Banned Books Readout
Location
About
Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.
What happens when a book disappears from a shelf?
Join community members, authors, actors, musicians, poets, educators, and advocates for an inspiring evening celebrating the freedom to read and the power of ideas.
As book challenges and bans continue to rise across the country, Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read. reminds us that access to information, diverse voices, and free expression are fundamental to a healthy democracy.
Throughout the evening, local performers will read powerful passages from books that have been banned or challenged, illustrating themes of free speech, intellectual freedom, privacy, and the importance of resisting censorship. The program will also include a brief update on the current state of book challenges nationally, in New York, and in our local community.
This free community event is presented by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and Albany Public Library, in partnership with a coalition of community organizations committed to protecting intellectual freedom, including:
- League of Women Voters of Albany County
- Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
- Albany (NY) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Together, these organizations invite readers, educators, and community members to stand in support of the freedom to read and the right to explore ideas without censorship.
Whether you’re a lifelong reader, an educator, a student, a parent, or simply someone who believes ideas should never be silenced, we hope you’ll join us for this meaningful evening.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
Recommended for participants ages 16+.
This program is part of Banned Books Week, the annual national observance celebrating the freedom to read and raising awareness of attempts to restrict access to books. For more than four decades, Banned Books Week has encouraged readers, libraries, educators, authors, and communities to stand together in defense of intellectual freedom and the right of every person to explore diverse ideas and perspectives.