Des Moines library to launch "banned books" library card

A limited-edition "I read banned books" library card will be made available for new cardholders of the Des Moines Public Library starting Sept. 18.

• It's in celebration of Banned Books Week.
• The cards will be offered while the supply of a few thousand lasts.

State of Play: It follows months of national debate about censorship, including at multiple school districts in the DSM metro.

• A parent's effort to remove "Gender Queer" from WDM's Valley Freshman High School is ongoing.

What's happening: Book ban opponents are encouraged to advocate and publicly show support against censorship, Tim Paluch, a spokesperson for the DSM library tells Axios.

• Shirts with the banned book card design can be ordered through RayGun.

Of note: The library has also partnered with the Des Moines Public Schools for a book club series known as "Community Reads."

• Residents are invited to read some of the books in the school’s curriculum and discuss them with educators and library staff.