Tag: Banned Books Week.

Banned Books Week 2024

  By ,

NEWS RELEASE 
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

 

Banned Books Week Shines Spotlight on Threats to First Amendment
Judith’s Reading Room Works to Defend Each Person’s Right to Read

September 20, 2024 — The American Library Association will highlight the dramatic increase in threats against First Amendment rights during its annual Banned Books Week  celebration this year, scheduled for September 22-28, 2024.  

Judith’s Reading Room, a global literacy nonprofit founded in 2010 in the memory of Judith F. Krug, a distinguished librarian, supports the right to read and freedom through literacy.  Judith F. Krug, cousin to the founders of Judith’s Reading Room, served as the ALA’s Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom for 40 years and in that capacity, she founded Banned Books Week in 1982.

The American Library Association condemns censorship and works to defend each person’s right to read under the First Amendment and to ensure free access to information.  According to the ALA, the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year.  

The Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 were:

  1. Gender Queer:  A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.  Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content
  2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson. Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content
  3. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson.  Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content
  4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  Challenged for sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content
  5. Flamer by Mike Curato.  Challenged for LGBTIA+ content
  6. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.  Challenged for rape, incest, sexually explicit

7/8. (Tie) Me and Earl & The Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews.  Challenged for sexually explicit and profanity

7/8. (Tie) Tricks by Ellen Hopkins.  Challenged for sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content

9.  Let’s Talk About It:  The Teen’s Guide to Sex by Erika Moen & Matthew Nolan.  Challenged for sexually explicit, sex education

10.  Sold by Patricia McCormick.  Challenged for sexually explicit and rape.

The public is reminded to stand up against bullies who want to tell you what to read.  In 1982 Judith Krug staunchly defended everyone’s right to read and said, “no one has the right to tell us what we can or cannot read.”  Please support everyone’s freedom to read under the protection of the First Amendment , visit your local library and thank your librarian and library workers who confront people attempting to remove materials from libraries.

Judith’s Reading Room, a 501 (c) 3, established in 2010, has dedicated 107 libraries in 24 countries with over 133,000 donated books valued at more than $1.4 million.  The organization recognizes individual champions of literacy through its ‘Freedom Through Literacy’ Award that has distributed $58,100 to 71 individuals in 18 countries.

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Banned Books Week at Harkins House

  By ,

NEWS RELEASE 
CONTACT:  Cathy Leiber

Judith’s Reading Room Celebrates Banned Books Week
Harkins House Receives Collection of YA Books 

22 September 2023 — Hillsboro, Oregon —In recognition of Banned Books Week, the global literacy nonprofit organization Judith’s Reading Room hosted a special event at Washington County’s Harkins House with a donation of mostly banned or challenged YA fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels.   The organization established a library at the residential home in May 2012.

Judith F. Krug, a prominent First Amendment and library activist, in whose memory Judith’s Reading Room was founded in 2010, fervently believed that no one should tell another person what they can or cannot read.  Judy is credited with creating Banned Books Week in 1982 in her capacity as Director, Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association in Chicago, Illinois .  

Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools.  It is notable that 2022 marked the year when demands to censor library resources was the highest since the ALA began compiling data about censorship more than 20 years ago.

Scott Leiber, co-founder, Judith’s Reading Room and first cousin to Judy will make brief remarks to the residents and staff at Harkins House about Judy’s lifetime commitment to the First Amendment.  For over 40 years, Judy led the American Library Association’s prestigious Office for Intellectual Freedom.  In that capacity, she defended librarians, teachers, authors and book publishers who came under attack for offering books that someone objected to. 

To honor the spirit of Banned Books Week, Judith’s Reading Room purchased many of the top challenged books to donate to Harkins House including:  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie, Lawn Boy by Evison, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Chbosky and Looking for Alaska by Green.

“These books are intended to provide fun for youth impacted by the Juvenile Justice System residing at Harkins House,” said Cathy L. Leiber, President, Judith’s Reading Room.  “Research shows that reading for pleasure can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being,” she added.

Today’s donation brings to a total 631 books donated since 2012 to Harkins House at a value of $7,874.  This demonstrates the organization’s on going commitment to support the education and mental health of young people by providing them books that can help navigate difficult times and build resilience.

The mission of Judith’s Reading Room is to enrich lives and societies by proactively encouraging freedom through literacy.  Its signature event, the annual Freedom Through Literacy Award honors teachers, authors, and librarians who have done exemplary work to instill in others a love of reading.  To date the organization has dedicated 105 libraries in 23 countries, serving tens of thousands of children and adults with more than 132,000 books donated worth $1.4 million.

To apply for the 2024 Freedom Through Literacy Award, visit the organization’s website on October 5, 2023 at www.judithsreadingroom.org.  The deadline for applications is February 5, 2024.


 

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