According to a recent report by PEN America, over 10,000 books faced bans in public schools throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Data from the American Library Association reveals that while there has been a decline in bans during the first eight months of 2024, the figures still surpass those from 2020 when bans began to rise sharply.

The act of banning books, which the ALA defines as limiting access to materials by removing them either temporarily or permanently, has ignited passionate discussions in courts, schools, libraries, and homes across the nation.

This issue has inspired significant advocacy efforts. One notable initiative is “Banned Books Week,” and librarians in “book sanctuaries” are rallying in support of school libraries facing various challenges and bans from both political figures and concerned parents.

Libraries Create ‘Book Sanctuaries’ to Uphold Reading Freedom

While protests—such as rallies, literacy events, and even lawsuits—play a crucial role in the battle against book bans, some libraries are taking quieter yet effective actions.

In 2022, the Chicago Public Library identified itself as a book sanctuary, defined as “a physical or digital space that actively safeguards the freedom to read.” These sanctuaries can be found in various venues like classrooms, libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, and even individual collections. They aim to gather banned or challenged books and ensure they are easily accessible to readers.

Chicago has a long-standing commitment to combatting book bans, being the first public library in the United States to adopt an intellectual freedom statement as early as 1936, prior to the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights. The library even hosted the ALA during its inception, as noted by commissioner Chris Brown.

“As the number of book challenges increased, we realized it was vital to reflect on our history and core values, reminding everyone what we stand for,” shares Brown.

This initiative quickly gained momentum. Libraries nationwide started reaching out to Chicago for guidance, and now, there are over 4,000 book sanctuaries across the United States.

The Hoboken Public Library became New Jersey’s first book sanctuary in 2023 after hosting a readathon featuring banned books. This event led to social media backlash, mainly from outside the local area. Declaring itself a book sanctuary was a means to “amplify the majority voice,” according to library director Jennie Pu, who reported significant community support. The entire city later adopted the title of Book Sanctuary City.

“This declaration sends a clear message: we do not censor or ban books. On the contrary, we actively collect stories that are being banned,” Pu states.

Research indicates that most Americans are against book bans. An ALA survey of nearly 1,500 voters and public school parents revealed that 71% disapproved of removing books from public libraries, encompassing a majority from all political affiliations. A 2023 NPR poll yielded similar findings across party lines.

Wide Community Support for Book Sanctuaries

In Kentucky, the Paris-Bourbon County Library proclaimed itself a “First Amendment library” following a family’s challenge to 102 books in a brief period, most of which addressed the experiences of marginalized communities. Director Mark Adler noted that removing these titles would contradict his beliefs.

During a board meeting, he decided to gauge the community’s feelings: if they favored the removal, he would resign; if they stood against it, he would “stay and advocate for them.”

Those supporting the retention of books significantly outnumbered those in favor of removal.

“Our supporters came from various political backgrounds, with representatives from both major parties on the board, all expressing strong support. They believe that no one has the right to dictate what another person can read, especially not what someone else’s children should read,” Adler shared.

Recent laws in the United States have enabled the removal and objection of titles in school libraries regarding sexual content, even if such content is not pornographic. Some have exploited this provision to challenge books that mention sexual violence or feature LGBTQ+ individuals or relationships.

As reported by the American Library Association, 47% of the 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023 were written by or about LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color.

“Our collections must represent diverse perspectives and reflect the society we inhabit. This means we cannot solely represent one viewpoint,” stresses Pu. “Book sanctuaries offer a fundamental level of protection, enabling librarians to effectively curate a thoughtful and diverse collection of all voices.”

Even in Texas, which ranks second in the number of book bans, the Harris County Public Library system received overwhelming support after declaring itself a book sanctuary.

As nearby schools removed books from their shelves, director Edward Melton felt it was essential to provide students with access to information beyond the classroom setting. Although being a book sanctuary does not offer legal safeguards, it allows staff to perform their duties without fearing retaliation. Additionally, it reassures them that the local governing body, the Commissioner’s Court, supports their right to provide varied resources.

According to Melton, the situation regarding book access in Harris County has been manageable.

“We initially feared we were stepping into perilous territory, but that has not been the case,” he shared.

After passing a resolution last year, Harris County has fully committed to combating book censorship. The county has even commissioned a mural in the downtown area to protest against book bans and is organizing concerts and discussions during Banned Books Week.

Chicago has also witnessed a similar wave of support. A year following the public library’s declaration as a book sanctuary, Governor J.B. Pritzker enacted a law that made Illinois the first state to prohibit book bans.

‘A fundamental right people really embrace’

Melton notes that much of the debate surrounding book bans gets overly complicated with wording. He tackled the issue by simplifying it. When he talks about “intellectual freedom” and “censorship,” people begin to understand the real implications.

This is similar to why Adler and the Paris-Bourbon County Library chose to refer to themselves as a “First Amendment Library.”

“Regardless of your background or reading interests,” Adler states, “If you are curious or eager to learn about something, it’s my duty as a librarian to assist you in finding your resources.”

Before declaring a library a book sanctuary, Melton suggests librarians have a meaningful discussion with local authorities to rise above the politically charged dialogue they might encounter.

“No one wants censorship in America. Everyone believes in the right to intellectual freedom when it comes to what they read and the information they take in,” Melton emphasizes. “This is a fundamental right cherished by many. When discussions turn to limiting someone’s intellectual freedom, that’s when the community reacts strongly.”

Although libraries are at the forefront of this movement, Brown points out that anyone can contribute. Influencers might create videos about banned books, while cafes and bookstores can feature frequently challenged titles.

“The more voices we have highlighting this issue, even from those outside the field, the more we communicate that it is a significant concern affecting many people,” Brown concludes.