The Los Altos Library has scheduled displays, activities and programs Sept. 23-30 to commemorate Banned Books Week.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), more than a book a day faces expulsion from U.S. schools and libraries every year. More than 8,700 challenges have been recorded since the ALA started keeping electronic records in 1990.

Challenges are defined as formal, written complaints filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness.

Scheduled events include:

• 2 p.m. Saturday - The film “To Kill a Mockingbird,” based on a novel that is often challenged because of its language and racial themes (as recently as 1995 in the Santa Cruz schools), will be screened.

After the film, library staff will lead a discussion on the film and book.

• 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 - Poet, composer, musician and published author Avotcja, from the PEN Center’s Freedom to Write project, will read from her works and other censored poetry. Avotcja is founder and co-director of “The Clean Scene Theater Project/Proyecto Teatral de la Escena Sobria.” She teaches poetry, creative writing, music and drama in public schools and the penal system.

• 2 p.m. Sept. 30 - The film “Of Mice and Men” will be screened. John Steinbeck’s novel is often challenged because of its language and the assertion that it does not reflect traditional values. Discussion of the film, book and censorship will follow.

During Banned Books Week there will be a trivia contest in the library for adults and teens who can correctly guess which books were banned for what reasons. All correct entries will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate from Amazon.com.

The adult and children’s reference desks will have displays featuring books that have been frequently banned or challenged. Books throughout the library will be marked with special “caution” markers to let patrons know which books have been challenged.

For more information on Banned Books Week, visit www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm.

All programs will be held in the Program Room at the Los Altos main library, 13 S. San Antonio Road.

For more information, call 948-7683.