This week Elizabeth is joined by librarian and frequent contributor, Pamela Hayes-Bohanan who, in anticipation of Banned Books Week, gives us the latest news on attempts to remove books from our libraries. The majority of book censorship attempts now originate from organized movements, pressure groups, and government entities, including elected officials. While concerns about content or appropriate category for shelving used to come from individuals, book bans are now most commonly initiated by activists who may never have seen the book or patronized the library they've targeted.  The titles most frequently targeted for censorship appear on partisan lists. Websites provide a forum for sharing author names, book titles, and tools to demand censorship of more titles in more libraries.  Pam helps us understand what that means for our public, private, K-12 and college libraries.  We also discuss what it means for education and society more broadly.  Pam encourages us to celebrate the right to read.

Podcast notes

The American Library Association sponsors Banned Books Week annually to promote awareness, remind us that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and most of all to celebrate the right to read. More information about Banned Books Week can be found here:  https://www.ala.org/bbooks/banned 

Since our podcast this happened: Texas School Administrators Use A.I. To Ban Books.  Read about it here: https://bookriot.com/leander-sb-13/

A couple of reports from PEN America can be found here:Cover to Cover: An analysis of titles banned in the 23-24 school year
https://pen.org/report/cover-to-cover/

The Blueprint State: Lessons from Parents Left Behind by Parental Rights Policies in Florida
https://pen.org/report/the-blueprint-state/