Banned Books Week: Virtual Read-Out

Have you ever heard of a virtual read-out? It's okay, neither did I until recently. Apparently, "since the inception of Banned Books Week in 1982, libraries and bookstores throughout the country have staged local read-outs—a continuous reading of banned/challenged books... Now, readers from across the country and around the world will be able to participate virtually during Banned Books Week, September 21 – 27, 2014." Who knew?

According to Bannedbooks.org:

Participants may proclaim the importance of the freedom to read by posting videos that will be featured on a dedicated Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out YouTube channel.

Video criteria:

• Choose a favorite banned/challenged book and talk about what the book meant to you and how you would feel if someone prevented you from reading it.
• A reading of a banned or challenged book. The video should include information on where and why the book was banned or challenged. You may also wish to add your thoughts on the importance of keeping that particular book on library or bookstore shelves.
• Discuss an eyewitness accounts of local challenges.
• For those who are camera shy, you can still participate in the Banned Books Virtual Read-out by creating a video montage that centers on banned/challenged books. Thomas University created a video last year that can be used as an example.

Submitting your video:

Submit your video by filling out this form. You must have a YouTube/Gmail account in order to upload to YouTube.

Are you looking for a way to celebrating your freedom to read? If you would like to participate in the Virtual Read-Out, please see Ms. Stack in the library.