11 Banned Books Week Display Ideas

Ah, Banned Books Week. It's coming up, just next week! Remember when I shared my library's display from a couple years back? Well here's where a lot of the ideas came from. In honor of the banned and challenged books, I thought I'd share many of the displays and posters that I find to be most inspiring or intriguing.

It's not about forcing books on people or celebrating negativity, but merely reminding patrons that they have the freedom to read what they want. So please don't take that right away from others.

I love this quote from Roberta Stevens (image from Ebook Friendly) because it really sums up that sentiment in one easy sentence. I would make this into a big poster and hang it front and center.

Here are some more display ideas!

These banners were made by Nikki at Florescent Beige for her library. Talk about a huge impact! If that doesn't get patrons asking questions, then I don't know what would.

Carrying on the "burned" theme, this is a pretty straightforward and easy display some teens made that makes its point. It really amps up the idea behind "censorship." This was highlighted by YALSA, who also highlighted this display from Des Moines Public Library:

With the reasons why the book was challenged or banned on the cover. Genius. If you want to carry that idea further, check out these covers I found on Pinterest:

Or if you want to keep people guessing, I like the touch of humor that this simple display had:

You know what series was often challenged? Harry Potter. Might as well put that to good use!

This display was at the Ballard Branch Library. The silhouettes are super impressive, huh? And check out how Laman Library's Teen Center made their's...

The ever classic and totally awesome mug shot display is great to get patrons involved (from Oak Park Public Library)

Here's a display from the University of Otago that may get patron's curiosity piqued. They've got everything from the first English Bible to erotica (isn't that quite the range).

If you need a good passive program, Molly from Wrapped Up in Books, shredded up some copies of books for teens to guess the title.

And to cap it all off, my all time favorite banned book display:

Twin Hickory Public Library totally takes the cake. It's funny, yet still poignant and definitely draws attention. Genius, my friends.

What sort of display catches your eye when it comes to banned books?