Banned Books Week 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 since 1982 according to the American Library Association. Check out some of the banned books online at: http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/about.

The event will take place in front of the Somerville Central Library on Saturday, October 1 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Main Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave.

Notable Somerville officials are being invited to participate in this event and to come read excerpts from various banned books. If you wish to participate, please email Erica Jones at ejones@scatvsomerville.org. You can bring your own book that has been threatened to be banned or pick from a reading that the library provides.

SCATV will be filming this event.