While we're off this week, we're encouraging everyone to listen to our Stop Book Banning episode, rereleased with new content! This week, we're talking to Maggie Tokuda-Hall, one of the founders of Authors Against Book Bans about the growth of book bans around the country in 2024.
Book bans in United States schools and libraries are at their highest since the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom started collecting data, happening around the country, in every state, and disproportionately affecting books by and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people. What’s more, challenges are likely underreported, because librarians who are resisting them are facing unprecedented workplace retribution and in some cases physical danger.
Book Bans are on the ballot this year in every state and local election, up and down the ticket. State legislatures, local town councils, county leadership and school boards are being overrun with candidates supported by conservative activists looking to limit access to books and ideas that offer identity, empathy, awareness, and power to young people around the country.
We’re concerned, so today, we’re releasing a special episode of Fated Mates focused on book bans across the country. We interview three experts on what’s happening, who is most impacted, and how we can all help. Show notes are extensive, and we hope you’ll take a look at them.
The Guests
Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author, activist, podcaster and founding member of Authors Against Book Bans
Jarett Dapier, librarian, activist and author of Mr. Watson’s Chickens. Jarrett is offering his complete stage adaption of Chris Crutcher's YA novel "The Sledding Hill" to the Office for Intellectual Freedom in support of Banned Books Week as a free download to read. Schools and communities interested in performing the play can do so with a $75 donation to the ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom.
Lily Freeman, activist and student in Central Bucks County, PA. Read Lily’s op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer and follow her instagram at ProjectUncensored. Congratulations, Lily, on your graduation!
Melissa Walker, political activist at The States Project, journalist, and Middle Grade and YA author of Violet on the Runway, Let’s Pretend We Never Met, Small Town Sinners and more.
The Resources
Authors Against Book Bans, the author and creator wing of the fight for the freedom to read
The Youth Censorship Database at the National Coalition Against Censorship
Book Riot’s censorship coverage is excellent and updated almost daily. They have an excellent explainer for how to find and develop a local anti-censorship group
Intellectual Round Table Freedom Blog: an exhaustive list of links related to news about challenges, censorship, and banning incidents, developing issues, and controversies that is updated weekly
PEN America’s data on School Book Bans and Index of Educational Gag Orders
American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, full of resources and toolkits on challenges and how to combat them
What’s happening in Central Bucks County, PA is happening all over the country. Kids, families and educators are protesting loudly
Advocates for Inclusive Education, for more information on what’s happening on the ground in Bucks County, PA
A map from ALA Banned Books week at the University of Illinois Library, and another from Red Wine & Blue.
Teens around the country can get library cards from the Brooklyn Public Library. To apply for the card, teens can send a note to BooksUnbanned@bklynlibrary.org, or via the Library’s s teen-run Instagram account, @bklynfuture. The $50 fee normally associated with out-of-state cards will be waived
Learn more about the Book Ban Busters at Red Wine & Blue.
Ballotpedia is a resource for your local ballot and your local election maps
Vote.org, to check your voter registration, locate your voting place and more
How to Help
Educate yourself about the book challenge process in your school district: How it works, who sits on the book challenge committee, how those committee members are appointed.
If there are book bans and protests in your school district, attend local school board meetings and support students, teachers & librarians who are speaking up.
Tell your local public and school librarians they have your support. Write letters. Visit the library. Thank them for standing for intellectual freedom.
Research school board candidates in your district. Vote accordingly.
Consider running for something! Your school board and your state legislature need you! Consider this us telling you seven times! (We’ll phonebank for you!)
Vote to flip your state legislature blue. Rally your friends to join you in a Giving Circle at the States Project.
If you're an author or creator, join Authors Against Book Bans.
Donate to organizations (listed below) that support intellectual freedom and combat book bans.
Organizations to Support (and Volunteer with)
Donate to the Freedom To Read Foundation and become a member. The Freedom To Read Foundation effectively conducts important first amendment legal work regarding book bans and censorship.
GLSEN, Creating a Better World for LGBTQ Students
Intellectual Freedom Endowment Fund at the American Library Association
The National Coalition Against Censorship, providing direct intervention for people and groups facing censorship
The States Project, helping to flip (or keep) state legislatures blue
The Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round
