As a member of the American Library Association (ALA), we join libraries across the nation in celebrating the freedom to read during Banned Books Week.
Banned Books Weeks is an annual weeklong event highlighting the importance of free and open access to information. It is an opportunity to come together to support the freedom to seek information, express ideas, and read.
The ALA documented 1,269 attempts to censor library books and resources in 2022, nearly double the number of reported challenges in 2021 and the highest number of attempted book bans since they began compiling censorship data over 20 years ago. Of the record, 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, most were by or about LGBTQIA+ persons, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
This year, the theme for Banned Books Week is “Let Freedom Read.” The American Library Assocation stated, “When we ban books, we’re closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives. But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen. Let Freedom Read!”
Here are some ideas for celebrating and protecting the freedom to read.
- Learn about and sign the ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement. 70 years ago, the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers came together to condemn attacks on free expression. The NCW Libraries Board of Trustees and NCW Libraries staff all affirm this statement.
- Read the NCW Libraries Freedom to Read Statement, adopted by the NCW Libraries Board of Trustees and Executive Leadership Team.
- Check out and read a book from the 2022 Top 13 Banned Books List.
- Check out and read Banned Books on Hoopla.
- Sign up for the Banned Books Reading Challenge through Beanstack, running October 1-31.
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