Check out a “Banned” Book from the Library
Published on September 24, 2024
SAN ANTONIO (September 24, 2024) – In coordination with the American Library Association (ALA), San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is proud to honor the freedom to read during Banned Books Week, through September 28, 2024. This annual event celebrates free and unrestricted access to information. By focusing on efforts nationwide to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.
The ALA’s Office for Intellection Freedom compiles data from reports filed by library professionals and news reports in the United States to track attempts to censor or restrict library materials. SAPL proudly offers free access to all titles featured on the ALA’s list of the top challenged books from 2023, along with many other frequently and historically challenged titles. The full list of 2023’s top Banned Books can be found on the SAPL website, along with the option to check out or place a hold on any book for free with a San Antonio Public Library Card.
Throughout the week, many SAPL locations will feature displays showcasing books that have been challenged or faced censorship attempts. Visitors are encouraged to browse these collections and check out titles that have sparked important discussions about censorship and free speech.
Titles featured during this year’s Banned Books Week include “Gender Queer,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and “Sold” among others. Nationwide in 2023, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship — a 65 percent increase over 2022 numbers — and 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources. Groups focused on public libraries in addition to school libraries. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92 percent over the previous year, accounting for about 46 percent of all book challenges in 2023.
Although books have faced bans throughout history, Banned Books Week celebrates the fact that, in most cases in the United States, these books remain accessible. This is made possible by the dedication of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who defend the freedom to read and advocate for open access to information.
In 2022, the City of San Antonio City Council passed a resolution supporting the Freedom to Read. This resolution expressly states the importance of freedom of expression in accordance with the First Amendment. The full resolution is available to read on the SAPL website.