Banned Books Week is October 1 - 7, 2023. Celebrate the freedom to read with Secretary Giannoulias this fall at these featured events.
Banned Books Week Events
Printers Row Lit Fest – September 9, 2023, at 11:15 a.m. CDT
Stop by the Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation Stage to hear Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias provide welcoming remarks and speak about his landmark, first-in-the-nation legislation to prohibit book banning in Illinois. The event is free, and tickets are not required. Seating is first come, first served.
View the festival schedule.
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Hearing – September 12, 2023, at 10 a.m. EDT
Tune in to hear Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias testify about how book bans threaten our First Amendment rights and democracy. A livestream of the hearing is available
here.
Law at the Library – Know Your Rights: Book Bans and the Law – September 26, 2023, at 6 p.m. CDT
Mark your calendars for a special presentation on book bans by the Chicago Bar Association featuring Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. The event is free, and doors open at 5:30 PM. Seating is first come, first served.
View more details.
Book Challenges on the Rise: Support Your Freedom to Read – October 2, 2023, at 7 p.m. CDT
Register today to join this virtual webinar featuring Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. Attendees will hear how book bans infringe upon people’s rights under the First Amendment and how Illinois is fighting back. The event is free and will be held on Zoom. View more details and register.
AISLE Annual Conference – October 3, 2023, at 12 p.m. CDT
Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) members are encouraged to attend the lunch buffet where Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will discuss how his work as State Librarian affects school librarians across Illinois.
ScaleLIT’s Night of 1,000 Stars – October 3, 2023, at 6 p.m. CDT
Register to attend ScaleLIT’s Night of 1,000 Stars, where Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will deliver opening remarks and recognize the thousands of adult learners who have persevered and triumphed in their quest for education. Check back here for more details and the link to register.
Illinois Secretary of State Banned Book Readout – October 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. CDT
Attention University of Illinois-Chicago students! Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will be at the Richard J. Daley Library with a special guest for an author reading and fireside chat on how book bans threaten intellectual freedom and silence the voices of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. The event is free and open to UIC students and faculty only. Check back here for the registration link.
ILA Statewide Annual Membership Meeting – October 25, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. CDT
Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias will deliver remarks during the Illinois Library Association’s annual membership meeting. All members are welcome to attend.