Book banning has been around for centuries, back when books were not just banned but burned. So it’s no surprise that, after an uptick in book bans and challenges in the 1980s, Banned Books Week came to fruition in the United States.
A Brief History
In 1982, the “hero of librarians,” Judith Krug, founded Banned Books Week. This annual weeklong event highlights banned or challenged books. This time is used to reflect on the importance of literature that has faced bans and censorship in different forms.
Which Books Are Banned or Challenged
The contested books have questioned societal norms, sparked controversy, and pushed boundaries. These books have been banned or challenged in schools, libraries, and communities because of alleged concerns about their content, themes, or ideas. Well-known books include 1984 and The Hate U Give.
These bans affect students who don’t get to see themselves as the main characters in books as often. For instance, in an analysis by PEN America, in a “six-month period [between July 2022 and December 2022], 30% of the unique titles banned are books about race, racism, or feature characters of color. Meanwhile, 26% of unique titles banned have LGBTQ+ characters or themes.”
Why a Whole Week
Banned Books Week encourages people to pick up these books and read them with an open mind. It’s an opportunity for many to put themselves in another’s shoes. (As mentioned, these are books that often feature historically underrepresented groups in the US.) This week encourages readers to engage in the reason behind why these books were banned or challenged. Readers can analyze the merit (or, in this editor’s belief, the lack of merit) behind those bans and challenges.
This annual event also emphasizes the pivotal roles held by libraries, educators, and individuals in preserving the freedom to read. Libraries specially curate displays with featured contested books, while educators use the week to teach critical thinking. Readers of all ages are encouraged to discover these thought-provoking works.
Brooklyn Public Library is an example of such a library. Brooklyn Public Library launched an initiative called Books Unbanned to help teens and young adults. The library designed this initiative so that young adults and teens can access books their local or school libraries may have banned. Readers ages 13 to 21 living outside the state of New York just need to request a special library card to access ebooks. Once these readers have their National Teen BPL eCard, they then have access to all the ebooks in the library’s collection and the library’s learning database. (Visit www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned and follow their instructions.)
Support (or Lack Thereof) of Book Bans
This week also highlights the lack of public support for book bans. The American Library Association (ALA) commissioned a national poll in 2022. In that poll, the ALA found about 70% of voters opposed public libraries being forced to remove books. This was regardless of party. The ALA poll found that 71% of voters in that poll opposed having books removed from their public libraries. Also worth noting is that an overwhelming majority (74%) of parents polled also trust their children’s school librarians to make proper decisions on what books should be available to students.
Pick a Banned Book and Read
Banned Books Week is a reminder to enjoy the freedom to read and celebrate diversity. It’s a time to ensure that literature continues to be a catalyst for critical thinking and enduring compassion in an ever-changing world.
So how can you celebrate? Well, if you aren’t from a historically underrepresented group, find a banned or challenged book with a main character who’s different from you by heading to Banned Books Week’s website and put yourself in the main character’s shoes. Also, check out ways to take action against book banning.
Happy banned book reading,
Rita
The Fiery History of Banned Books
(Feat. Princess Weekes) | It’s Lit