There are many ways that you can get involved in helping to fight against censorship and in protecting everyone's right to the freedom of information. Below are a few links and ideas that come from the American Library Association's Banned Books webpage:
- Stay informed. If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials by contacting the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). OIF estimates it learns of only 3-18% of book challenges. Find out your library's policy for reviewing challenged materials. Stay updated about intellectual freedom by signing up for the free Intellectual Freedom News newsletter, or reading the Journal for Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.
- Join Unite Against Book Bans. This non-profit is a national initiative to bring together individuals and organizations to connect, equip and mobilize in their communities for the right to read and to defeat attempts at every level of government to censor reading material.
- Stream a Banned Books Week webinar. Designed for libraries and schools to stream as programs during Banned Books Week celebrations, these webinars are a way for library users to explore censorship history and trends in a place that advocates for their freedom to read every day: their own library.
- Attend a Banned Books Week program. Libraries, schools, bookstores and literary communities are celebrating the freedom to read across the world. See a schedule of events on the Banned Books Week calendar.
- Write a letter to the editor. Edit and adapt this “Read a Banned Book” opinion column for your local newspaper. Include local Banned Books Week programs so your community can support their right to read.
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Help spread the word. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to declare your right to read.
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Speak out. Announce the importance of unrestricted reading on your local public radio station with a PSA script. Write letters to the editor, your public library director and your school principal supporting the freedom to read. Talk to your friends about why everyone should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families what they read.
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Exercise your reading rights. Check out a banned book. Encourage your book club to discuss rebellious reads.
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Join the Freedom to Read Foundation. It's dedicated to the legal and financial defense of intellectual freedom, especially in libraries.
