: a panel discussion, a film night, and storytime," said events coordinator Sweet Pea Flaherty. "We also collaborated with local letterpress printer Jessica Spring to create a brilliant BBW book in a matchbook format."

The films shown were Salt of the Earth, which was blacklisted, and Storm Center, which features Bette Davis as a small town librarian who refuses to remove a book on communism. The films drew a good turnout, said Flaherty. The panel discussed themes including censorship and intellectual freedom and included Brent Hartinger, author of Geography Club, and storytime featured readings from King & King and Heather Has Two Mommies -- all banned books.

The BBW matchbook, for sale at King's website http://www.kingsbookstore.com/, is stamped with the words "Open Mind Before Striking" and contains hand letterpress-printed pages with 24 challenged books grouped by what they are most challenged for, e.g. racism, sexual content, homosexuality. Between the panels are quotes about censorship and intellectual freedom.A portion of sale proceeds is being donated to Reading Is Fundamental.

Flaherty said the event generated sales and interest. King's will definitely mark BBW 2006, he said. "Customers are already looking forward to next year's events."

A Banned Books Week display at OSU Bookstore in Corvallis, Oregon. Detail below

At Maria's Bookshop in Durango, Colorado, bookseller Drea Firth said of the store's display, which included caution tape hung over the Book Sense Banned Books Top Ten list and several titles including America (The Book) and volumes in the Harry Potter series, "Like usual, everyone is so surprised -- they can't believe the number of titles that have been banned.... The caution tape fluttered in the vent and really drew attention to the display." Booksellers happily answered questions prompted by the presentation. "People didn't really know what it meant exactly to be banned," Firth said.

Maria's also placed bright orange tags reading "Banned Book" in censored titles. "Our fiction wall was cluttered with them and our children's section was the same way," Firth reported. "A lot of classics are the ones that have been frequently banned. The tags drew attention to older books that customers wouldn't necessarily be thinking about. Bless Me Ultima ... people are always so struck by that one. It was even burned just south of here in Farmington, New Mexico." Firth noted that at Maria's, "We all get really impassioned over the idea of censorship."

Read Between the Lynes in Woodstock, Illinois, combined its Banned Books Week event, which featured customers reading passages from their favorite banned book, with Bookseller Relief Fund efforts. Two percent of sales were donated to the fund. "It worked hand in hand," said owner Arlene Lynes. "It was perfect." Selections were read from 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and others.

The Highlander Bookshop at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, collaborated with the Office of Student Life and the campus library to hold readings by "campus celebrities" (faculty and staff) of various banned books. "It was quite intense," said Highlander's Christy Hart. "There was a lot of emotion. People were reading strong passages. I read from Arming America."

Highlander also set up a BBW display in the student center. "The students were shocked and amazed that so many of their favorite books were displayed," said Hart. "There were lively discussions among the students about problems of censorship. Many had no idea that many of the books they read in high school had been banned." --Karen Schechner