NORWAY — From Sept. 23-25, the children’s and teen departments at Norway Memorial Library are celebrating Banned Books Week by featuring well loved classics, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”  trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The American Library Association sponsors Banned Books Week every year to highlight the freedom to read. “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” have been challenged or banned in the United States and other parts of the world since their publication.

In honor of National Hobbit Day, Sept. 22, the library has chosen to highlight these beloved classics. The library will celebrate Hobbit Day on Wednesday because “the unexpected party” happened on a Wednesday, in chapter 1 of “The Hobbit.”

Children and teens are encouraged to visit and enjoy Middle-earth games, crafts, riddle and rhymes. The adventurous can go on a TLOR scavenger hunt. Creative builders can help make hobbit holes and writers can contribute to a story board, “What would you do with a magical ring?”

Wednesday, Sept. 24, the library will celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ birthday by hosting an unexpected party. Join Middle-earth costumed library staff during high tea for cake and hobbit snacks. High tea runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m. All party-goers will receive a name tag and have a chance to create hobbit hole art. Please feel free to wear a costume.

For more information, contact the Norway Memorial Library at 743-5309, ext. 4 or 5, or through email: Cynthia Riley, teen services coordinator, [email protected], or Annika Black, children’s librarian, [email protected].