What is Banned Books Week?
Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a suddent surge in the number of challenges in libraries, bookstores, and schools. By focusing on efforts to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
The theme for Banned Books Week 2024 (September 22-28) is “Freed Between the Lines.”
We can find freedom in the pages of a book – but book bans and censorship threaten that freedom, along with many other rights and institutions. During the Banned Books Week, let's share our love of right to read and the freedom found in books. Let's be Freed Between the Lines!
https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned
The freedom to read is an American value that must be protected. Book bans and challenges in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2023 and continue to happen at an alarming rate. It's more important than ever to show support for local libraries and the freedom to read.
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, libraries, bookstores, readers, and other partners nationwide are hosting rallies and community events to unite against book bans and demonstrate our shared commitment to this fundamental freedom. The UCC Library will be closed at this time, but below you can find some ways you can take action.
1. Check out the Unite Against Book Bans Action Toolkit
The Toolkit includes talking points, ways to contact decision makers and media, social media tools, printable branded materials, ideas for grassroots organizing, and more.
2. Register to vote! (The registration deadline for the 11/5/24 General Election is tomorrow, 10/15/24)
Check your registration status and find out what's on the ballot wherever you're voting. Please note that voter registration deadlines vary between states.
3. Report censorship
The American Library Association maintains a database of attempted challenges and bans. If a book challenge takes place in your district, ALA may be able to provide support and more customized resources to oppose the attempted challenge or ban. Most censorship goes unreported. You can help us track trends, identify targeted titles, and develop support materials by submitting a censorship report. All reports are kept strictly confidential.
4. Check out (and read!) a banned book
Libraries keep a lot of statistics, among them how frequently books are used in or checked out from the library. These circulation statistics prove that people want to read challenged or banned titles and support keeping those in or adding similar titles to the collection. Browse ALA's list of Frequently Challenged Books, find one that interests you, and check it out from your library! If they don't have it, request it via interlibrary loan (ILL) and ask that your library purchase a copy. And if the book is already checked out, request to put it on hold so you can check it out when it returns.
All information shared via Unite Against Book Bans.
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