Expanding access to books is at the heart of our mission. The rise of book bans in America goes against our organization’s core values — especially when the bans overwhelmingly target BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors. When these perspectives are erased through book bans, our world becomes a less informed and less inclusive place. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracks the most challenged books each year, and the overall list keeps getting longer.
What We’re Doing
We’re proud to work alongside Little Free Library stewards, as well as partners like the Banned Books Week Coalition, Unite Against Book Bans, the Right to Read Working Group, PEN America, the American Library Association, and Authors Against Book Bans to get banned and challenged books into readers’ hands. Learn how we’re working to protect the freedom to read here.
How You Can Get Involved
Are you ready to stand with the banned? There are many ways you can take action:
- Celebrate Banned Books Week which is typically held at the end of September or beginning of October every year.
- Share banned and challenged books in a Little Free Library near you. Find the areas heaviest hit by book bans using our book ban map. Then, share a book from our Bookshop.org Banned and Challenged Books list in little libraries in those areas.
- Show your support with a “This Little Free Library Shares Banned Books” sign, window cling, or downloadable library window sign. You can also download this “I share banned books” graphic to share on social media.
- Download the LFL mobile app. If you are a steward who shares banned books, turn on the Banned Books tag for your library. If you are a patron, filter your search by the Banned Books tag to find book-sharing boxes near you that support this issue.
- Stay informed by following coverage from the American Library Association and add your name to their Unite Against Book Bans pledge.
- Donate to Little Free Library to help make all books — including banned books — accessible to everyone!
As book challenges and censorship continue to rise,
LFL Executive Director Daniel Gumnit
protecting free expression and upholding our First Amendment rights have never been more urgent. Access to books ensures that everyone has the opportunity to explore new ideas, expand their knowledge, and more deeply understand the world around them.
Resources
What is a book ban? (PEN America)
What’s the difference between a challenge and a ban? (ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom)
How do I report a book ban in my area? (ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom; see also National Coalition Against Censorship and PEN America)
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 (ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom)
Index of School Book Bans (PEN America)
Guide to Attending Library and School Board Meetings (Unite Against Book Bans)
Additional information: American Library Association, PEN America, Read Banned Books from Penguin Random House, and Books Belong from Simon & Schuster