Censorship Is So 1984—Read for Your Rights
Banned Books Week, sometimes called Freedom to Read Week, began in 1982 in response to a sharp rise in book challenges in libraries, schools, and bookstores. This year’s theme—Censorship Is So 1984—Read for Your Rights—reminds us that the freedom to read is essential to an open, democratic society. This week is important because it reminds us that everyone has the right to access ideas and stories freely. Today, books are still being removed from classrooms and libraries for addressing topics like race, gender, sexuality, or ideas that challenge comfort zones.
Some of the Facts According to the American Library Association (2024)
- Nearly 72% of censorship attempts were initiated by pressure groups and decision makers including organizational boards and administration. Only 16% are initiated by parents and only 4% by library patrons.
- 55% of challenges take place in public libraries and 38% in school libraries, with an increasing rate of multi-titles challenges.
- Although the number of unique title challenges decreased in 2024 (2,452 down from 4,240), this may be due to a decline in reporting due to legislative pressure, intimidation of library workers, fatigue, and attrition.
- The vast majority (76%) of censorship attempts target books and graphic novels, but also take aim at displays, programs, films, and library programs.
- The number of unique titles challenged in Virginia increased from 9 in 2015 to 89 in 2024.
Ways to Get Involved
If you’d like to fight censorship in your community and protect the freedom to read, there are several ways you can get involved:
- Stay informed. Keep your eye on your local news and if you hear of a book challenge, support your local library by contacting the Office for Intellectual Freedom. Read up on the national landscape of censorship by signing up for the Intellectual Freedom News newsletter.
- Help spread the word. Stand up for your stories! Share using the hashtag #BannedBooksWeek.
- Speak out. Submit a Letter to the Editor or share a PSA on your local news station.
- Exercise your right to read. Check out a banned book and encourage your book club to discuss it at your next meeting.
Banned Books Week Programs
Richmond Public Library has two exciting events planned for Banned Books Week:
Freedom to Read Bingo—Ginter Park Branch
From September 28–October 11, kids can pick up a bingo card and read banned and challenged books to complete rows. Prizes are awarded for getting bingo!
Group Bike Ride for Banned Books—Belmont Branch
On Saturday, October 4 at 10:00 AM, join us for a celebratory ride through the Museum District. Decorate your bike—or yourself—as your favorite banned book character. Riders will loop the neighborhood and return to the library. Please note: this ride is for experienced cyclists, as it takes place on city streets. Young children are welcome in bike seats or cargo trailers. Registration required.
Our Favorite Banned Books
There are so many amazing books that have been challenged and/or banned over the years. At Richmond Public Library, one of the most frequently checked-out titles in this category is A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. A Court of Thorns and Roses (or ACOTR as it’s affectionately nicknamed) is a young adult fantasy. The most common reason it’s been challenged or banned is the presence of mature sexual content.
Some of my personal favorites include Maus by Art Spiegelman, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, and Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo. I also polled our staff to see which banned and challenged books were at the top of their list. Here’s what they shared:
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Hunger Games by Susanne Collins
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
The Princess and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
A Gift for Ghost by Borja Gonzalez
Hair Love by Matthew A Cherry
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski
Kindred by Octavia Butler
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
