The Iowa City Public Library is “celebrating” Banned Books Week this week. The library, which has used its bookmobile to offer books to elementary students that are prohibited from Iowa schools, is promoting all kinds of “celebrations.”
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the library is hosting a drag family storytime. The event was originally supposed to happen at the University of Iowa, but was moved without explanation.
The library’s website encourages “fun costumes” as LGBTQ+ stories will be read and attendees will sing and dance.
“ICPL is celebrating intellectual freedom this week and advocating for the rights of library users to read, seek information and speak freely,” the website states.
Today the “Book to Art Club” is featuring Todd Parr, a picture book author and illustrator who the library states has had several books “banned” or “challenged.”
The event is intended for school-age children.
The library is also encouraging people to find books that “push boundaries” through Hoopla’s collection.
It is also sending people to Libby to check out their collection of “banned books” that are readily available.
And, for kids in 3-5 grades, they’re able to register for meetings to learn how to code. But it’s only for girls and “non-binary” youth — in grades 3-5.
[…] if local libraries decide to celebrate it. While Iowa City is highlighting the week with a drag family storytime, even small-town libraries like the Sibley Library are celebrating […]