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Banned Books Week has been uniting book lovers around the country since 1982 in a weeklong event celebrating our freedom to read. This year's theme is Freed between the Lines, and it is a timely reminder of the transformative power of reading (or watching, or listening), and the ongoing struggle to preserve access to diverse voices, stories, and ideas.

Attempts to censor or limit access to books have skyrocketed. Numerous school and public librarians face harassment and even criminalization. In 2023, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported challenges to more than 4,240 book titles. This shattered the record set in 2022 by 65 percent, when 2,571 titles were challenged. Of the titles targeted, nearly half represented "the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals."

On January 1, Illinois became the first state to tie public library funding to policies that protect the freedom to read and help protect institutions against growing censorship efforts. The Library Systems Act draws heavily from the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights. This important document has long been a core guiding principle for many libraries that want to protect the freedom to read. Skokie Public Library is one of those libraries.

We offer diverse resources and experiences that spark discovery, sustain lifelong learning, and inspire connection. Our collection reflects a wide range of ideas, and we trust our patrons to navigate opinions or views that might differ from their own. After all, books that upset or offend some might inspire others. We believe that our collection plays a crucial role in protecting our freedoms and encouraging new ideas.

You can stop by our table on the library's first floor from Monday, September 23 through Thursday, September 26, as well as visit the bookmobile on Wednesday, September 25. There, you can discuss the importance of the freedom to read with staff, see examples of frequently challenged items, and pick up a small giveaway. Please stop by and most important, happy reading!