Cal State San Bernardino is joining the 22 other campuses in the California State University system opposing the banning of books by observing “Banned Books Week,” Oct. 1-7, and sponsoring book giveaways at the San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses.

As part of the week, two “Banned Book Buffets,” featuring free book giveaways, will take place: Monday, Oct. 2, at the John M. Pfau Library first floor, and Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Palm Desert Campus Library.

During both events, which will begin at noon, the following books that have landed on banned book lists will be given away: New Kid, a Newbery Award winning graphic novel by Jerry Craft; They Called Us Enemy by George Takei; Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison; The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman; and A Court of Thornes & Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Also, Rebecca Lubas, dean of the CSUSB Libraries, has created a three-part podcast series, “Banned Book Brigade!” The first episode focuses on representation and race, the second focuses on LGBTQIA+ representation, and the third discusses books banned for creating new worlds, such as magic and fantasy novels.

All three podcast episodes, along with related resources about the banning of books and how to combat such efforts, can be found on the “Banned Book Brigade!” webpage.

“The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted in 2021,” Lubas said. “Many of the targeted books were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color. This Banned Books Week the CSUSB Libraries will celebrate these challenged stories by opening conversations with the Banned Books Brigade Podcast and with a Banned Books giveaways at Pfau and at PDC.”

Also see an article collectively written by the California State University Library Deans, “The Freedom to Read is Essential to the Mission of the California State University.”