WHAT: After several consecutive years of unprecedented book challenges, it is more important than ever to celebrate Banned Books Week [3]. From October 1–October 7, 2023, show ABA how your store is promoting banned books in your community for a chance to win a scholarship to Children’s Institute 2024! Submissions are due by midnight (ET) the end of the last day of Banned Books Week, October 7.

WHO: ABA Member Bookstores with Instagram accounts can create spectacular and eye-popping displays for customers to enjoy during Banned Books Week. Judging of all eligible entries will be conducted by a panel of bipartisan judges.

WHEN: The contest runs from October 1 through October 7. On or about October 17, 2023, judges will award One (1) Grand Prize, consisting of one (1) scholarship to Children’s Institute 2024; and two (2) Honorable Mention Prizes, consisting of one T-shirt in a size, color, and design of your choosing (as available)

HOW: Bookstore Instagram accounts have until October 7, 2023, to share one post (photo/photo carousel), tag @AmericanBooksellers, and use #BannedBooksDisplayContest and #BannedBooksWeek in the caption to be entered to win.

Your display should:

• Feature books that have been banned. Consider using PEN America’s most banned books of the 2022–2023 school year list [4], ALA’s Most Challenged Books of 2022 list [5], or PEN America’s Index of Banned Books 2022 [6] to find recent bans.
• Clearly mark the display with “Banned Books Week” or “Banned Books”
• Use text or other visuals to draw your customers’ attention and make a statement

Here are some additional ideas:

• Lean into the “I Read Dangerously,” “Let Freedom Read,” or “fREADom” motifs.
• Use ABA’s Banned Books Week kit if you ordered one.*
• Place your display somewhere visible and eye-catching.
• Curate your list for your community. Use PEN America’s Index of Banned Books 2022 [6] or other local resources to target local bans.
• Make your list representational. Book bans disproportionately target books by and about LGBTQIA2S+ people and people of color.
• Tie sales to activism. Use your display to distribute information about censorship in your community or around the country, or draw attention to grassroots organizing against censorship.

Judging criteria:

• Visual presentation
• Creativity and originality
• Banned Books Week messaging

Bonus points for: Stacks [7] the [8] Bookstore [9] Cat [10], humor, use of color(s), education and advocacy regarding banned books

All prizes are courtesy of the American Booksellers Association.

See Official Rules for more information. [11]

*All Banned Books Week kits have been distributed for the year. No preference will be given to members using ABA materials.