No author, press, book store, library or community at large is immune to the threat of book censorship and banning.
It is from this initial place that Brick Cave Media has organized this page with information regarding book banning, censorship and resources to help communities navigate this dangerous topic. We have organized this page to help you understand, engage and ultimately ensure that the right of free speech is protected in the written word.
Understanding Why Book Censorship Exists
Junior Library Guild has a great post that scratches the beginnings of the psychology of book banning and censorship within a community, including:
- Fear of the Unknown
- Desire to Protect
- Preservation of Societal Norms
- Control of Narrative:
- Avoidance of Cognitive Dissonance
- Preventing Perceived Harm
One or more of any of these motivators could be at play in any attempt to ban or censor books. It is important to understand why the effort is happening, in order to effectively engage in the discussion or the effort to preserve freedom to read.
About Book Ban Activity
The Free Speech Center at Tennessee State University identifies Children's Literature as the most frequent target of those that would seek to ban or censure books. In 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 821 attempts to censor library materials and services. In those cases, 2,452 unique titles were challenged. PEN America recorded school year book ban requests that amounted to 10,046 instances of book ban attempts.
Book Banning Without Active Banning
The same ALA article referenced above identifies Censorship by Exclusion, Underreporting and Legislative restrictions as means that have been used to effectively censure or ban books.
How Do You Recognize an Effort to Ban Books
Not every signal that a banning or censorship effort is happening is as clear as clear as someone standing in front of a city council- but it could be. How can you see these red flags?
Often, those that would initiate bans will use sensationalist claims to encourage an immediate emotional response in support of their plan. It is important the you both recognize, and engage appropriately to protect the right to read in your community.
Make Participation a Community Team Effort
In this day and age, expecting everyone to be everywhere with the simple answer of "go to the meetings" is unrealistic. But, as neighbors and communities, you can communicate and share the responsibility of keeping tabs on your school board meetings, city council meetings and other "ear in the room opportunities". There are plenty of ways, both vitually and in-person, that community members can come together and share what they have experienced. Talking as a group is also a great way to really assess if an item is a threat.
Stay In Touch
If you have children in school at any level, be sure to stay connected, not just to their teachers, but to your own children. Students usually are on the front lines of new policies and procedures, so do not be afriad to talk to your kids about sharing their experiences with you, and help them understand why it's important.
Stay in touch with other school staff members- particularly Librarians or Media Specialists. Let them know that you are happy to hear about new policies and procedures they are being instructed to enforce.
Subscribe to your community's government Youtube Channel. Most municipal governments will have a YT channel to pubish recordings of meetings and special sessions. Make sure you are getting notified of new content.
Social Media
Understanding and monitoring the social media can be a challenge. The bigger challenge is discerning what content is content that deserves your attention, versus content simply meant to draw attention reaction, or fill space.
Don't argue on Social Media. Arguing on Social Media serves no one but the antagonist, and is not an effective means to affect (or prevent) change.
DO make sure the persons most important decision makers in any effort to ban or censor books understand your position and why you feel it's important not to do so.
Again, utilize your power of numbers to track content on social channels relavent to the effort to ban or censure. Make sure that any information discovered is shared among the group, and that the group has a plan of response, in order to be consistant in the message delivered.
How Can Can You Resist a Book Banning or Censorship Effort?
Unite Against Book Bans has an excellent action toolkit available for you to use to engage in preventing book bans and censorships. It is important that your stand up for your communities #righttoread.
You Are Not Alone
Understand that methods of intimidation work best when the instigator can make you feel alone, and without the ability to resist. They are often organized into active groups themselves.
You are not alone. Find your allies- ask your neighbors, friends and others. Come together, review the toolkits, make an effort to understand what is happening and why, then form a plan of protection for the right to read.
