Last month, the American Library Association released data about attempts to censor books and other materials in public, school, and academic libraries in the first eight months of 2024. The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom added up more than 400 attempts of censorship and challenges to 1,128 unique titles.

“As these preliminary numbers show, we must continue to stand up for libraries and challenge censorship wherever it occurs,” says ALA president Cindy Hohl, who’s also the director of policy analysis at the Kansas City Public Library.

“We know library professionals throughout the country are committed to preserving our freedom to choose what we read and what our children read, even though many librarians face criticism and threats to their livelihood and safety,” Hohl says. “We urge everyone to join librarians in defending the freedom to read. We know people don’t like being told what they are allowed to read, and we’ve seen communities come together to fight back and protect their libraries and schools from the censors.”

Frustrated with book-banning attempts?

On Saturday, October 19, the Freedom to Read Day of Action, libraries, bookstores, and other partners nationwide are hosting rallies and community events to unite against book bans and demonstrate a shared commitment to this fundamental freedom.

The ALA created the initiative in response to the uptick in book censorship and banning since 2020.

During Banned Books Week this year, the Library hosted two notable authors: Amanda Jones, a librarian who spoke out about censorship and was vilified for it, and the iconic poet and novelist Margaret Atwood.

“But, you know, you ban a book, and it has a way of going underground,” Atwood told KCUR’s Up to Date. “So sure, it gets kicked out of schools and libraries, but that does not stop people from reading it if they go in search of it.”

The Library is encouraging area citizens to act on October 19 and throughout the year.

Here’s how:

• Register to vote. (Deadlines: October 9 in Missouri, October 15 in Kansas)
• Write a letter to legislators. (in Missouri and in Kansas)
• Check out (and read!) a banned book.
• Report censorship.