American librarians, authors, and publishers formed an alliance against the wave of book bans in the United States.
The American Library Association, the American Teachers’ Association, and more than a dozen other organizations have taken action under the name “Unite Against Book Banning.” Renowned publishers such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, Guild of Authors, and the National Coalition Against Censored have joined this initiative.
They will assist communities in drafting petitions, compiling questionnaires for political candidates, and designing graphics for community websites.
Deborah Caldwell Stone, chair of the Association of Librarians’ Office of Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement:
“This is a dangerous time for readers and public officials who have access to what they need to read. Readers, especially students, do not have access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their work. It is time for policy makers to understand the severity of the problem.”
The Association of Librarians said last month that it’s about 2021. There have been 1,600 attempts to ban books, the highest number since records for bans began 20 years ago.
Illustration: Unsplash
“Our partners and supporters have a key role in ending the book ban. In the campaign, more and more supporters will work to prevent the ban, give everyone access to information, and stand up to the important work of libraries and librarians,” Caldwell Stone wrote.
The list of American Library Association books recently banned or heavily criticized in the United States includes seven volumes of the Harry Potter series and the world-famous Harper Lee novel, Do not hurt the blackbird! I also got a seat. (MTI)
