Time for readers to banned together

Ken Kesey is one of Oregon’s most beloved sons. Though the movies based on his novels were filmed many decades ago, they are to this day honored with placards along the Oregon Film Trail, like the sign for scenes from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,” filmed in Depoe Bay. The book influenced the decor in the “Ken Kesey Room,” at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport and was included in Time Magazine’s “100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005” list.

It is also on many top 10 lists for the most banned books of all time.

To help celebrate Banned Books Week, taking place this year from Sept. 18 to 24, Newport Public Library is holding an art show and design contest running throughout September.

To participate in the Banned Books Tiny Art Show + Library Card Design Contest, pick up a 2”x4” canvas and a registration form from the library. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 30. Those who wish to enter the Library Card Design Contest can also pick up a card design template at that time, with included instructions.

The Tiny Art Show is not competitive, but those interested in entering the library card design contest must complete both a tiny canvas and a design template. The theme is “Banned Books.”

The contest is open to Lincoln County residents of all ages. Artwork can be created using colored pencil, watercolor, pen, paint or computer-generated graphics.

The tiny art canvases will be exhibited from Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Friday, Oct. 28.

Public voting will take place during the exhibition dates, with the winner of the library card contest announced on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

The top three design winners will receive Banned Books Week swag, and the top submission will have their design made into a Newport Public Library card available to the public in April, 2023.

Newport Public Library is located at 35 NW Nye Street. For more information, go to newportlibrary.org or call 541-265-2153.