In 2021, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library materials and services, affecting 1,597 books primarily about Black or LGBTQIA+ folks. This is the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA began compiling this data 20 years ago. And, between January 1st and August 31st of 2022, ALA documented 681 attempts to ban or restrict library resources with 1,651 unique titles targeted. Banned Books Week is critical to raising awareness in our communities about very real threats to intellectual freedom and for marginalized people to see their stories move out of the margins and onto the page.
For our members who are planning programs or campaigns to promote Banned Books Week, here are some resources to help:
- Banned Books Week Coalition website promotional tools, handbook, and program kits
- ALA Banned Books Week press kit
- Unite Against Book Bans toolkit
- EveryLibrary’s petition against banning books in the United States and Book Censorship Database.
- Thousands of organizations throughout the country are sponsoring events; read about some of them here.
Within these sites, you can find programs, images, messaging, social media posts, and more to spread the word and encourage action. Additionally, if you are facing children’s or YA book challenges in your library, Wisconsin’s own Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) offers these Steps to Take When Materials Are Challenged.
We are proud to serve our community of libraries and cultural organizations dedicated to promoting and protecting equity and intellectual freedom. As an independent organization guided by deeply-held organization values, we will continue to strongly support the work our members do to make their libraries and their collections as vital as possible to all members of their communities.
Here are just some of the ways WiLS members are raising awareness:
- Local organizations concern over growing number of challenged books (La Crosse)
- Literary liberty: Banned books make waves across Wisconsin (Marquette University)
- Kaukauna Public Library spreads awareness during Banned Books Week with mug shot lineup
- L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library recognizes Banned Books Week (Eau Claire)
- Oshkosh Public Library celebrates freedom to read
- Banned Books Week Observed in Wisconsin Libraries (Rhinelander / Wausau / Ironwood)
- Thursdays at the U to highlight Banned Books Week (Rice Lake)