According to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for censorship in 2023, a 92% increase from 2022. Novels from influential authors such as Toni Morrison, Harper Lee, and Mark Twain are being challenged, pulled from shelves, and removed from curriculum, across the country. Stories that feature diverse narratives and characters are facing particular pushback. To protect endangered stories and raise awareness about book banning, People’s Light is proud to be a Book Sanctuary! Book Sanctuaries are organizations or individuals committed to educating their communities about the history of book banning, as well as collecting and protecting endangered books. To learn more about Book Sanctuaries, visit booksanctuary.org.
Book Sanctuaries commit to doing at least one of the following:
- collecting and protecting endangered books
- making those books broadly accessible
- hosting book talks and events, including sparking conversations about diverse characters and stories
- educating others on the history of book banning and burning
Past featured books include:
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Surrounding the run of Hurricane Diane, we partnered with several Chester County libraries to encourage the reading of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, an award-winning book experiencing challenges and removals across the country.
