DANBURY, CONN. — The works of John Steinbeck, Maya Angelou, Geoffrey Chaucer and J.K. Rowling have something in common — they’ve all been forbidden at one time by libraries and schools across the country.

This week Western Connecticut State University celebrates the right to read during Banned Book week from Monday, Sept. 26, through Thursday, Sept. 29 with events planned throughout the week including. The following events are free and open to the public:

• From 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, Professor of Social Science Dr. Rob Whittemore will present “How to Make a Picture ‘Dirty’: Lock it up in a Bookstore!”

• From 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, students and faculty will read from books that have been banned somewhere, sometime in the United States. The readings will be held in front of the Midtown campus Student Center, 181 White St. in Danbury.

• From 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, campus radio station WXCI will host “%$*&#*!!: Songs You Can’t Play on the Air!” Tune into 91.5FM to hear more about this.

• From 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, in the Warner Hall lobby on the Midtown campus members of the faculty will read from their own works.

• From 8 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, the Midtown Coffeehouse in Alumni Hall on the Midtown campus will hold an Open Mic Coffeehouse.

For more information, contact 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.