MOUNT VERNON – What do "Charlotte’s Web," "The Kite Runner," "The Diary of Anne Frank," "Out of Darkness," "The Giver," "Of Mice and Men," "The Bluest Eye," "The Hate U Give," the Captain Underpants series, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and the Bible have in common? All of these books – many of which are classics read in school for decades – have been banned by school districts and faced challenges in public libraries across the country. 

“Banned Books Week” is coming up September 19-24, and the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County announced a new partnership with international literary organization PEN America. The library will work in concert with PEN America to present a book giveaway and community read of Ray Bradbury’s timeless classic, "Fahrenheit 451." Bradbury’s book is widely taught and quite popular – despite the fact that it has also been banned many times since its publication in 1953. Given the book’s cultural reach and its appeal across generations of readers, the library selected "Fahrenheit 451" as a unifying text for this year’s Banned Books Week theme, “Books Unite Us, Censorship Divides Us.” 

Library Director John K. Chidester said, “Freedom of inquiry, freedom of expression, the freedom to read, and free access to the universe of ideas are all critically important human rights that come under assault daily in communities across America. It is our duty as advocates for these rights to resist their erosion. It is the library’s aim to raise everyday citizens’ awareness of the dangers to freedom and democracy that arise from these assaults on intellectual freedom.  I can think of no better vehicle than Ray Bradbury’s 'Fahrenheit 451' to accomplish that purpose.”

William Johnson, PEN Across America program director, said, “PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.” 

The "Fahrenheit 451" book giveaway began Sept. 1, and books will be available at all PLMVKC branches, Paragraphs Bookstore, the Kenyon College Bookstore, and Happy Bean Coffee during business hours, while supplies last. 

Additional Banned Books Week activities include:

• Online book discussion of "Fahrenheit 451" with Banned Books Week co-chairs Alyssa Gómez Lawrence and Debbie Nabubwaya Chambers at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19. Register for this event at https://bit.ly/3zQkySB. 
• Lunchtime chat about banned books and "Fahrenheit 451" with PLMVKC Librarian Christie in the west parking lot at the main library on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at noon. A complimentary box lunch will be provided for the first 20 registered attendees. Space is limited and registration closes Sept. 16. Sign up at https://bit.ly/3JQ0zb8.
• Teen MakerSpace movie night. Patrons age 13-18 are welcome to attend a screening of "Fahrenheit 451" at the main library on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 4-7 p.m. Pizza and books provided.
• On Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m., the library will host a panel and community discussion of "Fahrenheit 451" with John K. Chidester and guests Nicole Terez Dutton, Abby Erler, Jeff Gottke and Julia Warga. There will be cocoa and conversation at Ariel Foundation Park's Knox County Foundation Pavilion, 10 Pittsburgh Ave., Mount Vernon. Registration required: https://bit.ly/3pjb5hU.

“Banned Books Week” is the annual celebration of the freedom to read. The event is sponsored by a coalition of organizations dedicated to free expression, including American Booksellers for Free Expression, American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of University Presses, Authors Guild, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Freedom to Read Foundation, Index on Censorship, National Book Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Council of Teachers of English, PEN America, People For the American Way Foundation, PFLAG, and Project Censored. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

All library programs are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required for most events. For more information or to register for Banned Books Week programming, visit www.knox.net, email knoxwrites1@gmail.com or call 740-392-2665, Ext. 259.