The library is proud to introduce our newest initiative: the Bellwood Banned Books Club! Join us once a month to read and discuss a book that's been challenged across the country.
The Bellwood Public Library’s Bellwood Banned Book Club Program (the BBB) core objective is to promulgate the “Anti- Book Banning” Illinois State Law (HB2789) effective January 1, 2024 and 5.5.1. Policy Statement for the Bellwood Public Library against banning books or other materials adopted by the Bellwood Board of Library Trustees June 13, 2023. The BBB Program will read and discuss one of the current nationally challenged books monthly in a group forum that is safe, respectful, and open to all Bellwood Public Library Patrons 14 years of age and older. Open Forum Discussion will be held monthly, Third Wednesday (7- 9 PM), in the Bellwood Library’s Meeting Room, with Special Invited Guest(s).
April's Meeting
WHERE: Bellwood Public Library’s Meeting Room
Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave, Bellwood, IL 60104
WHEN: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 7:00PM
BOOK: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai | The library has copies of said book available now for check out. Kindly inquiry with staff.
March's Meeting
WHERE: Bellwood Public Library’s Meeting Room
Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave, Bellwood, IL 60104
WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 7:00PM
BOOK: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | The library has copies of said book available now for check out. Kindly inquiry with staff.
February's Meeting
WHERE: Bellwood Public Library’s Meeting Room
Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave, Bellwood, IL 60104
WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM
All Open Forum Discussion will take place on the Third Wednesday of the Month (7- 9 PM)
BOOK: Stamped by Ibram X. Kendi & Jason Reynolds | The library has copies of said book available now for check out. Kindly inquiry with staff.
January's Meeting
WHERE: Bellwood Public Library’s Meeting Room
Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Ave, Bellwood, IL 60104
WHEN: Wednesday, January 17, 2023, at 7:00 PM
All Open Forum Discussion will take place on the Third Wednesday of the Month (7- 9 PM)
BOOK: All Boys Aren't Blue Author: George M. Johnson | The library has copies of said book available now for check out. Kindly inquiry with staff.
Number of challenges: 86
Challenged for: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit. A young adult non-fiction "memoir-manifesto" by journalist and activist George M. Johnson, published April 28, 2020, by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The book consists of a series of essays following Johnson's journey growing up as a queer Black man in Plainfield, New Jersey, and Virginia. In addition to describing Johnson's own experience, it directly addresses Black queer boys who may not have someone in their life with similar experiences.