DC Public Library will join hundreds of other libraries around the country in celebration of Banned Books Week from Sept. 23 – 29. This year marks the 36th annual celebration of Banned Books Week, launched in 1982 in response to the rising number of challenges to books in stores, schools and libraries. The week will feature a variety of events including a Hunger Wall Poster workshop and projection art.
For the fourth year, DC Public Library will also be bringing back its highly anticipated #UncensoredDC Banned Book Scavenger Hunt, a city-wide scavenger hunt throughout the month. Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 4, hundreds of specially covered banned books will be hidden at various locations around the city. The clues to finding the banned books will be announced every day from Sept. 4 – 28 on-air through WAMU, as well as through the DCPL social media platforms. The 2018 theme for the scavenger hunt is “Words Ignite: The Literature of Activism.” The title of each book hidden during the length of the scavenger hunt will reflect how literature can be a tool for change. The persons who locate the banned books not only can keep the discovered books, but they can also win prizes including museum tickets, gift certificates to local restaurants and even tickets to the UNCENSORED Cocktail Party.
UNCENSORED is the annual fundraiser for DC Public Library Foundation, which celebrates the freedom to read, create and express. The 2018 UNCENSORED Cocktail Party will take place at Blind Whino on Sept. 28 at 7:00 p.m. Partygoers will experience special banned book-themed cocktails created by D.C.’s best local bartenders, performances by local musicians, art installations designed by local artists, a Made In DC pop-up market and much more!
Residents can learn more about the 2018 Banned Books Week and buy tickets for the UNCENSORED Cocktail Party at dcplf.org/uncensored2018.
BY Katelynd Mahoney Anderson