Credit: Photo via On The Run Photo/Wirestock Creators/Adobe

Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week is a week-long effort across the country to celebrate the importance of accessible information and “the freedom to seek and to express ideas,” according to its website.

Tampa Heights mainstay Shuffle brings this national campaign right here to Tampa Bay, with a week-long book drive for the NAACP Freedom Library, a variety of programs and conversations about the harms of censorship, select readings from the American Library Association’s “most challenged” book list, drag queen story time, educational talks, and food and drink specials.

“Join us and be part of a celebration of freedom of expression and the power of literature; discover banned books that have challenged norms and stirred controversy throughout history,” Shuffle writes. “We are also hosting a meaningful fundraiser for the international organization PEN during this event that will support local literacy initiatives and organizations advocating for free speech.”

There’s no cover for any of Shuffle’s Banned Books events running from Oct. 1-7, although it’s accepting monetary and book donations all week-long. Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.