As a longtime member of the Banned Books Week Coalition, CBLDF is pleased to welcome our newest partner in the annual event: the UK’s Index on Censorship! As the first international member of the coalition, Index will host several events across the pond during Banned Books Week 2017, September 24-30.
The Banned Books Week Coalition is an alliance of diverse organisations joined by a commitment to increase awareness of the annual celebration of the freedom to read. The Coalition seeks to engage various communities and inspire participation in Banned Books Week through education, advocacy, and the creation of programming about the problem of book censorship.
Index on Censorship is a London-based non-profit organization that publishes work by censored writers and artists, and campaigns against censorship worldwide. Since its founding in 1972, Index on Censorship has published some of the greatest names in literature in its award-winning quarterly magazine, including Samuel Beckett, Nadine Gordimer, Mario Vargas Llosa, Arthur Miller and Kurt Vonnegut.
“We are very excited to have Index on Censorship join the coalition,” said Charles Brownstein, Chair of the Banned Books Week Coalition and Executive Director of CBLDF. “Their work not only aligns with our mission, but will bring an international perspective and awareness to our annual celebration of the freedom to read.”
Other members of the Banned Books Week Coalition include American Booksellers for Free Expression, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, Association of American University Presses, Authors’ Guild, Dramatists Legal Defense Fund, Freedom to Read Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, National Council of Teachers of English, People For the American Way, PEN America, and Project Censored.
The theme for this year’s Banned Books Week will be “Our Right to Read.” If you’re a librarian, educator, or retailer looking to plan events and promote frequently banned or challenged books during the awareness week, watch for CBLDF’s annual Banned Books Week Handbook, in stores on August 30!
Help support CBLDF’s important First Amendment work in 2017 by visiting the Rewards Zone, making a donation, or becoming a member of CBLDF!