Banned Books Week was first launched in 1982 as a response to an increase in the number of challenges to books in schools, libraries, and bookstores. BBW was founded in part by the American Library Association (ALA). For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted authority for all our libraries – school, public, government, etc. The mission of BBW is to emphasize the importance of free and open access to information.
The theme for BBW 2023 is Let Freedom Read! Never before has there been such a threat to the freedom for books of all types to exist and be available to the public. More books are being challenged than ever by extremists trying to control the content of our lives.
Personally, I have never understood the concept of banning books. Hitler tried it in Nazi Germany, as has every dictator and autocrat since the beginning of printed material. It never works. No one can stifle thoughts and the sharing of those thoughts. We should all be represented in the reading material in the world. There may be books you don’t want to read or you don’t want your children to read, but that doesn’t give you the right to say no one should read those books. As the meme says, “If a book at the library offends you, don’t check it out.”
On October 7, 2023, we’re asking everyone 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!
Show us how you’re taking action on social media by using the hashtags #LetFreedomReadDay and #BannedBooksWeek!And don’t forget: Censorship won’t stop just because Banned Books Week does — you can take action any day of the year! Bookmark this page for future reference.
Banned Books Week Let Freedom Read
Marti Johns 