Applications are now open for the 2011 Judith Krug Fund Banned Books Week event grants, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation.  Four grants in the amount of $2,500 and $1,000 grants will be given to organizations in support of “Read-Outs” or other activities that celebrate Banned Books Week (Sept. 24 – Oct. 1, 2011).

Applications for the grants will be accepted through May 13, 2011, and the announcements will be made the week of Aug. 1, 2011.  Banned Books Week 2011 will be held Sept. 24-Oct. 1, 2011.

The first round of winners (2010) outdid themselves with a diverse and energizing set of events that garnered press attention and community involvement.  The 2010 grand prize winner, Iowa City Public Library, supported a “Rolling Read-Out” during the University of Iowa’s homecoming parade.  And the Dayton (Ohio) Metro Library provided “Book Club in a Box” kits to local school libraries to study Lois Lowry’s The Giver, a frequently challenged book.  A video of the various events can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K07Zk2Mmjqo.

Organizations are required to submit an event description, timeline and budget with their application, as well as agree to provide a written report and video to FTRF following Banned Books Week.  For more information on Banned Books Week, visit www.ala.org/bbooks.  A compendium of thousands of books that have been banned and challenged can be found in the 2010 Banned Books Resource Guide, available through the ALA Store:  www.alastore.ala.org.  You can also purchase Banned Books Week posters, buttons, bookmarks, t-shirts, bracelets, and tote bags there.

Contact Nanette Perez at nperez@ala.org or Barbara Jones at bjones@ala.org with questions, or call (800) 545-2433 (800) 545-2433, ext. 4220.

Judith F. Krug, FTRF’s first executive director, was passionate about Banned Books Week and defending the freedom to read.  After her death, the Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund was established to guarantee that the message of Banned Books Week would continue to spread and grow around the United States.  In September 2011, ALA will observe its 29th celebration of the freedom to read–thanks to her dedication to this important public awareness program.  After her death the fund was established to guarantee that Banned Books Week would continue to spread around the United States.