September 18-24 is Banned Books Week, an annual celebration for the freedom to read. In 2021, the Office for Intellectual Freedom, or the OIF, tracked 729 book challenges. This was more than double the number of reported challenges in 2020, affected 1,597 titles, and was the most challenges in the history of the OIF.
There’s always been some confusion on the difference between a challenged book and a banned book. So, let’s take a look at what they are. Challenges are an attempt to remove or restrict a title for whatever reason. Banning books are removing them from the library completely. Even though a book may be banned or challenged in another state/library doesn’t mean it will be removed from your library. It simply means it was challenged/banned at that location. Challenging and banning books happens all over. In 2022, books have been banned in multiple states including Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
Campbell County Public Library has not banned any books and believes in your intellectual freedom to read what you want. And that’s one of the best ways to celebrate Banned Books Week, read banned books! You can search online for popular banned books; you’d be surprised what’s on there (The Lorax?!?!). You can also ask the librarians at your public or school library for help as well. Meanwhile, here is a list of the most challenged books in 2021.
