Book bans are on the rise in communities across the country. We're fighting back, but we need your help.
News and Updates
On Thursday, the American Library Association released censorship data from 2023, showing a sharp increase in the number of unique book titles targeted for censorship.
Champion Diverse Voices: Celebrate National Day of Reading on March 5
In a climate where book bans threaten the ability of young people to access diverse and inclusive literature, Welcoming Schools’ National Day of Reading stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and empowerment.
NYPL Continues Nationwide ‘Books For All: Teen Banned Book Club’ with ‘The Downstairs Girl’
Starting February 21, readers across the country will have unlimited access to the award-winning young adult bestseller The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee as part of The New York Public Library’s nationwide Teen Banned Book Club.
New Free Book Résumé Resource
In collaboration with the publishing community, Unite Against Book Bans is unveiling a free collection of book résumés to support librarians, educators, parents, students, and other community advocates in their efforts to keep frequently challenged books on shelves.
Unite Against Book Bans is a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
We are not alone. On both sides of the aisle, large majorities of voters and parents oppose book bans.
of voters oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries.
of voters oppose efforts to remove books from school libraries.
Full poll results and key findings available via the American Library Association.
And yet, attempts to ban books from libraries continue to rise at an unprecedented level across the country. The American Library Association reported 1,269 attempts 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.
Book bans harm communities.
Students cannot access critical information to help them understand themselves and the world around them. Parents lose the opportunity to engage in teachable moments with their kids. And communities lose the opportunity to learn and build mutual understanding.
Although book bans are nothing new, there were more censorship attempts in 2022 than at any time since the American Library Association began tracking more than two decades ago.
If you believe...
- Books are tools for understanding complex issues.
- Young people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books.
- Parents should not be making decisions for other parents’ children.
- Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read.
- Limiting young people’s access to books does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues.
Empowered by Reading
There are many important benefits of providing children and youth with a wide variety of developmentally appropriate reading materials - books which reflect their personal life experiences, as well a the experiences, stories, and histories of others in and beyond their communities.
Action Toolkit
Take a stand against book bans. Check out the UABB action toolkit and defend the right to read in your community.
Become a Partner
We can't defeat book bans alone. Unite with us as an organizational partner, and together we'll work to defeat censorship.
This campaign is organized by the American Library Association and was launched with the generous support of the Steve & Loree Potash Family Foundation and the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Help us continue the fight against censorship. Your donation supports our efforts to defend the freedom to read for all Americans.