| By Bonnie Simcock, Senior Manager of Acquisitions, Thorndike Press |
Book banning has been a concern for centuries, but in recent years the politicization of censoring books has skyrocketed book-banning efforts. According to Publishers Weekly, the number of unique titles targeted by book bans increased by 65% from 2022 to 2023 alone. And the number of books targeted for censorship today is tenfold compared to just five years ago—4,240 unique titles were challenged in 2023, compared to 377 in 2019.*
At its core, book banning limits access to the ideas, perspectives, and experiences available to readers. The process of book banning is a threat to the freedom to read as well as to the exploration of diverse viewpoints.
What Books Are Banned?
Book bans disproportionately affect titles that showcase marginalized communities, including books by authors of color and LGBTQ+ authors. In 2023, 47% of all titles targeted for censorship were stories representing the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals.* Removing these books from shelves silences voices that deserve to be heard and limits inclusiveness.
Banned books often tackle sensitive topics, but they also encourage readers to think critically, connect with diverse perspectives, and discuss the value of intellectual freedom. Giving readers the choice to read what they want can foster intellectual growth, empathy, and cultural understanding.
How Librarians Defend Books from Censorship
Librarians are trained to curate collections that cater to the needs and interests of their communities, which includes ensuring access to a diverse range of books. They deserve our trust to choose titles that represent a range of experiences and fulfill a variety of needs, including those that have been unjustly banned.
Today’s librarians are leading historic efforts to defend books from unprecedented rises in censorship. As politicians use book bans to draw the attention of voters and threaten legal liability for shelving banned books, it’s librarians who are on the front lines defending the freedom to read.
If you need support defending books, explore a plethora of resources from Penguin Random House and United Against Book Bans’ Book Résumés.
Champion FREADom in All Shapes and Sizes
Thorndike Press is committed to sharing the joy of reading with as many people as possible. We believe readers should be able to choose not only what they want to read but also how they want to read it. That’s why we publish books in large print to make reading more accessible for everyone—including titles at the top of banned book lists.
With a 16-point font and fewer words per page, large print books help readers turn pages faster and stay engaged while reading. Librarians and educators have embraced large print for a variety of reasons. For young readers, large print is a no-tech literacy solution proven to enhance reading skills. For readers of all ages, large print reduces eyestrain and eliminates the intimidation some readers feel when facing dense text.
Thorndike Press offers a diverse range of large print titles across various genres, from mystery and romance to historical fiction and biography. We’re proud to publish books that amplify the voices of diverse authors and many titles that have been unjustly banned.
Help us give readers the choice to read what they want, how they want. Together, we can maintain access to banned books and offer a more accessible reading experience.
Interested in building your large print collection? Enter for a chance to win $250 worth of large print books from Thorndike Press by October 15, 2024.
Looking for more ways to stand up to book banning? Join United Against Book Bans’ Freedom to Read Day of Action on October 19, 2024. Find resources to participate in a rally, organize an event in your community, promote the freedom to read on social media, and more.
*Segura, Jonathan, “The Freedom to Read Issue: All Our Coverage,” publishersweekly.com, September 16, 2024.
