NEWS AND UPDATES
On October 19, more than 175 events took place across the country in observation of the first-ever Freedom to Read Community Day of Action—a massive and inspiring outpouring of support for this fundamental right.
As Censorship Spreads, ‘The Banned Book Club’ Goes National
The Banned Book Club, a project of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and Lyrasis, has now made e-versions of banned books available to all readers across the country, totally free of charge, regardless of whether they currently live in an area impacted by book bans or not.
Listen In: “The Freedom to Read is an Essential Human – and Religious – Right!”
Interfaith Alliance releases a new podcast, “The Freedom to Read is an Essential Human – and Religious – Right!” featuring Unite partners.
NYPL Announces New Season of Teen Banned Book Club & National Teen Art Contest
The new season of NYPL’s Teen Banned Book Club is shining a spotlight on graphic novels, starting with the bestselling Flamer by Mike Curato. A discussion guide, branded promotional materials, a virtual author visit, and special purchase options for libraries are available.
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.