Freed Between the Lines: Banned Books Week 2024
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Held Sept. 22-28, this year’s theme is “Freed Between the Lines.”
What is Banned Books Week & Why is it Important?
Every year, the ALA holds Banned Books Week as a way to condemn censorship, defend each person’s right to read and to freely express ideas. The event brings together librarians, teachers, booksellers, writers, journalists and readers across the United States in support of intellectual freedom.
The ALA compiles data about censorship in libraries, including a list of the top challenged books of the year. In 2023, the ALA documented 1,247 demands to censor library books and resources. 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for censorship in 2023, a 65 percent increase compared to 2022.
No matter your beliefs, the library supports your freedom to seek and express ideas.
The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023
From the ALA’s website: “In a time of intense political polarization, library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books…This tops the previous high from 2022, when 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship. Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.”
Where do censorship attempts take place? Public libraries make up 54% of the share with school libraries at 39%, 5% at schools and 2% in higher education.
View the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 below! You can also see which books topped the list in previous years here.
Want to know how to better defend a book? Visit Book Résumés, which detail various challenged books’ significance and educational value.
Banned & Challenged Books at the Library
According to the ALA, the titles included in the book list below are books that individuals and groups have attempted to remove from libraries and classrooms. All books on this list are available for checkout at the Campbell County Public Library.
Make sure to visit your favorite branch and keep an eye out for Banned Books Week displays!
Challenging Reads
Can’t get enough of reading banned books? Join the Newport Branch’s Challenging Reads book club! The club meets at 7 pm the third Tuesday of every month. Ages 18 & up. For more information and to check out our other clubs, visit cc-pl.org/book-clubs.
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We wanted to share some great reading tips for parents and caregivers that our friends at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library put together. Don't forget that all Campbell County children under age five are eligible to receive free books each month! 📚 Register today at loom.ly/F1xyquE.
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