DES MOINES, Iowa — The Banned Wagon made a stop in Des Moines during Banned Books Week to spread awareness.

“We’re hoping it will start a dialogue for people to learn more about what they can do themselves to make sure that kids get to read what they want to read, and that the books are free for us all,” Skip Dye, Senior Vice President of Library Sales and Digitial Strategy for Penguin Random House said.

The Banned Wagon is a collaboration between Penguin Random House, Unite Against Book Bans (UABB), First Book, and Little Free Library. This is the second tour of the Banned Wagon, which will make nine stops across the Midwest and the South.

Dye said they wanted to start in Des Moines, Iowa because it’s known for being a state with wonderful libraires and strong book culture.

“Iowa is unique in the fact that Iowa was responsible for creating the Library Bill of Rights back in the 30s, and that tenant has been what many libraries across the country have always looked to, so actually it started here in Iowa.”

People were encouraged to stop by the wagon to talk to parents, educators, librarians, and booksellers to engage in conversation about the impact book bans have on the future. People were also asked to stop by and pick up a banned book for free.

“We’re hoping to bring awareness to the fact that these are books we’ve read all our lives. I read Tom Sawyer, I read the Outsiders growing up so many people did too,” said Dye. “They impacted and changed my world, and books do that, they can change the world a book at a time.”

To learn more about booking banning and the Banned Wagon’s mission visit their website.