I was recently asked by a TBTP follower from Europe if the issue of book banning in the United States was being overhyped in the press. Sadly, if anything the scourge of book bans, and even book burnings, is not getting enough attention. It’s chilling to find that in the 21st century Christo-Fascist suppression of books in schools and libraries is spreading throughout the U.S.. Fortunately there is push back from anti-censorship advocates, parents, teachers, and libraries.

In the U.S., public libraries have long been advocates for a free press and the freedom to read.  In 1982,  Banned Books Week, was launched to bring attention to books that were targeted for removal from schools and libraries. The American Library Association, which pioneered Banned Books Week, has reported a record amount of books banned in recent years—many of which center people of color and LGBTQ+ voices.

In New York City, the NYPL has developed a book list for all ages, selected by  expert librarians, to spotlight titles both past and present that are targets of bans and challenges. Check out their website for the list and more information on fighting book bans.

The American Booksellers Association is offering the ABA Right to Read Toolkit: How Booksellers and Readers Can Resist Book Bans, which is full of how-to advice, resources, and case studies to help booksellers (and others) deal with challenges in their day-to-day work. The kit is designed to be easily navigated, so users can read it in full or skip to the sections they need.

In a kind of magazine format, the 56-page ToolKit features profiles and commentary by a range of booksellers and others–including Mitchell Kaplan of Books & Books in southern Florida, Ramunda Young, co-owner of MahoganyBooks, Washington, D.C., and National Harbor, Md., former Rep. Steve Israel, owner of Theodore’s Books, Oyster Bay, N.Y.–about dealing with various aspects of book bannings, censorship, and in-store “book challenges.” Included are a sample of an op-ed that could be sent to local media, suggestions on how to contact government officials, attend a school board meeting, and hold a secure event, a chart about what ABA is doing to fight book bannings, and more.