Banned Books Week: Lawrence Public Library Creates Artistic Trading Cards (IMAGES)

For Banned Books Week 2012, the Lawrence Public Library in Kansas has created a special series of trading cards of banned books, illustrated by local artists. Each card would be handed out at the library on one of the days of Banned Books Week 2012, which ends tomorrow.

And the results are simply stunning. Susan Brown, marketing director at the library, says that this was "an idea that's been cooking in my head for a few years. Thanks to the Freedom to Read Foundation and their Judith F. Krug Memorial Grant, we got to do it!

"Two areas often under the eye of censors are visual arts and literature. We thought that this project would be a great way to bring the two together."

When asked via email if books had been challenged at the Lawrence Library, she replied that "we don't get many challenges to books here - I've been here three years or so and can't remember one. But there have been plenty of challenges to books around Kansas and Missouri."

Due to popular demand, the cards are now on sale for $7 plus postage on the library's website.

Click below to see the cards - including an exclusive reveal of tomorrow's final image!