Why Every Book Ban Matters

You may have clicked on this because you already agree that book bans are a problem worth caring about. If so, I’m glad you’re here. If at any point this article feels like I’m preaching to the choir, feel free to scroll down to the “What You Can Do” section for concrete next steps.

If you celebrate book bans, I doubt I’ll change your mind. This isn’t really written for you.

But if you’re undecided, on the fence, or simply curious about what book bans mean and why they matter, this is a good place to start.

The terminology

According to the American Library Association:

A book challenge is “an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group.” It’s not just disliking a book — it’s actively trying to limit others’ access to it.

A book ban happens when those materials are actually removed from a curriculum or library, restricting access for the entire community.

One common rebuttal is: “But it’s not really banned! You can still buy it yourself.”

Here’s my rebuttal to that rebuttal: removing a book from a library deprives a community of free access, strips authors of a key avenue for reaching readers (and earning a living), and chips away at our collective rights to speech, expression, and the free exchange of ideas.

It hurts readers

Libraries are often the primary way people can access books. Have you seen the price tags at bookstores lately? Libraries are the great equalizer — no money required.

And yes, people absolutely still use libraries. As a librarian, I can confirm that parents and families make up a huge part of our visitors. In a country without universal Pre-K, public libraries fill critical gaps with children’s books, storytimes, and early literacy programs. Yet children’s titles are among the most frequently challenged and banned.

But it doesn’t stop there. Books for teens and adults — fiction and nonfiction alike — are also targeted. One of the most challenged books of recent years is Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which is a graphic novel-style memoir for adult readers.

Libraries give readers the freedom to:

• Discover new authors and unexpected favorites while browsing shelves.
• Educate themselves, explore new ideas, or even check out controversial books without spending money.
• Decide for themselves what to love, question, or even dislike.

When a book is banned, that freedom is taken away. Someone else is making the judgment call about what you, or your child, are “allowed” to read. That should offend anyone who values personal choice.

It hurts writers

Libraries — whether school, public, or academic — are a cornerstone customer of the publishing industry. And publishing is, at its core, a for-profit business. I can already see the potential domino effect…

• If libraries are pressured or forbidden from buying certain books, publishers sell fewer copies.
• Publishers then acquire fewer books like them.
• Authors — current and future — lose opportunities, income, and readership.

Not all authors are impacted equally, either. A lot of book bans target books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes (which are very often written by LGBTQ+ authors). Recent anti-DEI sentiments have targeted authors of color and books about their experiences.

Unchecked, book bans don’t just silence individual titles. They distort the entire literary landscape.

It hurts our rights

Freedom of speech. Freedom of expression. Freedom to exchange ideas and decide for ourselves what media we consume.

Book bans threaten all of these. And it’s not just about what stories people read for fun — educational materials and historical texts are being targeted too.

So when I say it hurts “our” rights… let’s emphasis that “you” are part of “our.” These are your rights and freedoms under attack. It can feel distant — just one book, in one school, in one state you don’t live in. And yes, there are plenty of other crises competing for attention. But every time a book is successfully banned, the ground shifts a little. If it matters there, it matters everywhere.

What you can do

Pay attention. Most challenges and bans happen locally — at the level of school districts, town councils, counties, or sometimes statewide. Amid national and global headlines, these stories can be easy to miss. But depending on how it plays out, you may have opportunities to speak at a meeting, contact elected officials, or raise awareness in your community.

Look past the hyperbole. Many challenges come wrapped in sensational accusations — phrases like “sexually explicit children’s books.” In reality, the book in question might simply be about puberty, or feature a kid with an age-appropriate same-sex crush. And remember, “children’s books” covers a wide range — from toddlers to middle schoolers, very different stages of life. The language of book banners is designed to scare and shame you into silence. Don’t let it.

Support your local libraries — even if they’re not currently facing book bans. If you’re not already a library user, consider visiting, getting a card, borrowing materials, or attending events. Libraries rely on usage data to defend their funding, collections, and programs. Want to do more? Ask staff how you can help — through donations, testimonials, surveys, joining friends groups, or speaking at budget meetings. Check Out: Show Up For Our Libraries.

Support banned books and their authors. Leave positive reviews of those you’ve read, check them out from your library (again, that usage data matters), or purchase copies of those you’re interested in. Focus especially on living authors, whose livelihoods are directly affected by these challenges. You can even write letters of thanks and encouragement through Dear Banned Author.

Get organized. You don’t have to start from scratch. Many organizations are already working to fight censorship and book bans. Here are some of them:

• The American Library Association: https://www.ala.org/bbooks
• Unite Against Banned Books: https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/
• National Coalition Against Censorship: https://ncac.org/
• The Author’s Guild: https://authorsguild.org/resource/stop-book-bans-toolkit

This article was originally published on Medium by me.

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