Celebrate Banned Books Week: Defending Our Right to Read

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Jennifer DeVito

In honor of Banned Books Week, we invite you to visit the Central Reading Room to explore our special Banned Books display. The display highlights the growing challenges to our freedom to read, showcases books that have faced censorship, and features interactive elements like stickers and a selfie station to encourage participation.

Book bans are on the rise across the country. According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, there were 1,247 attempts to ban books and resources in 2023 alone—an alarming 65% increase from the previous year. Of these, 47% targeted books representing LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. Additionally, a concerning trend has emerged: more challenges are now targeting multiple titles at once.

This year’s Banned Books Week theme, “Freed Between the Lines,” underscores the serious threat these attempts pose to our freedom to read and access diverse perspectives. We encourage you to learn more about book censorship and the importance of intellectual freedom by stopping by the library. Stand with us to protect your right to read!