Banned Books Week 2024 subjectId: 690777

Do you read comics?  How about romances? Historical fiction? Nonfiction?  Chances are, you’ve read a book that’s been banned!  Writers of every race, religion, and gender identity have had their books, comics, short stories and more banned because their ideas were deemed too dangerous for the public.  Books are being banned from libraries in the United States and abroad every year.  According to the American Library Association's (ALA) webpage on 2023 Banned books data, "the number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022." According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF), there were 1,247 demands to censor library books and resources in 2023.   

Click here if you are interested in learning more and getting involved.

For those interested in participating in additional events for Banned Books Week in Miami, there will be a concert, Sunday, September 22nd at 3:00 pm located at the Sanctuary for Banned Books at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. Miami born and raised artist, Joanie Leeds, will be performing a concert inspired by children's books that have been banned in Florida. The concert aims to amplify messages of love, inclusion and solidarity. There will also be live readings and opportunities to discuss ways to address educational censorship and book bans. 

For more information and to RSVP, please visit this link: https://www.booksandbooks.com/event/sing-for-freadom-with-joanie-leeds/

As per the ALA's Q&A Section on why Banned Book Week matters, "Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek, to publish, to read, and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular."

Freed Between the Lines
Banned Books Week 2024

What is Banned Books Week?

Every fall, libraries, schools, bookstores, museums, and other places around the world organize in celebration of Banned Books Week. Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week was established in response to a rapid surge in book challenges across libraries, bookstores and schools.

Taking place September 22nd through September 28th, Banned Books Week 2024 encourages us to reflect on the increasing waves of censorship, and to acknowledge the importance of libraries in maintaining access to all narratives and ideas—even those considered controversial.

Throughout the week, libraries across the country celebrate the freedom to read while calling attention to continued efforts to ban books featuring the stories of people whose identities and viewpoints have traditionally been underrepresented, such as immigrants, refugees, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, or people with disabilities.

Recently, libraries have found themselves at the center of a culture war. As individuals and interest groups lead historic efforts to challenge and ban academic materials addressing racism, sexual identity, gender, and politics, libraries are being called to fight against censorship efforts at unprecedented rates. This call is not entirely new. Librarians have always been on the front lines of the fight to defend the freedom to read. However, in 2023, the number of titles challenged, banned or targeted for censorship increased drastically across several states.

Censorship by the Numbers

Every year, the American Library Association (ALA) compiles data on book challenges from reports filed with its Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). Based on information provided by library professionals, community members, as well as news stories published throughout the United States, ALA releases the “Top 10 Most Challenged Books” list each year. In 2023, ALA counted 1,247 challenges to library, school and university materials. Of the reported book challenges, ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship—a 65% surge from the previous year.

According to data from the ALA, the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year while school libraries saw an 11% increase. Of the reported materials, 54% of book challenges targeted materials in public libraries; 39% targeted books and materials in school libraries, classroom libraries or school curricula. Furthermore, titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.

Why are books challenged?

Oftentimes, book challenges are motivated by a desire to protect children from “inappropriate” content or “offensive” language. The following were the top three reasons cited for challenging materials as reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom:
1.)  the materials were considered "sexually explicit”,
2.)  the material contained "offensive language”,
3.)  the materials were considered "unsuited to any age group"

When concerned individuals object to the availability of certain books in a school or library, they present a complaint to the school board or library administration, calling for the removal of any materials deemed offensive. These challenges are then reviewed by the appropriate administration. If the verdict requires the challenged book to be relocated or removed from public access entirely, then the book is considered banned.

According to data from the ALA, Florida saw more books challenged for removal than any other state in 2023 with nearly 2,700 titles targeted for restriction or removal in Florida schools and public libraries. That’s 1,200 more than the state with the second-most challenges, Texas.

Book challenges are about more than just one person or group expressing an opinion about a particular title or author; they serve as an attempt to limit access to specific points of views. In Florida, a majority of the books challenged and subsequently banned have been books that touch on race (How to be Anti-Racist by: Ibram X. Kendi), sexuality (Lawn Boy by: Jonathan Evison) or gender identity (Gender Queer: A Memoir by: Maia Kobabe). Notably in Florida, these challenges have led to a federal lawsuit against one Florida county regarding the school board’s decision to ban and restrict access to over 1,600 books. Led by writers' advocacy group PEN America and the largest publisher in the U.S. –Penguin Random House, the lawsuit alleges that recent decisions by officials in Escambia County to ban and restrict access to books in school libraries violates students’ equal protection under the law citing violations of free speech and educational rights.

Books have always served as a way for readers to build connections and expand their worldview. The act of engaging with stories that extend beyond our own lived experiences is unifying; censorship, on the other hand, divides and creates barriers. For the full list of this years banned books list and their reasons for being banned, please visit the ALA’s “Top 10 most Challenged Books” list.

Banned Books Week at the University of Miami  
Come join us in September for a week-long celebration of free speech and great literature! Starting September 22nd, look around the library for books that have been challenged or banned – some of the titles may surprise you.
Want to know more? Check out our Banned Books Week Guide and learn more about what happens when a book is challenged.
 
Exercise your right to read – check out a banned book from the library!

While we are not hosting an in-person event this year, please watch our website for Banned Books information!  Look for our exhibits coming in September 2024!

Join the Virtual Read-out!  Take a look at the Banned Books Week YouTube channel, featuring celebrities reading from their favorite banned book.  Want to join in?  Take a video of yourself reading aloud from a banned book and submit it online!

"Florida had more books challenged for removal than any other state in 2023, library orginization says."

"Florida school district pulls over 1,600 books for review to possibly be banned - including dictionaries." 

"Book called 'Ban This Book' is now banned in Florida. Its author has this to say about the irony." 

"Florida school board, sued for book bans, wants to take testimony of 7-year-old student." 

Penguin Random House and 5 authors are suing a Florida school board over book bans

Miami Booksellers React to Surge in Book Bans in Florida Public Schools 

ALA Resources for fighting censorship 

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom

So You Want to Support Your Library? School and Public Libraries Need Your Support in a Wave of Book Banning

"DeSantis Signs bill limiting Florida book challenge law, blames liberal activist who wanted Bible out of schools." 

"There's Confusion Over Book Bans in Florida Schools. Here's Why." 

"Children and parents begin uphill fightback against book bans in Florida." 

"Florida bill limits citizen-led school book objections to once per month." 

"A new law aims to protect Colorado's public libraries from book bans." 

"Gov. Pritzker Signs Bill Making Illinois First State in the Nation to Outlaw Book Bans."

"NYC libraries are offering free digital library cards to people across the U.S."

"Report: Last year ended with a surge in book bans." 

"Books banned across US hit record high in 2023-2024 school year: report." 

"Book bans in US schools and libraries surged to record highs in 2023." 

"Objection to sexual, LGBTQ content propels spike in book challenges." 

"The book ban movement has a chilling new tactic: harassing teachers on social media."

ALA Banned & Challenged Books in the United States