Weber County Library's 2023 Banned Book Display
This display was a set of two banners. The first highlighted statistical data on from the American Library Association about the previous years banned or challenged books. The Second was a summary of various moments of censorship in the 20th century. The two banners meant to reflect the parallel of these historical moral panics, with the rise of contemporary censorship and similar moral panics surrounding books, and access to knowledge.
Bottom Illustration: Jane Mount, from "Books Behind Bars" www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience
"To Kill a Mockingbird," was centered as a visual motif. Imagery of the mockingbird taking flight, was used to play off of its metaphor of innocence and subvert the symbolism of the title itself. Here the Mockingbird escapes the fate of those wishing to harm it, in this case, those who would attempt to ban the book. The branch is also used as a visual metaphor, representing an invitation to discuss book bans and the importance of fighting censorship using radical civility, a guiding mantra for the Weber County Library.
The Imagery of the birds taking flight also ties into the 2023 Theme "Let Freedom Read" chosen by the American Library Association.
Constructed Display
Additional Materials
This year also marked the 70th Anniversary of the Freedom to Read Statement Adopted June 25, 1953 by the American Library Association. Copies of the reissued statement were also made available for library patrons to take, as part of the display.
2018, 2022, & 2023 Banned Book Bookmarks side by side comparison for the numbers.
Passive Activity at Youth Library Desk
Social Media
Top Four Most Banned and Challenged books of 2022
Social Media Text: At the Weber County Library we believe in the freedom to read and explore diverse perspectives. That's why we're excited to kick off the start of Banned Books Week, a time to celebrate the right to access information and ideas.
We encourage you to discuss with others why everyone should be allowed to choose for themselves and their families what they read. Use the hashtag #bannedbooksweek to declare your right to read!
