Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and gives public attention to current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. For more than 40 years, the national annual event has brought together the entire book community--libraries, teachers, booksellers, publishers, writers, journalists, and readers of all types--in shared support of the freedom to seek and 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.
In a time of intense political polarization, library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. According to the American Libraries Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom, between January 1 and August 31, 2023 there were 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles. The vast majority of challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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!
Source: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned
A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials.
While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the the efforts of libraries, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out of the freedom to read.
Source: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/banned
