The Library Foundation SD is shining a light on book censorship from October 5 to 11, with the inaugural Banned Books Trivia Contest happening from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 9 at Ballast Point Little Italy.
Could you answer a question like: What year was Banned Books Week founded in the United States? (The answer is at the bottom of this story. Yes, this is an actual question that will be used in the trivia contest.)
The event will be emceed by San Diego Librarian Cassie Coffey. She and fellow librarian Dustin Salogel have written and researched all the questions specifically for this contest.
“We’ll have questions about authors and titles of banned books, as well as some history and politics,” said Coffey, who works at downtown San Diego’s East Village central library.
You can compete as an individual or as a team. Prizes will be awarded to the top three place winners (with gift cards at the Library Shop and other schwag at stake).
Attendees can also sign up for a library card on the spot at Ballast Point (have valid ID).
Note: Since the brewery is also a restaurant, all ages are welcome to participate in the contest. For those of drinking age, it’s Thirsty Thursday at Ballast Point, so all pints are $2 off.
A Banned Books Week Trivia Contest is a fun entry point to a serious subject. According to information compiled by the Library Foundation SD:
- In 2023, there were roughly 9,000 book ban challenges in the United States.
- In 2024, California public schools and libraries faced 81 challenged titles with 26 attempts to restrict access to those books.
- The California Freedom To Read Act passed in 2024. It prohibits book removals based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status or political affiliation.
- San Diego Public Libraries participate in a program called Books Unbanned. It provides digital library cards to teens and young adults from states that enforce book censorship.
- For a full list of the Library Foundation SD’s activities, go to: bannedbooksweek.org
The trivia answer: Banned Books Week was formed two years before the setting of 1984, George Orwell’s dystopian novel about a highly controlled society. The answer is 1982. SDSun
