Saturday, September 28, 2024

Banned Books Week 2024 - What can you do?


Today is the last day of Banned Books Week and it's Let Freedom Read Day. Here is what the day entails...

"The freedom to read is under attack — let’s do something about it!

On September 28, 2024, we’re asking everyone to get ready to vote for the freedom to read or to take at least one action to help defend books from censorship and to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers, and booksellers who make them available!

Show us how you’re taking action on social media by using the hashtags #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek!

And don’t forget: Censorship won’t stop just because Banned Books Week does — you can take action any day of the year! Bookmark this page for future reference."

Visit the page here to find out what you can do. There are graphics for sharing on social media and tips on actions you can take in your community, and with your elected officials. 

These are actions we should be taking regularly throughout the year. Now more than ever, there is even more risk of precious books with important lessons being removed from public and school access. Project 2025 is something that may be very instrumental in this happening if the wrong people take power in this country. If you have not heard of Project 2025 before now, I urge you to read it for yourself. The 922 page 2025 Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise can be read here in its entirety. 

Challenge Reporting

"ALA, established in 1876, has a longstanding commitment to defend intellectual freedom in libraries. Even before the formal adoption of the Library Bill of Rights in 1939, ALA has provided support, guidance, and resources to librarians faced with censorship. Since 1990, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has maintained a database on challenged materials. ALA gathers information from media reports and individual reports submitted from the form below.

Reporting censorship and challenges to materials, resources, and services is vital to developing the best resources to defend library resources and to protect against challenges before they happen. The information gathered from these reports helps OIF:stay aware of developments in the profession
supply library workers with crucial tools, resources, workshops, and programs
compile the Top 10 Most Challenged Books list and trend reports for public awareness

OIF staff will be in contact to offer assistance and support. Even if support is not needed, please report challenges. Your report is confidential unless you tell us otherwise. Visit the ALA Fight Censorship clearinghouse of resources, statements, partners, and graphics for more information and additional ways you can defend the freedom to read and support others facing censorship."

The information above, and the form to report censorship, can be found on this page.

I hope my Banned Books Week coverage has been informational this year. See you next year. 📚



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