This week is National Library Week, a celebration of the critical role that libraries and literature play in our everyday lives.
Every day this week is a different celebration of libraries, and April 24th is Right to Read Day.
Right to Read Day calls on readers, advocates and library lovers to fight against literary censorship to defend, protect and celebrate the right to read freely. The American Library Association (ALA) encourages civic action by reporting censorship; writing a letter to an elected leader; attending a meeting of local officials or a library or school board; and staging a public event or peaceful protest in support of libraries.
The easiest way to celebrate Right to Read Day is to check out banned and challenged books. There are 10 major reasons why books are banned according to the Banned Books Week website:
- LGBTQIA+ Content
- Sexually Explicit Content
- Profanity
- Racism
- Violence
- Religious Viewpoints
- Sex Education
- Suicide
- Drug and Alcohol Use
- Nudity
Reading is a foundational skill, critical to future learning and to exercising our democratic freedoms. On Right to Read Day and every other day, exercise your freedom to read with the Yonkers Public Library.
Banned Books
From popular, modern stories to tried and true classics, no book is safe from a possible challenge or ban. You can check out the American Library Association’s Most Challenged Books of 2022 from right here at the Yonkers Public Library.