During the week of September 22 through 28, the USC Upstate Library invites you to commemorate Banned Books Week 2024. This year's theme is "Freed Between the Lines."
According to the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) of the American Library Association (ALA), in 2023, there were 1,247 efforts to censor books and other resources in libraries--an increase of 65% over 2022. Many of these efforts attempted to challenge, censor, and ban multiple books simultaneously. Thus, in total, some 4,240 unique book titles were targeted.
So far, in 2024, between January 1 and August 31, the OIF tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services, targeting 1,128 unique titles. While this number is lower than the data reported for 2023, it still represents an overall increase of challenges and bans since 2020.
Many challenged, censored, and banned books feature Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Other (LGBTQIA+) and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) content. Nevertheless, challenges to the freedom to read affect all of us. It stands to reason that if censorship is successful against one book, topic, or population group, then efforts to censor have the potential to be successful against others.
There are simple and multiple ways to protect the freedom to read. The American Library Association suggests the following:
Stay Informed. This week, the American Library Association will offer a number of free programs about censorship, book bans and challenges, and the freedom to read. Register and attend.
Report challenges. If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support library employees and free and open access to library materials by reporting it to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. The OIF estimates that it learns about less than 20% of book challenges. Don't assume that others know and will take action.
Write a letter to a favorite banned or challenged author.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of libraries and the freedom to read.
Spread the word by using the hashtag #BannedBooksWeek on social media.
Talk to your friends and family about why everyone should be allowed to choose what they read.
Check out a banned book. Use the USC Upstate Library search box to find books that you can check out and read.
