Long Beach will recognize National Banned Books Week – a week that highlights the dangers of censorship and promotes the freedom to read — beginning Sunday, Sept. 22.
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution to recognize the week during its Tuesday, Sept. 17, meeting. The resolution is a symbol of Long Beach’s commitment to the exchange of ideas, the right to access information, and the nurturing of an informed population, according to a staff report.
National Banned Books Week was created in 1982 by the American Library Association in response to a sudden surge of challenges brought against books in libraries, book stores and schools. This weeklong event is observed annually during the last week of September.
“Though this recognition started over 40 years ago, it is truly just as relevant today, if not more so,” said Councilmember Megan Kerr, who brought the item to the council. “Library staff across the nation are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books.”
The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented more than 4,200 unique book titles targeted for censorship, as well as more than 1,200 demands to censor library books, materials and resources in 2023. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023, according to the OIF.
“In Long Beach, we take pride in being a welcoming, accepting place for people of all backgrounds, cultures, sexualities and lifestyles,” Kerr said. “Participating in National Banned Books Week reaffirms to the rest of the country that we stand for acceptance, diversity and free exchange of ideas.”
Some of the most challenged books of 2023 included “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe; “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson; “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky; and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, among others.
“Reading takes us places outside of ourselves,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “That is why whenever there are efforts to limit books or knowledge, we must always ask why. Oftentimes these efforts are an attempt to erase something – our history, our voices – especially the voices of those most marginalized, to challenge the status quo. Long Beach does not stand for that.”
Along with recognizing Banned Books Week this year, the council’s proclamation will also align with the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library’s yearly designation.
Part of the local nonprofit’s mission is to preserve the public library as a place of intellectual freedom and to guard against censorship, according to its website.
“The Friends are still actively spreading word against censorship, to educate our neighbors and share the message that any kind of censorship is wrong,” Barbara Sosa, president of the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library, said during the meeting. “Even in Long Beach, that threat can be simmering just below the surface.”
The nonprofit will host events throughout next week in an effort to inform the community of the current state of censorship at schools and public libraries.
The theme for 2024 in Long Beach is “Free to Read, Free to Think,” which highlights the freedom to read and encourages open discussion on controversial and challenging topics. This theme follows the national theme of Banned Books Week, “Freed between the Lines.”
This year’s Friends of the Long Beach Public Library events for Banned Books Week will take place on the following dates and at these locations:
- From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at Second Street in front of Chase Bank, 5200 Second St.
- From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Fourth Fridays on Fourth Street in front of The Center, 2017 E. Fourth St.
- From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Billie Jean King Library, 200 W. Broadway.
- From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at First Fridays on Atlantic Avenue in front of the Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave.
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