On Tuesday, Oct. 6, members of the CMU community were challenged to test their knowledge of banned books during the Libraries’ “Banned Books Bingo,” hosted at the Posner Center for Special Collections. The event was held in celebration of Banned Books Week, which highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.
Many attendees were members of current or past iterations of a Dietrich College class focused on banned books, taught by Associate Professor of English Kathy M. Newman and Lecturer Robyn Rowley, while others represented other disciplines across campus. Undergraduate Experience and Student Success Librarian Frankie Checchio led the event in the role of the bingo caller, announcing the names of banned books along with a short description of their content for the game. Special Collections Coordinator Catherine Blauvelt had some of Special Collections’ copies of banned books on display at the event.
At the end of the evening, Checchio announced the winners of over 20 prizes, including posters featuring books from Special Collections, a banned-books themed jigsaw puzzle, plush Scotty dogs, Posner Center branded tote bags, and gift cards for De Fer Coffee & Tea. Snacks and a button-making station rounded out the event, offering additional opportunities for creativity and connection.
More than 40 attendees gathered in the Posner Center for Special Collections for a round of bingo featuring books that have been banned, challenged, censored, or expurgated throughout history.Undergraduate Experience and Student Success Librarian Frankie Checchio played the role of the bingo caller.
Bingo cards, which were distributed to attendees upon arrival, featured books like “Principia Philosophiae” by René Descartes, “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, and many more.Students kept track of their cards, winning extra tickets for the prize raffle when they called bingo.
Among the banned books from Special Collections feature were “Beloved” by Toni Morrison, “Nineteen Eighty-Four” by George Orwell, and “The Descent of Man” by Charles Darwin.Attendees enjoyed snacks and drinks while they played.
One visitor examines the banned books on display with Special Collections Coordinator Catherine Blauvelt.After the rounds of bingo were finished, participants used their raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes.
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain.Checchio, College of Engineering first-year and Student Events Assistant Gianna Zhang, and Outreach and Engagement Manager Erin Swift get ready to pull the winning raffle tickets.
Checchio awards a winner with a poster of Herman Melville’s “The Whale” (an early printing of “Moby Dick”).Another prize was a tote bag featuring the logo for CMU Special Collections.
