Why would anyone ban a book? This question was asked in the most innocent voice of truly mystified youth when they saw the display on banned books this month at the library. Out of the mouth of babes. Unfortunately, the last few years have produced more challenges to the freedom to read than any time in the recent past. Fortunately for us here in Ignacio, this has been mostly a non-issue.
Banned Books week was October 5th to the 11th this year, an annual event that highlights the value of free and open access to information. The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom documented a 65% increase in the number of book challenges, reaching the highest levels ever documented by the OIF in the last 20 years.
Books are challenged for a variety of reasons, including content, religious viewpoint, race, LGBTQIA+ content, political viewpoint, police brutality, the history of slavery in the U.S., and drug and alcohol use. Book banning is a form of censorship that occurs when books are removed from libraries, school reading lists, or bookstore shelves. The debate over book banning reflects broader societal discussions about education, parental rights, and the role of literature in shaping young minds.
Happily, we live in Colorado, which is not only rich in natural beauty but also in residents who value their freedom. Just this year, the Colorado legislature signed SB24-049 into law which, among other things, restricts book challenges to people who live in the area where the challenge is made. This keeps national organizations from targeting communities in which they have no investment. This in turn should reduce the number of challenges and save our precious state funds for more positive actions. Just one attempt to remove a book from a school district took over 600 hours of staff time costing the district over $30,000. This is an outrageous amount of money that could be put to far better use.
Realistically, in this day and age, it is very difficult to keep someone from reading what they want anyway. Websites such as The Banned Book Club provide open access through a variety of digital devices. This free service from the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is just one choice among many, including Google Books and the Internet Archive. Also, many booksellers have used copies of these books at economical prices.
The basic tenet of individual freedom is that no one has the inherent authority to dictate another person’s actions or choices so long as they remain within the boundaries of the law and respect others’ rights. As for the youth in our community, it is their parents, and only their parents, who have the right and responsibility to decide what their children can view. But I am preaching to the choir here in Ignacio. Although ICL has had a few patrons voice concerns, no one has officially challenged any material at the library. Usually, a one-on-one conversation with the Director alleviates any anxiety. Obviously, our small and diverse community has a deep respect for individual freedom.