The American Library Association released their annual tally for book challenges in 2022 on Thursday.
They reported over 1,200 demands to "censor" library books or resources last year, breaking the 2021 record of 729, and marking the highest number of book challenges since the ALA began recording them more than 20 years ago. Last year, the ALA told us those numbers were "unprecedented."
Librarians where we live say they’ve seen similar spikes in recent years.
This hour, hear from Sam Lee, co-chair of the Connecticut Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee and local librarian Kate Byroade, who recently fielded a very public book reconsideration request.
Plus, the ALA digs into their new findings, and their observation that "lists of books compiled by organized censorship groups contributed significantly to the skyrocketing number of challenges and the frequency with which each title was challenged."
GUESTS:
- Samantha Lee: Chair, Connecticut Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee; Head of Reference Services, Enfield Public Library
- Deborah Caldwell-Stone: Director, American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom
- Kate Byroade: Library Director, Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester; Co-Chair, Connecticut Library Association Legislative Committee
- Sarah Warbelow: Legal Director, Human Rights Campaign
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