News and Updates
Little Free Library just launched a new interactive map that shows both the locations of book bans across the U.S. and nearby Little Free Library book-sharing boxes.
Banned Books from the Big Chair: Emotional Testimony from Authors and Readers
Sage sponsored “Banned Books from the Big Chair” at the 2024 ALA Annual Conference, where more than 200 authors, educators, librarians, and book enthusiasts read passages from banned books.
Grandparents For Truth: August 31 Rally To Oppose Book Bans and Censorship
Grandparents For Truth, the grassroots organization bringing together grandparents and their allies to combat censorship and book bans, took to the streets in 2023 to counter far-right organizations’ attacks on education. Now, we’re getting ready to take the rallying up a notch.
October 19: Save the Date to Protect the Freedom to Read
Saturday, October 19th will be a nationwide day of action to support libraries! Join us for the Freedom to Read Community Day of Action by organizing an in-person event or rally in your community. Sign up now to be part of this important movement!
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.
Merch Against Book Bans
Show the world that you unite against book bans with our official UABB apparel and totes, available in the ALA Graphics Store. All purchases support the Unite Against Book Bans campaign and our efforts to fight 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.