book
Featured Local News

Library Launches “Right to Read” Initiative to Raise Awareness of Book Banning

@SpectacularMag

bookCHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Chapel Hill Public Library is taking a stand against book bans and raising awareness of censorship efforts with its new Right to Read initiative. The campaign runs through October and is made possible with support from the Friends of the Library.

Library staff developed the initiative in response to the growing wave of book bans targeting marginalized voices, particularly Black and LGBTQIA+ authors and stories, in public libraries and schools. “The freedom to read is under attack. Libraries across the country and the state face coordinated campaigns to remove books from shelves, dismantle displays, & cancel programs,” said Library Director Susan Brown. “This campaign aims to educate and engage our community about what’s happening and what they can do to voice their concerns,” Brown said the initiative has three parts:

Right to Read Postcard Campaign

The Library has created limited-edition postcards featuring startling statistics about recent book bans in public libraries across the country. We encourage community members to write messages to elected officials, library boards, and school boards, urging them to reject book bans and to send messages of solidarity and support to those targeted by censorship, including librarians, teachers, and authors.

Right to Read Educational Exhibit

Accompanying the postcards is an exhibit that offers a snapshot of book bans happening across the country. It includes information about the most frequently challenged books, statistics about censorship, information about who is challenging books, and ways to get involved to stop book bans.

Right to Read Intellectual Freedom Panel Discussion  

We invite the community to a panel discussion and community conversation on intellectual freedom and the dangers of book bans on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 1 p.m. in Meeting Room B. Attendees can enjoy B3 Coffee and light refreshments, participate in the conversation, and explore the Right to Read postcard exhibit during the event.

The event will feature a diverse panel of experts, including:

  • Joal Broun, Orange-Chatham District Court Judge
  • Renee Sekel, Deputy Director of Red Wine and Blue NC
  • Gretchen Westman, Morris Grove Elementary School Media Specialist
  • Tracy Fitzmaurice, Jackson County Librarian & Fontana Regional Library Director
  • Graig Meyer, North Carolina State Senator

Two panelists are directly involved with book bans in North Carolina. Sekel works with Red, Wine, and Blue’s “Freedom to Parent 21st Century Kids” program and frequently attends Wake County School Board meetings to speak out against book bans. Fitzmaurice leads public libraries in Western NC, where multiple book challenges have taken place.

The Library also encourages everyone to read banned books from its extensive collection, including curated lists of books targeted around North Carolina. The Friends of the Library, who made the exhibit possible, have numerous banned books for sale in their online bookstore as well.

Learn more about the initiative, find book lists, links to resources, addresses of elected officials, and more at chapelhillpubliclibrary.org/right-to-read.

Questions and media inquiries can be directed to Hannah Olson, Library Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at holson@townofchapelhill.org.