City of Rock Island, IL
09/20/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 16:04
Celebrating the Freedom to Read Sept. 24
Volunteers from the Rock Island Public Library and Midwest Writing Center will stand up for the Freedom to Read at a special Banned Books Week "read-out" on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street.
The Banned Books Read Out starts at 5:30 pm with refreshments, and continues with live public readings from 6:00 to 7:30 pm of challenged or banned works. Attendees may come to read or just listen. The event also includes free drawings for Banned Books buttons and other items with this year's "Freed Between the Lines" theme.
This annual event is co-presented with the Midwest Writing Center and Rock Island Public Library in recognition of Banned Books Week, Sept. 22 to 28. The event features five-minute readings from books challenged for their right to remain available to the public. Local volunteers will share passages from works that have faced censorship challenges, and what the freedom to read means to them.
"Given the accelerating attacks against free expression in recent years, events like this have taken on an increased importance. We want to make it clear that our community supports the importance of free expression. A wide range of people - librarians, writers, artists, musicians, journalists, educators, broadcasters and more will be raising their voices in support of the freedom to read and view," said event moderator and MWC executive director Ryan Collins.
Added Angela Campbell, Rock Island Public Library director, "Intellectual freedom is, ultimately, the freedom of discovery. It's the right of each individual to choose what they want to read, listen to, or view. When those protected freedoms are threatened, so is democracy. Banned Books Week highlights our constitutionally-protected freedoms to make our own decisions about what we choose to read and believe."
Reading spots are still available. To volunteer, contact Collins at the Midwest Writing Center, (309) 732-7330 or email [email protected].
For more information about the event, contact the Midwest Writing Center, visit the Rock Island Library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org or call the library at 309-732-READ.
The event is free and open to the public. While the event is open to all, attendees should be aware that some readings will include mature content.