Freed Between the Lines
Sonoma County Library observes Banned Books Week every year. First established in the 1980s, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and highlights resistance to book censorship in schools and public libraries. The censorship of books by librarians or community members violates the first amendment protection of free speech and conflicts with the American Library Association Code of Ethics. Thanks to vigilant library workers, teachers, parents, students, and free speech champions, attempted book bans often fail.
The desire to protect others from inappropriate or challenging ideas, frequently the children of concerned parents, is commonly cited as the reason for a book challenge. The removal of a book isn’t an expression of protection but an attack on other people’s freedom of information. Surveys suggest that most book challenges aren’t reported and often go unnoticed by the news media. Most book challenges occur in public libraries and happen in school classrooms, school libraries, and academia. You can help promote intellectual freedom by reading banned and challenged books and reporting censorship attempts to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.
On July 10, 2024, the Sonoma County Library Commission passed a resolution declaring the Sonoma County Library as a Book Sanctuary. This resolution reaffirms the library’s support of intellectual freedom and opposition to book bans in any form. A Book Sanctuary is a physical or digital space that actively protects the freedom to read and is a commitment to collecting and protecting endangered books, making these books broadly accessible, and educating the community on the history of book banning and burning. Join us in celebrating the freedom to read!
Additional Resources
Check out the below resources for more information on intellectual freedom, Banned Books Week, and censorship.
Book Event with Librarian Amanda Jones
Friday, October 11, 2024
6:30-8:00 pm
Rincon Valley Regional Library and Livestream
Copperfield’s Books and Sonoma County Library proudly present an evening with Amanda Jones.
Part memoir, part manifesto, That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America is the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of our vicious culture wars.
Register here: thatlibrariansocolibrary.eventbrite.com
