In honor of national Banned Books Week, Sept. 21 through 27, the Seattle Public Library will host story times and film screenings at several library locations. The events celebrate the freedom to read and encourage discussions on why books are banned.
Scheduled events include:
“Banned Books: Which and Why?” — Hot Topics for Seniors and Senior Wannabees! presents the discussion Brown-bag lunches are welcome.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Green Lake Branch (7364 E. Green Lake Drive N.), (206) 684-7547
Banned Books Story Time — Stories and songs celebrating the freedom to read, for children up to age 5 and their families:
10:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 22, at the Capitol Hill Branch, 425 Harvard Ave. E., (206) 684-4715 — for children ages 3 to 8 and their families
10:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 24, at the Capitol Hill Branch (425 Harvard Ave. E., (206) 684-4715
11 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 25, at the Madrona/Sally Goldmark Branch (1134 33rd Ave.), (206) 684-4705
10:30 to 11 a.m. Sept. 27, at the Central Library (1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Anne Marie Gault Story Hour Room), (206) 386-4636 — for children ages 3 to 8 and their families
Banned! Books in Drag — A free evening of drag and literature, hosted by The Stranger’s David Schmader; for ages 21 and older
6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27, at Neighbours Nightclub (1509 Broadway), (206) 324-5358
Banned Book Film Series, Sept. 20 through Oct. 4
“Bless Me Ultima” (PG-13) — 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 20, at the Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave. S.), (206) 684-4711
“The Hours” (PG-13) — 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 24, at the Northgate Branch (10548 Fifth Ave. N.E.), (206) 386-1980
“Maurice” (R) — 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25, at the Northgate Branch (10548 Fifth Ave. N.E.), (206) 386-1980
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (PG-13) — 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26, at the Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., (206) 386-1980
“Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (G) — 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 27, at the NewHolly Branch (7058 32nd Ave. S.), (206) 386-1905
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” (TV-14) — 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4, at the Rainier Beach Branch (9125 Rainier Ave. S.), (206) 386-1906
For more information, visit www.spl.org/audiences/all-ages/banned-books.
The programs are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Free parking is available at the branches. Parking is available in the Central Library garage at the regular rates. Street parking is available at Neighbors Nightclub.
Banned Books Week is the national book community’s annual celebration of 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. More than 11,300 books have been challenged nationally since 1982 according to the American Library Association.
For more information, call (206) 386-4636.