According to the American Library Association (ALA), 2,452 unique book titles were targeted for censorship in 2024. Documented attempts to censor books in recent years have increased dramatically since 2020, impacting both public libraries and school libraries.

At the Brookline Public Library, a postcard campaign during Banned Books Week, which lasted from Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, offered students a way to respond to book censorship by encouraging them to write to authors of challenged books. The campaign highlights what happens to books when access is restricted and how that affects education. Librarians at both public and school libraries in Brookline view such initiatives as an opportunity to encourage critical thinking about censorship, reading access and the broader social contexts behind the challenges.

Community events promote awareness

During the Brookline Public Library’s Dear Banned Author postcard campaign, the librarians provided postcards to write on, lists of banned authors to write to and sharpies to write letters with. After collecting postcards from a wide range of ages, the cards were mailed off to the banned authors.

The event was managed by Tori Gellman, the teen librarian at the Brookline Public Library. She said the idea was a part of a broader initiative by the ALA.

“It’s an idea to champion authors of banned or challenged materials and remind them that amidst people who would like to remove their words or experiences from collections around the United States, that there are those who see and appreciate the value in them,” Gellman said.

According to Gellman, the importance of banned books extends beyond a single week and stays relevant throughout the year.

“It’s not like these books are only being displayed, or talked about or checked out during Banned Books Week,” Gellman said. “They’re often very popular titles. Using those books in promotional materials, reading lists and displays year-round helps to continue and further those conversations.”

Gellman said that she thinks hosting events, especially ones relating to Banned Books Week, allows for essential awareness. These programs also aim to raise awareness about the privileges and protections around banned books enjoyed by some communities.

“I really hope people see and appreciate the privilege that we have here in Massachusetts. I’m from the South myself, so I’ve seen other communities and lived in them where censorship is a true fight,” Gellman said. “Continuing to host these events brings light to other areas that don’t have the same sort of support and freedoms that we do. Using our voices to help them is what I would hope for people to continue after the week.”

Brookline’s approach to access

Shelley Mains, who has worked at the high school library for 15 years, said she has never dealt with a challenged book.

“Talking to colleagues throughout Massachusetts and nationally, I’ve realized how lucky we are here,” Mains said. “I went to a conference in Florida last year, and it reinforced that we’re really fortunate in Massachusetts, especially in Brookline, because we have a great book budget and an open-minded community about students’ freedom to learn through diverse content.”

High school librarian Molly Wallner attributed the school’s lack of challenges to an open, publicly available collection policy that guides how books are chosen and maintained. The policy outlines criteria such as educational value, age appropriateness and literary quality while ensuring a diversity of viewpoints.

“We haven’t had any banned or challenged books, and we’re always open to conversations about them,” Wallner said. “The policy helps curb potential bannings or challenges.”

Even though Brookline has avoided book challenges, Mains said that she felt moved by courageous students from Florida who organized strong oppositions against book bans. Witnessing those events, Brookline students were also inspired and decided to start their own banned book club to explore titles that have been restricted elsewhere.

Wallner said that spreading awareness continues to be important, even in communities with broader access.

“We shouldn’t take for granted our ability to access literature. There are places in the world where people don’t have that access or can’t even have the conversation [about banned books],” Wallner said. “By engaging in [conversation], we help break the taboo and inform people who can then advocate for access.”

Students and community responses

Wallner said that Brookline students often react differently from students in other regions when learning about banned books.

“When we do our banned books display, students sometimes joke, ‘If it’s banned, why is it on the shelf?’ That shows how privileged they are to have access,” Wallner said. “Some people aren’t even given the option to decide if a book is for them. In the news, I’ve seen students across the country fighting for their freedom to read, which is inspiring.”

Gellman said that the library’s outreach during Banned Books Week reached a wide age range.

“We definitely had some great conversations with younger kids about what Banned Books Week is, what it’s trying to address, what censorship is, why it’s bad,” Gellman said. “Then our adult services department did have a display and distributed some resources about reporting any sort of formal censorship attempts to the Office of Intellectual Freedom with the American Library Association.”

Mains said that giving students access to literature that has been banned elsewhere helps them understand the reasoning behind past censorship.

“Students can read books that have been limited for young people or entire communities at different points in history and in different parts of the country,” Mains said. “They can understand the controversies behind them and form their own opinions about whether these books should be accessible to different age groups or in libraries.”

Mains also said that censorship trends have shifted over time.

“In the U.S., books banned in the 1950s and earlier were mostly adult books. Recently, more books for young people and children have been banned,” Mains said. “That raises questions about adults trying to control what young people can access and what students think about.”

The importance of reading banned books

Mains said that looking at book bans can reveal broader social patterns.

“Looking at book bans is interesting in itself, but it can also be a lens for examining the fears and challenges of society in any given era,” Mains said. “There’s also value in looking at this in the U.S. and globally, because books get banned for different reasons in different countries. It’s a good way to develop cross-cultural understanding through books that many of us already know.”

In addition, Mains said that controversial books can deepen students’ critical thinking.

“As a librarian, I believe books are a way of learning diverse viewpoints. When I was in high school, I read books with opinions I didn’t agree with,” Mains said. “It didn’t make me think those opinions were right, but it helped me develop my own thinking and open my eyes to another perspective.”

Similarly, Wallner said students engaging with challenging material can empower understanding.

“Books are often banned because people are afraid of the conversation,” Wallner said. “At BHS, we believe in leaning into discomfort to expand our horizons, both literary and social. Access empowers students to better understand the world and themselves.”

Mains said that restricting access to contentious books can have the opposite of its intended effect, creating misconceptions rather than protecting against them.

“I have faith that reading books with controversial ideas won’t make students believe them. It’ll make us more informed, more able to talk to each other and better equipped to sustain a healthy democracy,” Mains said. “Removing a book just because you don’t agree with it only perpetuates misunderstanding.”

Wallner said that she hopes Banned Books Week and similar discussions will continue to draw students to the library.

“Trust yourself to explore the books you want to read,” Wallner said. “Advocate for everyone to have that same choice, rather than having it made for them.”