Attempts to ban books from all types of libraries continue to rise at an unprecedented level across the country. The American Library Association reported attempts to censor 4,249 unique titles of library books and resources in 2023. This is the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago and a 65% increase over 2022.

At our June 30, 2024 AEU All-Societies Sunday Platform, we learned how concerned people can support the Freedom to Read along with the many partners of the Unite Against Book Bans campaign led by the ALA.

About Christopher Harris

Dr. Christopher Harris is the Director of a School Library System in Western New York and a Senior Policy Fellow with the American Library Association. He was a participant in the first American Library Association Emerging Leaders program in 2007 and was honored as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2008. His policy work with the ALA has included equity of access to ebooks, coding for youth, and most recently the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. Dr. Harris is an author, speaker, gamer, and member of his local public library board of trustees.

Read two opinion pieces by Dr. Harris:

Censorship and the case for institutional literacy
Support your local librarians by rejecting book bans