This morning, the American Library Association released new data showing that challenges to book and library materials nearly doubled in 2022, shedding light on a disturbing national trend.
The record spike in book bans during 2022 did not originate from individual conversations with concerned parents. Overwhelmingly, these challenges were presented by groups and individuals at library board meetings that demanded the removal of long lists of books obtained from organized censorship groups who share these lists on social media. These well-organized attempts at censorship must be stopped.
A majority of American voters across party lines do not support book bans and may not be aware of the severity of the problem. We need your help to raise awareness and inspire voters to act. Here are a few ways you can get involved today.
Follow Unite Against Book Bans on social media, and react to and share today’s posts:
In addition to maximizing this opportunity to expose and condemn organized attempts at book banning and censorship through social media, today is a great day to contact the media yourself or on behalf of your family or your organization, in response to new data.
As ALA’s Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, put it: “The last two years have been exhausting, frightening, outrage inducing.” We are proud of and grateful for the actions of our Unite Against Book Bans partners and supporters pushing back against censorship, and we stand with you in this ongoing fight for the freedom to read.
