Big Brother is watching you — and the Chapel Hill Public Library wants you to read about it.
This week the library is celebrating Banned Books Week. Library staff will hand out seven different limited edition trading cards, featuring local artist works inspired by banned or challenged books.
“It is important to campaign to raise awareness of challenges to intellectual freedom,” said Susan Brown, the library director.
Brown said she brought the campaign to Chapel Hill from her previous job in Lawrence, Kan. She said she was impressed by the support she received from area artists and library staff.
More than 50 people came to the library’s Sneak Peak Party to see the trading card submissions Friday. The seven winning trading card designs were unveiled. The designs represent “Brave New World,” “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “The Chocolate War,” “The Bluest Eye,” “1984,” “A Clockwork Orange” and “Charlotte’s Web.”
Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, who attended the Friday event, said the titles chosen challenge readers in different ways.
“Banned Books Week is an excellent way to highlight our commitment to the First Amendment,” he said.
And banned books up for discussion don’t stop at the seven trading card designs.
Last week, the Randolph County School Board voted to ban the book “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison.
