Let Freedom Read! Banned Book Week Events

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas.

Curious about what's being banned? Check our catalog for the top 13 most challenged books in 2022, according to the American Library Association. 

Banned Book Scavenger Hunt

Shine a light on censorship and maybe learn something new! Stop by the front desk, pick up your clue sheet and flashlight and begin the search! "Hidden" around the library are books that have been banned throughout the years. Find all the books and discover some of the reasons why these books were banned.

Sunday, October 1 through Saturday, October 7, all day long at Vickery Park Branch

Banned Books Read-In with North Dallas Silent Book Club

Take a stand and read banned books with Silent Book Club North Dallas! We'll meet at The Spin Coffee and Vinyl (facebook.com/spincoffeevinyl/about) to read, drink coffee and just savor being in the company of other readers. Bring any banned book you choose or grab one from our on-site Banned Books Library.

Tuesday, October 3 at 6 p.m.  The Spin Coffee and Vinyl

Harry Potter Trivia

How much do you know about Harry Potter? Ready to prove it? Compete in the Harry Potter Trivia Contest!  All questions will come from the seven main books. Question difficulty ranges from easy to impossible. Included is a bonus round in which you’ll have an opportunity to stump our own in-house Harry Potter Trivia expert!

Tuesday, October 3 at 6 p.m.  Hampton-Illinois Branch

Reading Circles: Banned Books Escape Room!

Our regularly scheduled Reading Circles has been preempted by an escape room! Use your knowledge of banned books to escape from our puzzle room.

Wednesday, October 4 at 4 p.m.  Prairie Creek Branch

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

Banned Books Tile Coasters

Make your favorite banned book's cover into a tile coaster! All materials provided while supplies last. Registration is required.

Wednesday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m.  Lakewood Branch

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

Blackout Poetry   

Want to celebrate Banned Books Week while making your own memento? Make Blackout Poetry with us! We will use book pages and Sharpies to mark out words and make our own poems to take home. We will also be discussing all things Banned Books. Registration is required.

Thursday, October 5 at 6 p.m.   Polk-Wisdom Branch

Banned Book Trivia   

In honor of Banned Books Week, Dallas Public Library is hosting a banned books trivia night with the Wild Detectives Book Store and Coffee Shop (thewilddetectives.com). Get a team together, grab your preferred beverage and test your knowledge of banned books at one of Dallas's best independent book stores.

Friday, October 6 at 7 p.m.  Wild Detectives Book Store and Coffee Shop

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library.

Banned Book Trivia 

Learn about the history of banned books in this game show-style presentation. 

Saturday, October 7 at 11 a.m.  Skyline Branch