By NICOLE MARTIN
Niles District Library

During the last week of September, libraries across the country will observe Banned Book Week.  The annual event celebrates the value of free and open access to information.  By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

In honor of Banned Book Week, here are some of my favorite banned books: Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” Lowis Lowry’s “The Give,” Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and Chuck Palahniuk’s “Fight Club.”

Youth activities

In celebration of Banned Book Week “Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover” will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Teens can join the event for Banned Book Dating and crafts. Displays throughout the library will feature books which have been challenged or censored in the past.

Programs return in September

• Chess Club: At 10 a.m. Saturday, chess players of all skill levels can drop by to play and learn.

• Legos at the Library: Children ages 9 to 14 meet on the second Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required at the Youth Services desk or call (269) 683-8545 ext. 106.

• Jr. Garden Club: At 1 p.m. Saturday, learn about Monarch butterflies. Registration is required to join Jr. Garden Club.   After the September meeting, the club will meet on the second Saturday of each month.

• Junie B. Jones party: The event is from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the community room for children ages 6 and older. Registration required.

Adult activites

• Kindlegarten: This is the second of a two-part series that takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the boardroom. Participants will be introduced to Android devices.

Registration is required. Call (269) 683-8545 ext. 116.

• Members of the Michiana Paranormal Society will show guests that they “ain’t ‘fraid of no ghosts” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22. The Michiana Paranormal Society will give a lecture on its research of paranormal activities, their theories and a demonstration of equipment. Subsequently, adult guests, who sign waivers, will be able to join the members of MPS as a ghost hunt is conducted in the basement of the library.