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Books unite us. Censorship divides us. Books contain the thoughts and experiences of people from a wide range of different backgrounds. They offer us windows into lives and lived experiences that are the same as or different from our own and allow us to gain new perspectives. Celebrate your freedom to read without censorship during Banned Books Week from Oct. 1 – 7.

Activities and resources

• Banned Books Week Bookmark Take and Make
  Make up to seven bookmarks featuring your favorite banned books with this take-home craft kit. Pick one up at your favorite PPLD location.
• Banned Books Scavenger Hunt for Tweens (passive activity)
  Celebrate your freedom to read by learning more about banned books. Match the titles of banned books to the reason why they were banned. All books can be found in the children's area. For ages 9 - 12. Find this passive program at Calhan, Cheyenne Mountain, East, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Rockrimmon, Ruth Holley, and Ute Pass libraries, as well as Library 21c and the Bookmobile. 
• Banned Topics Bookmark
  In honor of the Right to Read, during Banned Books Week you can pick up a location guide of where to find topics of the books being banned across our nation. Celebrate intellectual freedom by finding any book you want to read!
• Child and Young Adult Reading List
  Discover children’s books that have been on The Top 10 Most Challenged lists from the American Library Association.

Websites

• American Library Association
  Learn about censorship, including lists of the top 10 most challenged books by year, information on reporting censorship, and censorship numbers. You will also find fun activities like coloring sheets and graphics you can share. Check out their Freedom to Read Statement as well.
• Books Unbanned: Seattle Public Library
  In response to recent increases in book challenges and bans, the Seattle Public Library started Books Unbanned. This program grants access to their entire collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks for people ages 13 – 26 living anywhere in the U.S.

Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2022

The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted in 2021. They also reported that most targeted titles were written by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.

A note on terminology: A book challenge is when an individual or group recommends books for removal from public schools and/or public libraries and the materials are reviewed. A book ban occurs when materials selected for reconsideration are removed from public schools and/or public libraries and are not allowed to be included in those collections. A book challenge does not always lead to banning of materials.

Here are the top 10 most challenged books of 2022:

1. Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

2. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

3. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: depiction of sexual abuse, claimed to be sexually explicit, Equity Diversity & Inclusion content

4. Flamer by Mike Curato
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

5. (Tied for 5th) Looking for Alaska by John Green
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content

5.  (Tied for 5th) The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQIA+ content, depiction of sexual abuse, drugs, profanity

6. Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit

8. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity

9. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit

10. (Tied for 10th) A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit

10. (Tied for 10th) Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs

10. (Tied for 10th) Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity

10. (Tied for 10th) This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit

PPLD and Censorship

Pikes Peak Library District does not practice censorship. The materials we select to add to our collection are based on merit for the benefit they will add to our collection in serving our diverse community. Because we serve such a diverse community filled with different perspectives, beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences, we recognize that not all books in our collection are suited to every reader. Visit our Materials Reconsideration Policy page for more information.

2023 marks the 1st annual Night at the Library, the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Foundation's signature fundraiser. This first-year event celebrates the PPLD Foundation's 20th anniversary and more than $13 million dollars raised since 2003. 

Guests will enjoy special after-hours access to Library 21c and its first of its kind space that have been replicated by libraries worldwide. The memorable evening begins with a cocktail reception and scavenger hunt, followed by a multi-course seated dinner and program.                            
 

Purchase Tickets

Event Details

Beginning Tue., Sept. 19, library cardholders will be able to check out no-cost passes to Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain thanks to the Culture Pass program. Patrons can check out passes to explore this cultural attraction seven-days-a-week through April 30, 2024.

Take in breathtaking vistas from the top of the mountain you call home. Colorado is known for its fourteen-thousand-foot mountains (14’ers), which thousands of people endeavor to climb every year. Pikes Peak’s scenic highway offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to experience the beautiful terrain that Colorado’s 14’ers have to offer. Conditions on the Summit can be wildly different than at the base of the mountain, so be sure to plan ahead and check condition and safety information before your visit. 

The pass grants access to the Pikes Peak Highway, and depending on the weather, patrons may enjoy the Summit House and Visitors Center at the top or the many beautiful interpretive stops along the way. With the addition of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, the Culture Pass program offers PPLD patrons 12 cultural attractions throughout El Paso and Teller counties and Denver. For more information about Pikes Peak Culture Passes visit ppld.org/culturepass.

Note on visiting the Summit in September:

Your Pikes Peak Culture Pass will serve as your no-cost admission ticket (for up to two adult admissions and two children’s admissions) to drive on the Pikes Peak Highway. Access to the Summit by personal vehicle is currently on a reservation system through Sat., Sept. 30, which is not automatically reserved by your Pikes Peak Culture Pass. If you want to ensure that you will have a parking spot on the Summit during the month of September, you will need to make a reservation by clicking here.