September 12, 2000 Freedom to Read to Be Celebrated at the Library of Congress on Monday, September 25

"Banned Books Week -- Celebrating the Freedom to Read," the annual observance that reminds Americans not to take the freedom to read for granted, will be marked at the Library of Congress at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, in Madison Hall, first floor of the James Madison Memorial Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. Hosted by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the brief program is free and open to the public.

The program will feature remarks by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington; Patricia Schroeder, president of the Association of American Publishers; Nancy Kranich, president of the American Library Association; and Chris Finan of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. In addition, it will include several young people who have had firsthand experience with efforts to limit their freedom.

This year's theme is "Fish in the River of Knowledge." Across the nation, many bookstores, schools, and libraries will offer special displays and events featuring this theme and readings of banned or challenged books. For more information about this observance, which runs from Sept. 23 to 30, see the American Library Association Web site at www.ala.org/bbooks External.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress was established in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading, and libraries. For information about its program, publications, and the activities of its affiliated centers in 40 states and the District of Columbia, visit its Web site at www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook.