In recognition of Banned Books Week 2023 (Oct. 1-7), the Wyomissing Public Library will host two special programs. The first is a reading, “After the Burning: A Poetic Reflection on Banned Books,” by Susan L. Peña, a journalist and poet, on Monday, Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. Peña will read her poems, and several members of the theater community will read passages from the books she mentions in the poems. The reading will be followed by an open discussion with the audience.
Peña has written six poems about her personal experiences with books that now appear on many banned book lists. Her poems have arisen out of her concern about the removal of books deemed harmful to children and teens from school and public libraries by some political leaders and parents. For more information on targeted books, visit https://pen.org/report/banned-in-the-usa-state-laws-supercharge-book-suppression-in-schools/.
On Saturday, Oct. 7 at 12 noon, two area organizations, the Berks InterCultural Alliance (BICA) and Red Wine & Blue, will host “Banned Books Bingo.” The Bingo game is an adaptation of the traditional game and offers players an opportunity to learn about book banning and what it means to our society. Players who win will receive a copy of a banned book as their prize.
The American Library Association helped to found Banned Books Week in 1982 as a celebration of the freedom to read. It is a member of the international Banned Books Week Coalition. This year’s theme is “Let Freedom Read.”
The Wyomissing Public Library is located at 9 Reading Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610. Both programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested: [email protected], or call the library at 610-374-2385.
