Banned Books

If you hear of a challenge at your local library, support your librarian and free and open access to library materials by contacting the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). OIF estimates it learns of only 3-18% of book challenges. 

-- from the American Library Association, Office for Intellectual Freedom

The American Library Association, Office for Intellectual Freedom has curated a list of ways to get involved with Banned Books Week initiatives and to show your support. Visit their "Get Involved" page for more information. 

• Stay informed. Find out your library's policy for reviewing challenged materials. Stay updated about intellectual freedom by signing up for the free Intellectual Freedom News newsletter, or reading the Journal for Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.
• Help spread the word. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to declare your right to read.
• Speak out. Announce the importance of unrestricted reading on your local public radio station with a PSA script. Write letters to the editor, your public library director and your school principal supporting the freedom to read. Talk to your friends about why everyone should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families what they read.
• Exercise your reading rights. Check out a banned book. Encourage your book club to discuss rebellious reads.

Right to Read Day

The American Library Association (ALA) today announced a national day of action to protect libraries and the freedom to read, designating April 24, the Monday of National Library Week, as Right to Read Day. Right to Read Day also marks the first anniversary of the ALA-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign, a public-facing advocacy initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.

“Right to Read Day is a national day of action—not just acknowledgment,” said ALA President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada. “ALA calls on readers everywhere to show our commitment to the First Amendment by doing something concrete to preserve it. 

"ALA calls for national day of action to protect the freedom to read, designates Right to Read Monday for 2023 National Library Week", American Library Association, April 17, 2023. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2023/04/ala-announces-right-to-read-day

Unite Against Book Bans is a national American Library Association initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.

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.

Unite Against Book Bans has prepared an Action Toolkit for your organization’s and your individual use help you amplify and support this campaign. Find FAQs about banned books, talking points, ways of finding and contacting local decision makers, contacting the media, and general information on organizing.