Have seen something in the news lately regarding banned books or challenges happening at public libraries and schools. Do you know what all of this news has been about?
Have you ever read a banned or challenged book? Do you think you have watched a movie or TV show that has been based on a challenged or banned book?
Chances are, you have. Some of our most popular and enduring books have been challenged or banned for a number of reasons. Books like To Kill A Mockingbird, Where the Wild Things Are, Handmaid’s Tale, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Harry Potter Series, Captain Underpants, 13 Reasons Why, Blubber, and Goosebumps have all been banned or challenged books.
In 2024 the Office for Intellectual Freedom, part of the American Library Association, tracked 821 attempts to challenge library books and resources. Of these challenges, 2,452unique titles were challenged for removal from libraries and schools (OIF, 2024). Last year ALA tracked 1,247 attempts with 4,240 unique titles challenged. Of these titles, a vast majority are written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color. Many of the titles targeted for censorship in 2024 represent the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals (OIF, 2024). Challenges may not be just about book titles, but may also include displays and exhibits, films, programs, and other resources provided to the community and patrons. 72% of the challenges that were placed in 2024 were by Pressure Groups and Government Entities - including elected officials, board members, and administrators. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books. You can learn more about the challenges tracked by the Office of Intellectual Freedom through the American Library Association website on Banned Books.
Our First Amendment grants us all the right to freedom of speech, which includes our freedom to choose what we want to read and access to information. There are individuals and groups who challenge this right, who request that books and information be removed from school reading lists, from libraries, or even from stores. Some of their reasons are that the book has too much cursing/foul language, or includes race, political, historical, or religious viewpoints that they don’t agree with, sexuality, anti-family themes, or suicide. Much of the time the requests revolve around children and young adults, stating that they the content is not appropriate for the age group or their community.
Banned Books Week celebrates YOUR right to read whatever you choose. Libraries and booksellers across the nation take this week to celebrate YOUR access to books and information without censorship.
Stop by the Library during the week of October 5-11th to check out our displays and see which banned books you have read, or take part in our many activities this week celebrating banned and challenged books and graphic novels.
Take a moment and ask a Librarian about a challenged book, see how you can support your local libraries, or to find out more about the process and what happens when a challenge is lodged against a book. "Read for Your Rights" – and help keep access to information accessible for all.
~Carrie Fishner
Director, Resnick Library