The quote below is from the American Library Association's main webpage for Banned Books Week, which this year runs from October 1st to October 7th, Celebrate the week by supporting librarians and educators who are under fire, as well as taking a bit of time to read one of the many books that have been challenged or banned over time. This year's honourary chair of the 2023 campaign is LeVar Burton, known not only for his role in 'Star Trek', but in the beloved 'Reading Rainbow' series.
“This is a dangerous time for readers and the public servants who provide access to reading materials. Readers, particularly students, are losing access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their jobs.”- Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom
Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. For more than 40 years, the annual event has brought together the entire book community — librarians, teachers, booksellers, publishers, writers, journalists, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
In a time of intense political polarization, library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom ALA documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 book challenges reported in 2021. Of the record 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, most were by or about LGBTQIA+ persons and Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
The theme for Banned Books Week 2023 is "Let Freedom Read." 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!'
For a list of the 13 most challenged books of 2023, follow the link below. There are, from there (at the bottom) links to those of the previous decades beginning with the 1990s.
The 13 Most Challenged Books of 2023
I recently got a sticker from
MoveOn, and progressive organisation that is supporting those who stand against book bans and challenges. It's going on the car in celebration of Banned Books Week.
