Banned Books Week: Oct 4 - 11

Below is a full list of activities happening here at Plymouth or in our community for Banned Books Week!

On Display Now: “Banned: Hazardous Materials Art Exhibit”

• Photography and collage images, each focusing on a banned book, created by New York artist Diane King, also creating under the name #Hashtag.

  • WHEN: Sept. 6 through Oct. 18 in Waveland Gallery (hall outside of Waveland)

  • Click here to learn more about this exhibit and Diane King.

• Artist’s Video

  • Diane King, featured artist, has provided a 13-minute video supporting her artwork in the gallery exhibit. The video will be available for viewing. More details to come.

  • WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4 to Sunday, Oct. 12

Saturday, Oct. 4

• Artist Workshop: Registration required!

  • Work with artist Diane King, learn about her creative process and focus on social issues, and make a collage based on a banned book. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

  • WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Rooms 305 and 306. This event is free, but space is limited. Click here to register.

• Artist Reception

  • Meet and visit with artist Diane King, tour the exhibit, and enjoy a reception with light refreshments in Common Grounds and the Waveland Gallery.

  • WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 5

• Diane King in Forum

  • Join us in Forum to hear from Diane King.

  • WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 5 from 10-10:50 a.m. in Common Grounds

• Censorship and Banned Books Panel and lunch: Registration required!

  • Join our panelists for a light lunch and learn about the current status of censorship and banned books in Iowa and beyond.

  • WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 5 at 12:15 p.m. in Waveland Hall

  • Panelists include:

    • Kevin and Mollie Cooney, moderators

    • Janet Petersen, Iowa State Senator

    • Jacquie Easley, Black Child Development Institute

    • Sara Parris, Annie’s Foundation

    • Mark Stringer, Executive Director, Iowa ACLU

  • This event is free, but we need a headcount for food. Click here to register.

Children and Young Adult Book Exchange, Sept. 28 - Oct. 12

• As part of Plymouth’s Banned Books events, a book exchange for children and youth will take place, and all Plymouth children and youth are invited to participate. All children’s and YA books will be accepted; they do not need to be on a Banned Book list. Children and youth are invited to bring books and then select books and take them home. All remaining books will be donated to Black Child Development Institute.

• Where to drop books off at Plymouth Church

  • Sunday, September 28 - Saturday, October 4

  • Look for boxes in the third floor elevator lobby and close to the welcome desk.

• Book exchange open for business!

  • Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5
    Southwest corner of Waveland Hall 

  • Monday, Oct. 6 - 12
    Third floor elevator lobby

  • Please contact Beth Ann Edwards (bedwards@plymouthchurch.com) with questions or comments.

We need volunteers to help with Banned Books week!

We are looking for volunteers to help make the weekend’s activities successful. There are a variety of one-and-done volunteer opportunities. The committee is working with several community partners, and we hope to bring in a good number of participants from the Metro area. Your time and commitment to social justice issues will show our generous Plymouth hospitality to all who enter our doors.

Click here for a full list of volunteer needs.

If you have questions, please contact Beth Ann Edwards (bedwards@plymouthchurch.com).

The Plymouth Gallery Committee and Board of Spiritual Growth and Adult Education are co-sponsoring an art exhibit and series of events during Banned Book Week, Oct. 4-12. These events are designed to inform us on the current situation regarding censorship and banned books in Iowa and the United States, and to help shape our response to these issues.

Community Events

Tuesday, Oct. 7

• Book Readings at the Des Moines Pride Center

  • OUT Loud readings at The Des Moines Pride Center in Mickle Center for all ages.

  • WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. (children), 6 p.m. (young adults), and 7 p.m. (adults)

  • WHERE: Pride Center, 1629 Pleasant St. in DSM

• “The Librarians” Documentary

  • Drake University and Varsity Cinema will co-host a special screening of the documentary.

  • WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

  • WHERE: Varsity Cinema (1207 25th St. in DSM)

Wednesday, Oct. 8

• Author Visit: Amanda Jones

• Drake University hosts Amanda Jones, author of “That Librarian: Fighting Book Banners in Today’s America.” This book explores the importance of libraries serving a wide range of perspectives and the pushback she and other librarians have faced speaking up for the right to read.

• WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

• WHERE: Olmstead Center on the Drake campus (2875 University Ave. in DSM)

Saturday, Oct. 11

• Annual Banned Books Festival

• Beaverdale Books and Annie’s Foundation host the Annual Banned Book Festival.

• WHEN: Saturday, October 11 from 12-5 p.m.

• WHERE: Franklin Junior High (4801 Franklin Ave. in DSM)