A two-minute video produced by Bookmans, an Arizona bookstore, is helping launch a national read-out from banned and challenged books that is being held on YouTube in conjunction with Banned Books Week, the national celebration of the freedom to read (Sept. 30-Oct. 6).
The video presents Bookmans' customers and staff urging people "to turn on the light" by celebrating freedom of expression. With light bulbs burning brightly above their heads, each of them reads a single line from a banned or challenged book that testifies to the importance of reading, books and freedom of speech.
"It is a wonderfully creative and inspiring video," said American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression President Chris Finan. "We hope all supporters of Banned Books Week will use social media to share it with their friends and the rest of the world, giving a big boost to this year's read-out.
More than 800 people posted videos on YouTube during Banned Books Week last year. More information about the read-out, including updated criteria and submission information, is available here.
Bookmans, which has stores in Tucson, Phoenix, Mesa and Flagstaff, has been actively opposing censorship for 36 years. It celebrates free speech throughout the month of September. Harrison Kressler, Bookmans' media producer, created the video. Rebecca Ballenger, the digital media supervisor, suggested participating in the read-out after reviewing videos from last year's Banned Books Week.
"It is a wonderfully creative and inspiring video," said American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression President Chris Finan. "We hope all supporters of Banned Books Week will use social media to share it with their friends and the rest of the world, giving a big boost to this year's read-out.
More than 800 people posted videos on YouTube during Banned Books Week last year. More information about the read-out, including updated criteria and submission information, is available here.
Bookmans, which has stores in Tucson, Phoenix, Mesa and Flagstaff, has been actively opposing censorship for 36 years. It celebrates free speech throughout the month of September. Harrison Kressler, Bookmans' media producer, created the video. Rebecca Ballenger, the digital media supervisor, suggested participating in the read-out after reviewing videos from last year's Banned Books Week.
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