The Freedom to Read is a right, but books are still being banned throughout the country. And the numbers are up, "In a time of intense political polarization, library staff in every state are facing an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom ALA documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago." from The American Library Association. There were so many challenges this year that ALA included 13 picks for their top 10: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
The Barrett Branch Library is partnering with Elaine's Restaurant at 208 Queen Street to host a banned books read-out. You can register to read aloud a 3-5 minute segment from a favorite banned book or just come to listen. Books that have been banned include titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Bluest Eye, The Kite Runner and the Harry Potter Series. To see a list of banned books by the decades visit the ALA website The top 10 Most Challenged Books by Decade. Elaine's is owned by local authors Cynthia and Jeffrey James Higgins. Please email Athena Williams at awilliams@alexlibraryva.org if you have any questions.
Check Elaine's website for other author events. This event is planned for the second floor, if you cannot take stairs please email awilliams@alexlibraryva.org
