CSW LIBRARY x IDEA COMMITTEE ACTION HOURS: 

BANNED BOOKS

The CSW Library is partnering with IDEA Committee to host an Action Hours in recognition of Banned Books Week, which occurs annually in September. This year, Banned Books Week is observed September 21 - 28, 2024. Students are encouraged to attend Action Hours to help build momentum for libraries, schools, and other non profits that face challenges to books they make available to young people. 

Book resumes, built by volunteers during Action Hours, help eductors distribute information about frequently challenged and banned titles in the hopes of educating folks on the materials in question. These resume serve as quick distribution of information about a book -- awards and accolades, starred reviews, and even responses to challenges that educators can use in the moment or distribute in their libraries and schools.

These materials are being made available to a wider audience to support the work of those fighting challenges across Massachusetts and the United States.

Have quesitons? Reach out to IDEA Committee co-heads, MJ and J'Nyla, or the CSW Library at library@csw.org.

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES AND ACCESSING RESOURCES

Source: American Library Association, Banned and Challenged Books 2023

TAKE ACTION

ACTION HOURS PARTICIPANT?

CREATE A BOOK RESUME FOR DISTRIBUTION

STEP 1: OPEN OUR TEMPLATE AND MAKE A COPY 

Need to see an example? Check this one out by Gillian Lamb '26

STEP 2: NAME THE FILE BOOK RESUME: [BOOK TITLE}

STEP 3: COMPLETE THE BOOK RESUME AND DROP IN THIS FOLDER

WRITE LETTERS FOR THE DEAR BANNED AUTHOR CAMPAIGN (to support authors, educators, and library workers)

USE THIS LIST TO FIND AN AUTHOR AND THEIR ADDRESS SO YOU CAN SEND THEM A CARD

Help spread the word. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to declare your right to read.