The San Diego Public Library will again mark Banned Books Week with several events intended to fight against censorship of literature.
The national event is in its 43rd year, and the theme is "Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights." The week culminates on Oct. 11, Let Freedom Read Day.
According to the American Library Association, 2024 saw 821 attempts to censor library materials and services, with 2,452 unique titles challenged. While these numbers are lower than 2023, they continue to exceed those prior to 2020. This year, ALA has named award-winning actor and civil rights activist George Takei as honorary chair of Banned Books Week.
"Intellectual freedom and the free flow of information and ideas are the cornerstones of an informed and engaged public," said Public Library Director Misty Jones. "Censorship efforts — including attempts to restrict access to library materials — run counter to the mission of the San Diego Public Library."
Featured events include Pride Storytime featuring Lil Miss Hot Mess at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Denny Sanford Children's Library, 330 Park Blvd., and Banned Book Trivia at Little Italy's Ballast Point Brewing at 6 p.m. on Thursday, 2215 India St.
During the week, the library will also host storytimes featuring banned books, a Freedom to Read author event, banned books bingo and screenings of films based on books that have been challenged, a statement from the SDPL read. For more information on Banned Books Week and SDPL programs, visit www.sandiego.gov/bannedbooksweek.
In partnership with San Diego Library Foundation, SDPL is also a participating library in the Books Unbanned program, which allows anyone ages 12 to 26 living in the United States free access to SDPL's online collection of banned or restricted eBooks and eAudiobooks.
