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DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will host several events in conjunction with Banned Books week, beginning Monday, Sept. 29. Banned Books Week raises awareness of issues such as First Amendment rights, censorship and the freedom to express ideas that are considered controversial.

WestConn Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Daniel Barrett is coordinating this year’s Banned Books events at the university along with Assistant Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Katherine Allocco and Assistant Professor of English Dr. Don Gagnon.

“The week is exciting because we are celebrating our freedom to read what we want to read and to express ourselves,” Barrett said.

All events are free and open to the public and will be on WestConn’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

Banned Books Week will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, with a faculty book signing and discussion in the lobby of Warner Hall on the Midtown campus. Among the faculty authors featured will be Associate Professor of History and Non-Western Culture Dr. Kevin Gutzman, who will discuss his books “Virginia’s American Revolution” and “Who Killed the Constitution?” Associate Professor of Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process Dr. Brian Clements will speak about his poetry collection, “Disappointed Psalms”; Professor of Nursing Dr. Carol Avery will discuss “Quick Look Nursing: Obstetric and Pediatric Pathophysiology”; Professor of Education and Educational Psychology Dr. Marcy Delcourt, co-editor of “Inquiry in Education: Overcoming Barriers to Successful Implementation,” will speak about her work; and Professor of Education and Educational Psychology Dr. Leah Stambler will share her contribution to “Character and Civics Education as Scaffolds For Teaching About the Holocaust.”

At 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, Andrew Schneider, executive director of the Connecticut American Civil Liberties Union, will discuss “Banned and Beloved: How ‘Huck Finn’ Has Fueled One of the Most Enduring Battles with Censorship” in the lobby of Warner Hall.

There will be a Readathon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, outside the Midtown campus Student Center. The Readathon will feature WestConn students and faculty reading excerpts from banned or challenged books in a public forum. In the event of inclement weather, these events will be held in the Warner Hall lobby.

“It’s a statement saying we can read these books if we want to,” Barrett said. “We are allowed that right according to the Constitution.”

At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. D.L. Stephenson will discuss “Is There Any Such Thing as a Bad Word? Who Says and Who Says Them?” in the lobby of Warner Hall.

“These discussions celebrate the human spirit,” Barrett said. “I think each one will show that spirit shining through against oppositional forces that would suppress free speech and free thought.”

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, there will be a Poetry Slam in Alumni Hall on the Midtown campus. This event is part of an open mic night at the weekly Midtown Coffeehouse, and will be followed by featured artist Chris Kiley. Guests who attend the Poetry Slam are encouraged to stay for the musical performance. Donations to sustain the Coffeehouse will be accepted.

The final Banned Books Week event will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, when the Roger Sherman Debate Society, a WestConn student organization, will discuss the question “Should Professors Be Allowed to Assign Books that Deny the Holocaust?” in the lobby of Warner Hall.

For more information, call Barrett at (203) 837-8869 or the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.