The NDSU Libraries are joining libraries around the country in recognizing Banned Books Week Sept. 18-24. The event was started in 1982 by Judith Krug and the American Library Association to bring attention to attempts to prevent access to books.

The libraries encourage people to come to the Main Library Monday, Sept. 19, from 2 p.m.-4:30p.m. to take the Banned Books Challenge and sign up for a Fargo Public Library Card, as September also is Library Card Sign-up Month.

In the last few years, challenges to reading material have increased. In 2020, there were 158 challenges, and by 2021 there were 729 challenges reported and 1,597 individual book challenges or removals.

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