Read any banned books lately? You may have and not even known it. Each year the American Library Association promotes Banned Books Week to highlight books that have been challenged or banned through the years and to advocate for the freedom to read.

To celebrate Banned Books Week, which takes place this year from Sunday, Sept. 27, to Saturday, Oct. 2, Sims Library has joined with the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society and the Alpha Psi Omega Honor Society to present short readings and scenes from challenged and banned books. The program will be held on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. in the library lobby.  

In addition, a special episode of the award-winning radio program “Rock School” will air on Thursday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. on 90.9 KSLU. Co-hosts Dr. Joe Burns and Chad P., assisted by librarian Beth West, will feature songs that reference banned books, with fascinating trivia about these incendiary works. Visitors to the library can see a display of the titles that will be featured on the show and enter a drawing to win free books.

Come to the library, read a banned book and celebrate your freedom to read!