About this Event

Let freedom read.

Library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles those reported in 2021.

Join your fellow rebel readers to speak out against censorship and celebrate the books someone has tried to remove or ban from schools and libraries during the 11th annual Banned Books Read-Out.

Sign up to read an excerpt from a banned or challenged book and listen to others as they read from their favorites. For inspiration, take a look at the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books of 2022.

Walk-up readers are welcome, though advance sign-ups are encouraged and will receive priority. Sign up to read here.

This event is co-hosted by the Library, Museums and Press and the Department of English. In case of inclement weather, the Read-Out will be moved to the Class of 1941 Lecture Room in Morris Library.

The Read-Out is open to the public. All are welcome to drop in. Giveaways and book raffles will be available.

This event is part of our Banned Books Week programming, where we celebrate our freedom to read and highlight the harms of censorship.