According to the latest data from PEN America, there were more than 10,000 instances of book bans during the 2023-24 school year, nearly triple the amount from the previous year.
Just five years ago, the need for such action would have been unimaginable. But today, vitriolic attacks on both books and librarians who serve the public are regular occurrences in school board meetings and city council hearings.
Book banning is an attempt to silence voices and erase entire groups of people. By deeming characters of color and discussions of racism uncomfortable and by labeling queer characters and relationships obscene, these acts of censorship send an alarming message to young people.
All three library systems in New York City—Brooklyn, Queens, and New York—will be among the ranks along with ALA, United Against Book Bans, standing together with our communities against censorship.
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