Kirkwood Public Library invites everyone to participate in a citywide and community-wide read-in on Monday, October 2 to kick off Banned Books Week. Hang out in the library or on the library lawn with your favorite book and a blanket and Let Freedom READ. Don’t forget to post to social media and tag us with the hashtag #STLReadsTogether. 

Not sure what to read? Participate in our banned books book tasting. Try a book you’re not sure of, and let us know which books challenged your perception most. Go to the magazine area to find a book. You can read more about banned & challenged books on the ALA website.

With a focus on creating dialogue around themes of community, literacy, and intellectual freedom, a read-in is the Library’s day-long effort to have the community read (or listen) to books on current and relevant topics and from there participate in discussions, book clubs, and events hosted by the Library and community partners. 

Modeled after D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) Day, which is held annually in April, the read-in is a celebration designed to remind everyone to make reading a priority activity in their lives.