United Against Book Bans
Letter to Editor:
My thanks to the Community Brief for publishing my letter regarding HR 7661 regarding book banning. I was late in submitting, so it was not published as written. I'm writing to complete my thoughts on this topic.
It's not a surprise that this legislation has come forward. According to the group, “United Against Book Bans” (UABB), which is an American Library Association (ALA) program, from 1/25-3/26, more that 100 pro-censorship bills were introduced in state legislatures. At least 40 bills would penalize libraries and workers with lawsuits, fines or even jail time for protecting people’s right to read. The majority of censorship attempts were started by organized groups, like “Moms for Liberty” (featured in the censorship documentary, “The Librarians”). In 2024, groups and government agencies including elected officials, board (including school board) members and administered initiated 72% of the demands to censor books in school and public libraries. This despite a majority of all voters is 67%-71% oppose book bans; this from UBBA research.
The ALA is one of a broad coalition that believe: *Reading is a fundamental skill critical to learning and to exercising our domestic freedom.
*Books are tools for understanding difficult issues. Limiting young persons does not protect them from life’s complex and challenging issues.
*Individuals should be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read.
*Parents should not be making decisions for other parent’s children.
*Young people deserve to see themselves reflected in a library’s books.
This administration is already on the attack to oppose or defund institutions that are not in line with there’s. They’ve already attacked libraries. museums, educational, scientific and institutions because they welcome diversity and scientific truth of all kinds. If a bill like this passes, it’s a slippery slope of censorship of all kinds. Many in Macomb recently read the novel Fahrenheit 451 where firefighters burned banned books and houses. In human history, many countries have legally restricted what individuals can read; I don’t want to live in one.
And, the US Congress does not have the legal authority to do this because of Amendement 1-“Congress shall make no law prohibiting the freedom of speech.” Period In IL we are protected from book censorship by Public Act 103-0111, (the first law passed in the US)-for now.
If you share these beliefs, please do is contact your elected senators and representatives to ask they not support it and the reasons why you feel this is so important.
Rep. Mary Miller, 202-225-5271, 1740 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, marymiller. house.gov/contact Rep. Eric Sorensen, 1205 Longworth House Office Building, Washingtong DC 20515, [email protected] Before closing, I want to thank the Administration, Board, Library Workers, and volunteers for our wonderful, diverse and welcoming Macomb Public Library. I agree with author, Kirk Vonnegut who described librarians in 2004 “as the true bearers of Democracy, dedicated professionals amid antidemocratic bullying and censorship.' Words could not be truer today.
Sue Marshall Colchester IL
