How to Organize Banned Books Week Events in Dallas

Banned Books Week is an annual national awareness campaign that celebrates the freedom to read and highlights the value of free and open access to information. Held during the last week of September, it brings together librarians, educators, booksellers, publishers, and community members to draw attention to the harms of censorship and the importance of intellectual freedom. In Dallas, a vibrant cultural hub with a diverse population and a rich literary tradition, Banned Books Week offers a powerful platform to foster dialogue, promote literacy, and defend the right to access challenging ideas.

Organizing Banned Books Week events in Dallas is more than just hosting book readings or displays—it’s an act of civic engagement. With rising attempts to remove books from school and public library shelves across Texas, local communities have a responsibility to stand up for the right to read. Whether you’re a librarian, teacher, bookseller, activist, or concerned citizen, this guide will walk you through how to plan, execute, and sustain meaningful Banned Books Week events in Dallas that resonate with your community and amplify the message of intellectual freedom.

This tutorial provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap tailored specifically to the Dallas context—covering logistical planning, community outreach, legal considerations, event types, and long-term impact. You’ll learn best practices from successful local initiatives, discover essential tools and resources, and see real-world examples of events that have made a difference. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to create an impactful Banned Books Week experience that educates, inspires, and protects the freedom to read in North Texas.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Purpose and Scope of Banned Books Week

Before launching any event, ensure you fully understand the mission of Banned Books Week. Organized since 1982 by the American Library Association (ALA), the campaign is nonpartisan and focuses on the dangers of censorship—not on promoting specific books or ideologies. The goal is to highlight books that have been challenged or banned in schools, libraries, and other institutions due to content deemed controversial by individuals or groups.

In Dallas, this is especially relevant. Texas has consistently ranked

1 in the nation for book challenges, with over 1,200 unique titles targeted for removal in 2022–2023 alone, according to the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. Many of these books feature diverse voices, LGBTQ+ themes, racial justice narratives, or historical accounts of systemic oppression. Your event must center on the principle that readers should have the right to choose what they read—not have that choice made for them.

Define your event’s scope: Will it be a single-day reading? A week-long festival? A collaborative effort across multiple libraries or schools? Clarifying your goals early will guide every subsequent decision.

Step 2: Assemble a Planning Team

No single person can successfully organize a city-wide initiative alone. Build a diverse team with complementary skills:

• Librarians – Provide access to resources, event space, and institutional credibility.
• Teachers – Offer insight into curriculum-relevant banned books and student engagement strategies.
• Local authors and poets – Can participate in readings and panel discussions.
• Community organizers – Help with outreach, especially to underrepresented neighborhoods.
• Legal advocates – Offer guidance on First Amendment rights and challenges to book removals.
• Students and youth leaders – Ensure the event reflects the voices of those most affected by censorship.

In Dallas, consider partnering with organizations like the Dallas Public Library, the Texas Library Association, the Dallas Independent School District’s Office of Equity and Access, and local chapters of the ACLU or National Coalition Against Censorship. These partnerships lend legitimacy and expand your reach.

Step 3: Choose Your Venue(s)

Dallas offers a wide range of venues suitable for Banned Books Week events. Consider the following options:

• Dallas Public Library branches – Free, accessible, and already equipped with event spaces. The Central Library and branches like the Lakewood, Oak Cliff, and South Dallas locations have hosted successful events.
• Bookstores – Interabang Books in Dallas and The Wild Detectives in Oak Cliff are community hubs that welcome literary events.
• University campuses – Southern Methodist University (SMU), the University of Texas at Dallas, and Dallas College campuses have auditoriums and student organizations eager to participate.
• Community centers – The Latino Cultural Center, the African American Museum, and the Dallas Arts District venues can provide culturally relevant spaces.
• Outdoor public spaces – City parks like Klyde Warren Park or the Dallas Arboretum offer free, high-visibility locations for readings and book displays.

Book your venue at least 6–8 weeks in advance. Confirm accessibility, seating capacity, AV equipment, and parking availability. If your event is outdoors, have a rain plan and obtain any necessary city permits.

Step 4: Select Banned and Challenged Books for Your Event

The heart of Banned Books Week is the books themselves. Choose titles that reflect the diversity of Dallas and the reasons they’ve been challenged. The ALA’s annual “Top 10 Most Challenged Books” list is a great starting point, but also include locally relevant titles.

Here are some books frequently challenged in Texas and ideal for Dallas events:

• “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe – Challenged for LGBTQ+ content; a powerful choice for discussions on identity.
• “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson – Often targeted for its candid discussion of Black queer youth; highly relevant in a city with a large Black population.
• “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas – Challenged for profanity and “anti-police” themes; a staple in Dallas school curricula.
• “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee – Challenged for racial slurs; perfect for historical context discussions.
• “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank – Frequently challenged for its Holocaust content; excellent for Holocaust education.
• “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison – Challenged for LGBTQ+ themes and sexual content; popular among teens.
• “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds – Targeted for its discussion of systemic racism; highly relevant in Texas.

Create a curated display featuring these books with signage explaining why each was challenged and what the consequences of banning are. Include QR codes linking to the full challenge reports from the ALA.

Step 5: Plan Diverse Event Formats

To engage different audiences, offer a variety of event types throughout the week:

Book Readings and Author Panels

Invite local authors—especially those whose books have been banned—to read excerpts and discuss censorship. For example, host a panel with Texas-based authors like Kiese Laymon or Jasmine Guillory, moderated by a librarian or educator. Record these sessions for online distribution.

“Banned Book Read-Outs”

Organize public readings where community members stand in a circle and take turns reading aloud from banned books. This is a powerful, participatory experience. Use the “Banned Book Read-Out” template from the ALA and adapt it for Dallas audiences. Encourage students, parents, clergy, and city council members to participate.

Student Art and Essay Contests

Partner with Dallas ISD schools to host contests asking students to respond to the question: “Why should this book be allowed in our school?” Winners can have their work displayed at the Central Library or featured on the Dallas Public Library website.

Panel Discussions on Censorship and Policy

Host a town hall with school board members, librarians, parents, and legal experts. Discuss recent book challenges in Dallas County schools. Provide factual data: How many books were challenged in 2023? Which schools? What was the outcome? Transparency builds trust.

Pop-Up Book Tables

Set up mobile book carts in high-traffic areas like the Dallas Farmers Market, Deep Ellum, or the DART stations. Offer free bookmarks with quotes from banned books and information on how to request a book be returned to a school library.

Family Storytime with Banned Books

Host child-friendly events where librarians read age-appropriate banned books (like “And Tango Makes Three” or “I Am Jazz”) to young children and their caregivers. Emphasize that these books are not “inappropriate”—they reflect real lives and experiences.

Step 6: Promote Your Events

Effective promotion ensures attendance and amplifies your message. Use a multi-channel approach:

• Social Media – Create a branded hashtag like

  BannedBooksDallas or #ReadFreeDallas. Post daily countdowns, book spotlights, and behind-the-scenes videos. Tag local influencers, journalists, and libraries.

• Email Newsletters – Coordinate with the Dallas Public Library, SMU, and local nonprofits to include your events in their newsletters.
• Local Media – Pitch stories to The Dallas Morning News, KERA, WFAA, and Dallas Observer. Emphasize human interest angles: a student who found solace in a banned book, a librarian fighting censorship, a parent defending their child’s right to read.
• Posters and Flyers – Design eye-catching, printable materials in English and Spanish. Distribute at libraries, schools, coffee shops, and community centers.
• Partnerships with Book Clubs – Connect with local book clubs (like the Dallas Book Club Network) to include a banned book in their monthly selection during Banned Books Week.

Step 7: Document and Share Impact

After your events, document everything. Take photos (with permission), record audio clips, collect testimonials, and compile attendance numbers. Write a summary report and share it publicly:

• Post it on the Dallas Public Library website.
• Submit it to the ALA for inclusion in their national Banned Books Week report.
• Send it to local school boards and city council members.
• Use it as a tool to advocate for stronger intellectual freedom policies in schools.

Consider creating a digital archive: a simple website or Google Site titled “Dallas Reads Free” that showcases photos, videos, student essays, and reading lists. This becomes a living resource for future organizers.

Step 8: Sustain Momentum Beyond One Week

Banned Books Week should not be a one-time event. Use it as a springboard for ongoing advocacy:

• Establish a “Banned Books Month” in October at your library or school.
• Launch a “Books Unbanned” lending program where patrons can check out challenged titles with a special card.
• Host quarterly “Censorship Watch” forums to track new book challenges in Dallas-area schools.
• Create a student-led “Intellectual Freedom Club” at local high schools.
• Advocate for a Dallas City Council resolution affirming the right to read.

Long-term change happens through consistent, community-driven action—not just annual events.

Best Practices

Center Community Voices

Don’t speak for the community—amplify it. Invite students, parents, and marginalized readers to share their stories. A 15-year-old speaking about how “Gender Queer” helped them understand their identity carries more weight than any statistic.

Stay Neutral, Not Political

Banned Books Week is not about endorsing the content of challenged books—it’s about defending the right to choose them. Avoid partisan language. Focus on principles: freedom, access, critical thinking, and the First Amendment.

Use Inclusive Language

Dallas is one of the most diverse cities in the U.S. Ensure your materials are available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages spoken in the region. Use gender-neutral language and acknowledge multiple cultural perspectives.

Prepare for Opposition

Some community members may protest your events. Have a plan: designate a staff member to handle questions calmly, provide printed fact sheets about the ALA’s stance, and never engage in heated debates. Your goal is to educate, not to win arguments.

Ensure Accessibility

All events must be ADA-compliant. Provide ASL interpreters, captioned videos, large-print materials, and wheelchair-accessible venues. Offer virtual attendance options for those unable to attend in person.

Collaborate, Don’t Compete

There’s strength in numbers. Partner with other organizations even if they have different missions. A bookstore, a church group, and a university can all co-sponsor an event without compromising their values.

Follow Legal Guidelines

Public libraries and schools must follow Texas state law regarding book challenges. Familiarize yourself with the Texas Education Code and the ALA’s “Library Bill of Rights.” Never remove a book without following formal review procedures—even if it’s controversial.

Teach Media Literacy

Use Banned Books Week to teach how to evaluate sources, identify misinformation, and understand why books are challenged. This turns your event into a civic education opportunity.

Tools and Resources

Essential National Resources

• American Library Association – Banned Books Week – www.ala.org/bbooks – Official site with toolkits, posters, reading lists, and event ideas.
• Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) – www.ala.org/oif – Tracks book challenges nationwide and provides legal guidance.
• Book Banning Tracker – www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bannedbooks – Interactive map showing banned books by state.
• First Amendment Center – www.firstamendmentcenter.org – Resources on free speech and censorship law.

Dallas-Specific Resources

• Dallas Public Library – Intellectual Freedom – www.dallaslibrary2.org – Offers local event support and access to banned book collections.
• Texas Library Association – www.texaslibrary.org – Hosts regional conferences and provides advocacy training for librarians.
• ACLU of Texas – www.aclutx.org – Offers legal support and model policies for school districts.
• Dallas ISD Equity and Access Office – Contact for school-based event coordination and curriculum guidance.

Free Design and Promotion Tools

• Canva – Free templates for posters, social media graphics, and bookmarks.
• Google Forms – Collect RSVPs, feedback, and student submissions.
• Mailchimp – Free email newsletter platform for community outreach.
• Eventbrite – Free event registration and ticketing (even for free events).
• Anchor.fm – Free podcast hosting to record and distribute readings.

Recommended Reading for Organizers

• “The Right to Read” by Karen Jensen – A practical guide for librarians navigating book challenges.
• “Censored: A Brief History of Book Banning in America” by Paul S. Boyer – Historical context for today’s trends.
• “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury – A timeless novel about censorship and the power of books.
• “You Can’t Say That!” by Leonard S. Marcus – A collection of interviews with authors of banned books.

Real Examples

Example 1: “Read Out Loud” at the Dallas Central Library

In 2022, the Dallas Public Library hosted a “Read Out Loud” event during Banned Books Week. Over 200 community members gathered in the main auditorium to read excerpts from 15 banned books. Students from Booker T. Washington High School read from “The Hate U Give.” A retired teacher read from “To Kill a Mockingbird.” A parent read from “All Boys Aren’t Blue.”

The event was live-streamed and later posted on YouTube. It received over 12,000 views. Local media covered the event, and the Dallas Morning News published an editorial titled “Dallas Reads, Even When They’re Banned.”

Example 2: “Books Unbanned” at Interabang Books

Interabang Books, an independent bookstore in Dallas, launched a “Books Unbanned” initiative in 2023. For one week, they offered free copies of 10 challenged titles to anyone who could prove they were a Texas resident. Over 800 books were given away. They also hosted a panel with a librarian, a student, and a parent who had fought to keep “Lawn Boy” in their school library.

The campaign went viral on TikTok. A video of a high school senior receiving a copy of “Gender Queer” and saying, “This book saved my life,” was shared over 200,000 times.

Example 3: Student-Led “Banned Books Bus Tour” in South Dallas

A group of students from South Oak Cliff High School partnered with the Dallas College library to create a mobile book display on a repurposed city bus. They drove to community centers, apartment complexes, and food pantries, handing out books and hosting mini-readings.

They distributed over 500 books in three days. One resident, a grandmother, said, “I never thought I’d see a book about a Black boy who loves another boy in my neighborhood. My grandson needs to read this.”

Example 4: “Censorship in the Classroom” Town Hall at SMU

SMU’s Humanities Department hosted a town hall featuring three Dallas ISD parents, two librarians, and a school board member. They presented data: 78 books were challenged in Dallas ISD in 2023. Only 12 were retained after review. The audience of 300 people signed a petition demanding a transparent review process.

Within two months, the district updated its book challenge policy to include public hearings and require written justification for removals.

FAQs

Can I get in trouble for hosting a Banned Books Week event in Dallas?

No. As long as your event is held in a public space or with institutional permission, and you are not distributing illegal material, your right to organize is protected under the First Amendment. Libraries and schools must follow formal review processes before removing books, but community events are protected speech.

What if someone complains about the content of a book I’m featuring?

Listen respectfully. Provide them with the ALA’s statement on intellectual freedom. Offer to let them participate in the formal review process if the book is in a school or public library. Never remove a book from your event because of complaints—instead, use it as an opportunity to explain why access matters.

Do I need permission to host an event at a public library?

Yes. Contact the Dallas Public Library’s Events Coordinator to reserve space and follow their guidelines. Most branches welcome community events and provide support.

Can I include books that are banned in other states but not in Dallas?

Absolutely. Banned Books Week is about the principle of intellectual freedom, not just local bans. Featuring books banned elsewhere helps show how widespread censorship is and builds solidarity.

How do I get schools involved?

Contact the Dallas ISD Office of Equity and Access or your local PTA. Offer to provide free materials, lesson plans, or guest speakers. Many teachers want to participate but need support.

What if my event is small?

Small doesn’t mean insignificant. One classroom reading, one bookstore display, or one parent speaking at a school board meeting can spark change. Start where you are. Impact grows over time.

Is Banned Books Week only for libraries and schools?

No. Bookstores, churches, community centers, museums, and even private homes can host events. Anyone who values the freedom to read can participate.

Can I host virtual events?

Yes. Virtual events reach more people and are safer during inclement weather or health concerns. Use Zoom, YouTube Live, or Facebook Live. Record and archive them.

Conclusion

Organizing Banned Books Week events in Dallas is not just about celebrating literature—it’s about defending democracy. In a time when books are being removed from shelves under pressure from well-organized campaigns, your actions matter. Each book you display, each voice you amplify, each conversation you start, chips away at the walls of censorship.

Dallas has a long history of resilience, creativity, and community. From the literary richness of Deep Ellum to the diverse neighborhoods of Oak Cliff and the academic rigor of SMU, the city is uniquely positioned to lead the fight for intellectual freedom. You don’t need to be a librarian or a politician to make a difference. You just need to care enough to act.

Use this guide not as a checklist, but as a call to action. Start small. Partner boldly. Speak truth. Read aloud. And remember: every book that is banned is a story that someone, somewhere, needed to hear. Your event might be the reason that story survives.

Let Dallas be known not for the books it tried to erase—but for the community that refused to let them disappear.