On March 14, 2024, the American Library Association released data and statistics about book bans in the United States in 2023. The number of unique titles challenged shattered last year's records.
A record 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for censorship in 2023, a 65% increase over the 2,571 unique titles targeted in 2022 and a staggering 128% increase over 2021 numbers.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!
And don’t forget: Censorship won’t stop just because Banned Books Week does — you can take action any day of the year!
Here's What You Can Do If YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES
Register to vote.
Register to vote, or make sure your voter registration is up to date.
Take the Freedom to Read Voter Pledge.
Commit to voting for the freedom to read. Support policies and policymakers up and down the ballot that support the right to read for everyone in our diverse communities. Take the pledge.
If you have 15 minutes…
Find out what’s on your ballot.
Are there positions in your local government or school board up for election? What about propositions or ballot measures that might impact schools, libraries, or booksellers? Download a sample ballot from your state election office or use a resource like Vote411.org to find out what’s happening in your local elections.
If you have 30 minutes…
Ask your candidates about where they stand on book bans.
Want to know what a candidate thinks about censorship? Ask them! Contact your local candidates and ask them to respond to questions about where they stand on book bans. Unite Against Book Bans has a sample questionnaire that you can use in whole or in part to evaluate your candidates.
If you have AN HOUR OR MORE…
Attend a town hall or rally.
What better way to learn about where candidates stand on book bans than to ask them in person?! Town halls and rallies are good ways to find out about the issues and what your candidates plan to do to address them.
Help your community prepare for elections.
Host a nonpartisan in-person or virtual event that promotes voter registration, informs the community about the voting rights, or fosters conversation about elections. The Voter Engagement Guide from Reader Voter Ready has several event suggestions.
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