Bookstores, libraries and bibliophiles nationwide are celebrating Banned Books Week, which falls on Oct. 1-7.
#ThisIsTucson sat down with the Tucson Tome Gnome, the group of book-loving friends who hide free books around town, to learn more about Banned Books Week and the importance of talking about book bans and censorship.
“As a book-sharing organization, we follow the news on, I would say, generally book censorship and the increasing rates of book censorship happening nationwide,” the Tucson Tome Gnome's Emily Walsh said. “And we became pretty concerned about it. So, we joined Unite Against Book Bans. It's a program of the American Library Association.”
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Last year, the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded “1,269 demands to censor library books and resources,” according to their website. The number is “the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago.”
Over 2,500 book titles were targeted last year, many of which were written “by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community or by and about Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color,” according to the ALA’s website.
Banned Books Week and Unite Against Book Bans go “hand in hand with our mission of wanting people to read about stories from people whom maybe they don't relate with already, to gain empathy and just awareness and understanding of different cultures and people and lifestyles,” said the Tucson Tome Gnome's Mary Ellen Flynn.
Many local bookstores and libraries will have tables and displays set up in honor of Banned Books Week including Mostly Books, where Tucson Tome Gnome Jody Hardy is manager. Plus, the Tucson Tome Gnome is hosting a Banned Book Week giveaway on their Instagram.
“This year, we are going to be focusing more on the teen and YA (young adult) books that have been challenged or censored more recently,” Hardy said.
While there may be a dedicated week to recognizing book bans, challenges and censorship, local readers can check out previously banned books year-round.
“Our core freedom to engage in ideas, literature and discourse is under attack in various parts of the country,” Walsh said. “And I think that's really problematic. It's not to say everyone needs to agree with every idea or perspective, but everyone should have the freedom to access and read about those things and make determinations themselves and engage in dialogue. I think we shortchange ourselves when we cut off the conversations from even happening.”
Here are a few ways you can observe Banned Books Week in Tucson. For more information about Banned Books Week, check out the ALA’s website.
Co-owner Crispin Jeffery-Franco stocks some last-minute arrivals as he helps prepare for the grand opening of the Stacks Book Club, 1880 E. Tangerine Road on July 7, 2023.
Purchase a book from a local bookstore
The most impactful way you can observe Banned Books Week is by purchasing a banned or challenged book from a local bookstore. (Need ideas of books to pick up? The ALA has a list of the “Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022” on their website!)
By picking up a book from a local bookstore, you are directly supporting a local, small business. Plus, purchasing the books also helps the authors who wrote the stories that have come under heavy criticism.
Many local bookstores will have tables and displays of banned or challenged books in honor of the annual event including Mostly Books, Bookmans and Stacks Book Club which will also have staff picks on display.
Samantha Martinez does some summer school work at the W. Anne Gibson-Esmond Station branch of the Pima County Public Library, Vail, Ariz., June 17, 2022.
Check out banned or challenged books from the local library
If you’re unable to purchase a book from a local bookstore, check out a banned or challenged book from the Pima County Public Library.
Our local library system strongly supports “The Freedom to Read” initiative by the ALA.
“Public libraries protect The Freedom to Read for literally every single person in our community,” local library services manager Kate DeMeester-Lane said in a recent blog post. “Sometimes people believe libraries defend the content within our collections, however, public libraries do not defend the content of any item on our shelves or available digitally for download. What we staunchly protect is the right of each community member to select and access materials for themselves as they wish.”
Pima County Public Library currently has 27 locations across the county.
Tucson Tome Gnome; Jody Hardy, Emily Walsh and Mary Ellen Flynn purchase and hide books for teens and adults around the city to bring a sense of a love of reading to the community.
Participate in Tucson Tome Gnome’s book giveaway
Tucson Tome Gnome is hosting a banned and challenged book giveaway on their Instagram page this week.
The gnomes will be giving away three bundles of some of 2022’s top banned and challenged books including “Gender Queer,” “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “The Bluest Eye.”
Check out Tucson Tome Gnome’s Instagram for more details about the giveaway and how to participate.
Join a local book club
While there aren’t any specific banned or challenged book club meetings happening in Tucson next week, there are plenty of clubs to get involved with year-round.
#ThisIsTucson just published a long list of local book clubs including the Banned Book Club at the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center. (Their next banned book club meeting is in November.)
Plus, it’s never too late to start your own banned or challenged book club!
Elvia Verdugo
Community Sports Editor
