Free to Read: Free to Be the Dream to be held on Oct. 11

Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

Why Las Vegas Must Stand for the Freedom to Read

Special by EMA Staff

Clark County Library Main Theatre will transform into a stage where the power of the written word meets the urgency of civic freedom. The curtains will rise on Free to Read: Free to Be the Dream, a free community event created by The Asylum Theatre’s artistic director, Sarah O’Connell, co-sponsored by the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and The Asylum Theatre. This is more than an afternoon of live readings; it’s a celebration of the First Amendment, a rally against censorship, and a call for the Las Vegas community to reflect on what it means to have the freedom to read—and to dream. Plan to attend, at no cost, at the Clark County Library Main Theatre beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Why This Event Matters Now

Banned Books Week, established in 1982, aims to highlight the growing pressures on intellectual freedom and censorship in the United States. Four decades later, its mission has never been more urgent. Across the country, books are being challenged, restricted, or outright removed from schools and libraries. These works are not random; they include stories by and about women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and voices that challenge authority. The pattern is clear—when books disappear, so too do the voices of those most often marginalized.

In Las Vegas, this conversation has taken on sharper edges. Earlier this year, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District announced the discontinuation of its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) program, citing federal executive orders that curtailed such initiatives. While library leadership has pledged to maintain a respectful and welcoming environment, many in the community worry that this is only the beginning of a slippery slope. If we lose programs that support diversity, what comes next? Which books, ideas, or histories might be the next to vanish?

That is why Free to Read: Free to Be the Dream feels urgent and necessary. It is not just a performance—it is a reminder of what’s at stake.

The Power of Anne Frank’s Words

Among the featured readings will be passages from The Diary of Anne Frank, perhaps one of the most banned, challenged, yet profoundly essential books in history. Anne Frank was just 13 years old when she began her diary while hiding with her family from Nazi persecution in Amsterdam. Her words, filled with wit, longing, fear, and hope, have become one of the most powerful testaments to human resilience.

Anne’s voice has been repeatedly challenged across schools in the United States, often for passages deemed “too mature” or for its frank exploration of her developing sense of self. Furthermore, in 2022, parts of the diary were temporarily banned in certain districts, underscoring how even the most important historical works can be subject to censorship. Her reflections transcend time, urging us to resist erasure, value truth, and safeguard the voices of the vulnerable.

Harry Potter: Magic, Imagination, and Controversy

The program will feature selections from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the book that sparked one of the most successful and beloved fantasy series in history. Since its publication in 1997, J.K. Rowling’s story of a boy who discovers he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has ignited the imaginations of millions. For many, the Harry Potter series was the book that sparked their love of reading.

Although the series has faced decades of challenges and bans, some schools and libraries deemed it dangerous for its depictions of witchcraft. Others criticized its themes of rebellion against unjust authority. In recent years, debates around the author’s public statements on gender identity have reignited calls for boycotts, creating a complex cultural conversation about separating art from the artist.

The choice to include Harry Potter in this year’s program is not accidental. It raises critical questions: Who gets to decide which books are appropriate for the public? Can a story that has inspired millions of children be silenced because it unsettles some? What happens when we begin to restrict access to books that shape our culture and inspire generations of readers?

A Celebration of Voice and Performance

This year’s program will feature professional actors and readers from Las Vegas’s own community, who will bring these texts to life through dramatic performance.

More than a simple recitation, these staged readings highlight the rhythm, the breath, and the emotional weight of each word. They become notable experiences, resonating with readers and the audience. The magic of live performance reminds us that literature is not static; it breathes, it moves, and it connects us.

Beyond the Stage

This program is about more than books. It’s about protecting the very fabric of democracy. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and expression, yet these freedoms are constantly tested whenever a book is pulled from a shelf.

In a city known worldwide for its entertainment, creativity, and diversity, Las Vegas has a unique opportunity to stand as a beacon for intellectual freedom. Supporting events like Free to Read: Free to Be the Dream is one way the community can make its voice heard. It signals that Las Vegans value open dialogue, respect multiple perspectives, and will not accept censorship as the norm.

As Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Library District, recently stated, “The Library District’s commitment to fostering a positive, respectful, and welcoming environment for our valued staff and customers remains unchanged.” That commitment is strengthened when the community shows up—when people fill the seats, applaud the readings, and carry the conversations into their own homes, classrooms, and workplaces.

A Call to Action

Everyone who lives in Southern Nevada (and even if you don't), plan to take a stand and fill the Clark County Library Main Theatre with the energy of a city that refuses to let its stories, or its freedoms, be silenced.

Because when we lose access to books, we lose access to ideas. When we lose access to ideas, we lose the ability to dream. The courage to read freely is the courage to dream.

Event Details and more information

Free to Read: Free to Be the Dream

Saturday, October 11, starting at 2 p.m. for ages 18 and over

Clark County Library

Main Theatre, 1401 E. Flamingo Road

Free Admission | First-Come, First-Served Seating.

For more information, visit www.thelibrarydistrict.org 

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Tel: 702.507.3459