Flaxman's Pop Up Libraries

.Why Fighting for Intellectual Freedom is More Important than Ever in the U.S..

"New data reported to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) shows that the majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements. Pressure groups and government entities that include elected officials, board members and administrators initiated 72% of demands to censor books in school and public libraries. Parents only accounted for 16% of demands to censor books, while 5% of challenges were brought by individual library users. The 120 titles most frequently targeted for censorship during 2024 are all identified on partisan book rating sites which provide tools for activists to demand the censorship of library books. . .Reports sent to ALA documented 821 attempts to censor library books and other materials in 2024 across all library types, a decrease from 2023 when 1,247 attempts were reported. In 2024, ALA recorded the third highest number of book challenges since tracking began in 1990" (Source).

In Illinois we will have legislation that blocks book banning in our state that went into effect January 1, 2024 (source). Meanwhile, other states have no such protections for their libraries. There has been outcry about protecting the freedom to read in response to the increased number of politically motivated book challenges, with polls showing Americans are predominantly against book bans (source). This banned books week, we encourage our community to celebrate intellectual freedom and take action where possible to support the anti-censorship movement.  Unite Against Banned Books has an action toolkit anyone can use to amplify the movement and join the conversation.

.What is Banned Books Week?.

"Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. 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 and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. (From the Banned Books Week About page.)

.What is a Banned or Challenged Book?.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), "A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. A banning is the removal of those materials." (From the ALA Banned Books Week page.)

.What is the Freedom to Read?.

The ALA has issued a statement on the freedom to read, and begin by stating: "The freedom to read is essential to our democracy." Freedom to read as a rallying phrase is an affirmation of intellectual freedom, anti-censorship, and equal access to knowledge as a democratic society. They go on to outline seven propositions for the role of librarians and publishers as protectors of this freedom for all citizens in our community. (Read the full statement here.)

.Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024.

From ALA's Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 - see that page for reasons why they were banned or challenged.

.Other Banned + Challenged Books Since 2010.

A selection of other banned or challenged books in the Flaxman Collection from the OIF's Top 10 Most Challenged Books Lists - see that page for reasons why they were banned or challenged.

.Other Banned + Challenged Books 2000-2009.

A selection of other banned or challenged books in the Flaxman Collection from the OIF's Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009.