A recent report from the nonprofit PEN America found a 28% increase in book bans enacted across the country in the first half of the 2022- 23 school year, compared to the previous six months.
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Public Library and Library Foundation SD Thursday joined Books Unbanned, an effort to resist book bans by making challenged titles available to young readers across the U.S.
"Libraries are the great equalizers. Anyone can visit a library to learn something new and expand their understanding of the world beyond their own experiences," said Misty Jones, San Diego Public Library director."The library must be where diverse materials representing our communities are available and where all ideas can be presented and discussed. Book bans and challenges threaten our freedom to read and the library's role as an open and welcoming space.
"Intellectual freedom is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and we have to protect it," said Library Foundation SD CEO Patrick Stewart."We are incredibly grateful for our strong community of readers, and for all the generous library supporters who make this campaign possible." "The books lining our library and school shelves must reflect the beautiful diversity that exists in our communities," said Ady Huertas, the San Diego Library's youth, family and equity program manager."Removing books that offer different perspectives and shared histories only shields young readers and denies them the opportunity to learn from humanity's prior mistakes and avoid repeating them.
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