RENO — On Wednesday, community leaders will come together to say “I Read Banned Books” as they read a dynamic excerpt from their favorite book that has been banned or challenged. The event will start at 6 p.m. at the rotunda of the University of Nevada, Reno Knowledge Center. The event is co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada and the UNR Creative Writing Club. It is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be provided.

The event is being held during Banned Books Week, which is observed every year during the last week of September. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read by drawing attention to the dangers of censorship. I Read Banned Books will explore the importance of artistic freedom as community leaders share a selection from their favorite banned books. Selections will be read by:

• Rev. Neal Anderson, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Foundation of Northern Nevada

• Carina Black, executive director of the Northern Nevada International Center

• Brad Bynum, arts editor for the Reno News & Review

• Chris Coake, professor of creative writing at UNR

• Mario de la Rosa, Ahora Latino Journal

• Alison Gaulden, vice president of Nevada public affairs for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte

• Steve Gehrke, professor of poetry at UNR

• Toni Harris, Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society

• Sheila Leslie, assemblywoman from District 27

• Arnie Maurins, director of the Washoe County Library System

• Lee Rowland, northern coordinator for the ACLU of Nevada

For more information, visit www.aclunv.org/renobannedbooks2010.