On Saturday, September 11, ALA staged a reading from the Quran, in response to the high-profile threat to burn the book by a Florida pastor. The event demonstrated the library community’s commitment to intellectual freedom and belief that spreading knowledge and information is the best counterpoint to efforts to destroy or restrict access to it.

In 10 days, Banned Books Week starts. ALA will kick off this annual celebration of the freedom to read with a Read-Out! of the most frequently banned and challenged books of 2009. We hope those in Chicago will join us Saturday, Sept. 25 from noon-2:00 in historic Bughouse Square (901 N. Clark). Others around the country should check our website for events in your area.

Below, we are pleased to share the video and media coverage of the Quran reading:

ALA press release

Associated Press: Library Group Holds Reading Of Quran In Chicago

Chicago Tribune: Library group hosts Quran reading

WGN: Local Groups Battle Anti-Islam Sentiment