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Chicago, IL- The Freedom to Read Foundation extends its congratulations to the 2018 Banned Books Week grants recipients. Each year the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) distributes grants to non-profit organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual Banned Books Week celebration, held this year from September 23-29. Funding is provided through the . This year's grant recipients include:

Handley Regional Library, Winchester, VA. Library staff will host an "Edible Banned Books Festival," where professional and amateur bakers create a banned book cake masterpiece. Local patrons and community partners will vote for noteworthy banned book delicacies and bid on their favorite cakes to then take home. All money raised will be donated to Literacy Volunteers of the Winchester Area.

Independence Public Library, Independence, KS.The library will promote three local events: a community-wide mural competition with a concept of the freedom to read; a debate between the local community college and high school debate teams about censorship; and “Rock the Block: I’m with the Banned,” a community-wide street celebration celebrating the freedom to read.

James F. Byrnes High School, Duncan, SC. In their program “Some Rights Reserved: South Carolina Speaks Out,” students and staff will highlight book challenges that have occurred in South Carolina and censorship issues in STEAM.

Moreno Valley High School Book Club, Moreno Valley, CA. The highschoolwill plan activities such as a banned book “cartmobile,” a jailbird photo booth opp, a hands on trivia game, crafts and an informal book discussion. This will be their first Banned Book Week/Freedom to Read event.

Suffolk Public Library, Suffolk, VA. Through their “Banning Books Silencing Stories: Alt Rebels” program, library staff, patrons, and community members of all ages will be given the opportunity to explore and focus on banned books as seen through the lens of an alternative universe scenario where books are banned, and ideas are dangerous.

Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC. The university will highlight books that have been banned across the state of North Carolina in libraries and in prison systems. Interactive week-long activities will build off this year’s theme of “Banning Books Silences Stories.”

Celebrate your freedom to read by planning events or displays for Banned Books Week, and stay tuned for updates and photos from our grant recipients. To learn more about Banned Books Week grants through FTRF, visit FTRF.org.