Banned Books Week 2023
Mid-Continent Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
In 2023, Mid-Continent Public Library developed and launched a brand-new Banned Books Week campaign that took a unique approach to raising public awareness of the history and effects of censorship, and the results of the campaign were astounding levels of customer interest and engagement.
Each of the Library’s branches was assigned a single book that had been banned or challenged throughout history. Displays were created at each location with multiple copies of the book, drawing immense interest from customers who were unused to seeing towers of the same book cover. Along with copies of the book were Banned Books Week materials created by the Library’s marketing department that read “Banned But Why?” and included information about the particular title’s history.
Library staff were strategic in selecting classic titles that many would be surprised to see, illustrating how the constant evolution of societal values makes censorship an exercise in futility.
Challenge/Opportunity
The challenge to spark conversation around censorship was actually put to staff by MCPL Director Aaron B. Mason, who asked librarians to think differently about Banned Books Week and find a way to break through the contentious dialogue we see today about censorship in classrooms and libraries across the country. He felt strongly that while conversations around the freedom to read modern titles are deeply important, it’s equally important to find ways to connect with people that resonate and don’t immediately trigger anger or refusal to discuss.
Staff ultimately landed on the “Banned But Why?” campaign that sparked many conversations. Logistical challenges for this campaign included gathering enough copies of titles, which staff worked diligently to stock each of the 30+ branches. Branch staff were briefed in advance and ready to have customer conversations.
Key Elements of Innovation
The most important element of the 2023 Banned Books Week Campaign were the books themselves. Focusing on a single title at each location was the key to capturing customer interest and avoiding the “tune out” that many individuals engage in when faced with an overwhelming amount of visual stimulus.
Additionally, the Banned Books Week marketing materials needed to be visually interesting and contain informative, thought-provoking text that customers would take the time to read. Communications staff carefully crafted these pieces with that in mind, and they were key to the success of the campaign.
Achieved Outcomes
In terms of measurable outcomes, the 2023 Banned Books Week resulted in a significant amount of engagement on MCPL’s social media. On Facebook alone, there were approximately 355,000 impressions on Banned Books Week posts, which reached 331,000 people over the course of the week. There were an astounding 17,000 post interactions, including 6,547 comments and 1,659 shares. Naturally, there were some negative comments as well as positive, but both helped fuel a robust conversation about the topic, which was part of our goal.
