In 2022, reports of censorship in schools and libraries increased by 38% over 2021.
The American Library Association found 2,571 unique titles targeted last year, resulting is a new focus for Banned Books Week 2023.
“Our 2023 Banned Books Week theme – ‘Let Freedom Read’ – captures what’s at stake for our democracy: that the safety of our right to speak and think freely is directly in proportion to our right to read,” Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, president of the ALA, said in a release. “ALA encourages libraries in every context to mark Banned Books Week by inviting other groups within their communities to celebrate and take action to protect our freedom to read all year long.”
To help further publicize the week, actor and writer LeVar Burton is serving as honorary chair of Banned Books Week. Burton hosted “Reading Rainbow” on PBS in the 1980s-90s, executive produced the 2023 documentary “The Right to Read,” and leads a podcast called “LeVar Burton Reads.”
“Books are under attack. They’re being removed from libraries and schools. Shelves have been emptied because of a small number of people and their misguided efforts toward censorship,” he said in an ALA release. “Public advocacy campaigns like Banned Books Week are essential to helping people understand the scope of book censorship and what they can do to fight it. I’m honored to lead Banned Books Week 2023.”
Burton and Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair Da’Taeveyon Daniels will have a live virtual conversation at 8 p.m. Oct. 4. The pair will share their thoughts on censorship and advocacy. Visit www.bannedbooks.org to learn more.
