NEWS AND UPDATES
Local leaders create the policies that impact our day-to-day lives, including whether or not book bans are implemented. Run for Something Civics is hosting a national civic holiday to encourage more people to get involved civically and increase representation at every level of the government.
Advocate Spotlight: Bob Sommer, co-owner of Changing Hands Bookstore (AZ)
Bob Sommer is co-owner of independent bookstore Changing Hands in Arizona. In this advocate spotlight, he urges freedom-loving people to unite against the dangerous movement to ban books in libraries and schools.
Oppose H.R. 7661 and Support the Right to Read Act
On March 17th, the House Committee on Education and Workforce voted in favor of H.R. 7661, a government censorship bill that would block federal funds for any material that is […]
Safeguarding Young Writers and Their Freedom in These Times
Laura Brief, CEO of 826 National, shares her thoughts on the current political climate of censorship and its impact on young writers. 826 issues a call to combat book-ban legislation—including the federal book ban bill, H.R. 7661—and to protect students amid a broader cultural shift in our democracy.
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 1,247 attempts to censor library books and resources in 2023, primarily driven by efforts of pressure groups to censor multiple titles at a time in public and school libraries.
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, they continue to happen at an alarming and unprecedented rate.
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.