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Banned Books

Learn about the recent spike in book bans in the United States and what you can do to fight censorship.

banned books map for May 26, 2023

U.S. Book Challenges Update: October 13 Edition

Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Texas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Arkansas.

U.S. Book Challenges Update: October 13 Edition Read More »

banned books map

U.S. Book Challenges Update: Banned Books Week Edition

Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. This Banned Books Week, we’re raising awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and Oklahoma.

U.S. Book Challenges Update: Banned Books Week Edition Read More »

LeVar Burton on the 11th Hour

People who say there are no book bans are “ill-informed or being willfully ignorant.” LeVar Burton Talks Banned Books

Actor, activist, and 2023 Banned Books Week Honorary Chair LeVar Burton was a guest on MSNBC’s The 11th Hour on Monday to discuss the book bans and challenges that we’re currently facing in the United States. Burton said that the unprecedented increase in bans and challenges is “alarming,” but it has an upside: It’s forcing us to have a conversation about who we want to be as a nation.

People who say there are no book bans are “ill-informed or being willfully ignorant.” LeVar Burton Talks Banned Books Read More »

BANNED BOOKS WEEK: October 1-7, 2023. LET FREEDOM READ. ala.org/bbooks, American Library Association logo

It’s Banned Books Week! Here’s How You Can Get Involved.

It’s Banned Books Week, when libraries, schools, bookstores, and groups and individuals around the world—including Banned Books Week Honorary Chair LeVar Burton—call attention to censorship and ways to fight it.

The American Library Association (ALA) and Unite Against Book Bans will have a slate of programs, a call to action on Let Freedom Read Day, videos from the Banned Books From the Big Chair read out, and more throughout the week.

It’s Banned Books Week! Here’s How You Can Get Involved. Read More »

New York Public Library Main Branch

The New York Public Library Launches Campaign in Response to Rise in Censorship

The New York Public Library is partnering with the American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans to launch the “Books for All” campaign during Banned Books Week, held October 1–7, to underscore the importance of reading and access to knowledge for all and the vital role that public libraries play in our democracy. The partnership comes as the United States experiences an alarming rise in book bans and challenges throughout the country.

The New York Public Library Launches Campaign in Response to Rise in Censorship Read More »

2023 Book Challenge infographic

New Data Shows Record Surge of Book Challenges in Public Libraries

On September 20, the American Library Association (ALA) released new preliminary data that documents the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first eight months in 2023. The data shows that, between January 1 and August 31, 2023, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles. The number of unique titles challenged has increased by 20% from the same reporting period in 2022, the year in which the highest number of book challenges occurred since ALA began compiling this data more than 20 years ago.

New Data Shows Record Surge of Book Challenges in Public Libraries Read More »

Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem, "The Hill We Climb," during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)

Banned Book Club to Discuss Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb

Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb has been selected as the next selection in Chicago Today’s Banned Book Club. And Chicago Today hosts Cortney Hall and Matthew Rodrigues and American Library Association (ALA) Executive Director Tracie D. Hall—who selects the club’s featured books—invite everyone to read and discuss the book with them during a live Facebook chat.

Banned Book Club to Discuss Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb Read More »

Jason Reynolds

“Libraries are places for everybody.” A Conversation with Jason Reynolds

Jason Reynolds is one of the most acclaimed writers of young adult literature in the world. The recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds is the bestselling author of Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Long Way Down, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime, Stuntboy, In-Between Time, and Ain’t Burned All the Bright, as well as books in the Mile Morales Spider-Man franchise for Marvel Entertainment. And he has great taste in music.

Reynolds spoke with I Love Libraries recently about writing for young readers, the fun and challenges of working in the superhero world, book bans, library memories, music, and more.

“Libraries are places for everybody.” A Conversation with Jason Reynolds Read More »

banned books map

U.S. Book Challenges Update: September 2 Edition

Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Georgia, North Carolina, New York, and Florida.

U.S. Book Challenges Update: September 2 Edition Read More »

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