Welcome!
Organizations
- ALA: Banned Books "When we ban books, we're closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives. But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen. Let freedom read! Raise awareness about frequently challenged books and the freedom to read with the below graphics and activities."
- Unite Against Book Bans "A small but vocal group is driving the current flood of book bans in school and public libraries across the country. It's important to counter those voices by uniting in support of the freedom to read in your local community. How can you and your community unite against book bans? We've put together this action toolkit to help you get started."
Top Ten Banned Books 0f 2023
Gender Queer: a Memoir Deluxe Edition
#1: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
All Boys Aren't Blue
#2: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
This Book Is Gay
#3: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
#4: Challenged for claims to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, rape, drugs, profanity
Flamer
#5: Challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
The Bluest Eye
#6: Challenged for rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) content
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
#7/8. (tie): Challenged for claims to be sexually explicit, profanity
Tricks
#7/8. (tie): Challenged for claims to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQIA+ content
Let's Talk about It
#9: Challenged for claims to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQIA+ content
Sold
#10: Challenged for claims to be sexually explicit, rape
Quiz
Articles
- Banned Books Week Q&A
- ALA Banned Book Report
- 50 Years of Intellectual Freedom
- Beyond banned books: defending intellectual freedom throughout your library
- Report Censorship: Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)
- The Freedom to Read Statement
- Book Bans are Newsworthy... But They’re Not New
- CENSORSHIP AND SILENCE: How book bans and removals threaten diverse stories and voices.
- CAN DIVERSE BOOKS SAVE US?
- Challenges to Children's Picture Books with LGBTQ Themes: A 30-Year Review
Librarian
Utica University
1600 Burrstone Road
Utica, NY 13502-4892
(315) 792-3351
jcwinn@utica.edu
Librarian
Welcome!
Participate in a Library Event in September!
Banned Books Week's theme in 2024 is "Freed Between the Lines."
To see more Banned Books click HERE for ALA's List
Or HERE for the Library Catalog.
Banned Books: Challenging Our Freedom to Read by
This guide provides a framework for understanding censorship and the protections guaranteed to us through the First Amendment. Interpretations of the uniquely American notion of freedom of expression and our freedom to read what we choose are supplemented by straightforward, easily accessible information that will inspire further exploration.
Famous Quotes:
- “Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.” Laurie Halse Anderson
- "He who destroys a good book kills reason itself." Milton
- “Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won't have as much censorship because we won't have as much fear.” Judy Blume
- "Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself." Potter Stewart
- "The books that the world calls immoral are the books that show the world its own shame." Oscar Wilde
- "The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack.” American Library Association
Queer Politics and Censorship
Most of the top ten banned and challenged books of 2023 deal with LGBTQ+ themes (see the box on the left). One student in Prof. Dan Tagliarina's Queer Politics class (Fall 2024) has created this Resource Guide featuring links to organizations focused on LGBTQ+ support and advocacy.
Books Through ILL
Looking for a book that we don't own?
No Worries! You can request the book through Interlibrary Loan and we will find the book for you!
What is Interlibrary Loan (ILL)?
It is a free service that is offered by the Utica University Library that provides books and articles that are not available at our library and may be requested to be loaned from other libraries.
Click HERE to get some help requesting a book.
Videos
Resources
