Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Recognizes Freedom to Read 2024

The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library is proud to recognize Freedom to Read 2024, a critical, annual movement to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom – and draw attention to the growing threat of book bans and censorship. This year’s Freedom to Read initiative runs from September 22-28, and we invite the community to join in activities and discussions that underscore the critical importance of free and open access to information.

“Books are the windows into diverse worlds, and everyone should have the right to choose which worlds to explore,” said John Spears, director of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System.

Recent data from the American Library Association (ALA) shows an alarming rise in book challenges and bans across the United States. In 2023 alone, there were over 1,300 reported attempts to remove or restrict access to various books, marking a significant increase from previous years. Many of these challenges targeted books that explore themes of race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities, among others