Book Group/Holiday Celebration

Join the LWVN Book Group

December 3, 1:30-3:30 pm, Waban Library Center

The League of Women Voters of Newton invites all community members to join us on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 1:30-3:30pm, at the Waban Library Center (1608 Beacon Street, Newton), for an intimate gathering and book group discussion on one of the most banned books of the last two years, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.

Whether you’ve read the book or not, come engage in a lively discussion of the book (and other books on banned books list, if you are inclined to read others), why it has caused so many schools and libraries to remove it from the shelves, whether LWVN or any League should take a position on book banning, and more.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org are appreciated!

Following the discussion, we invite all to celebrate with us the holiday season and join in some holiday cheer.   We note that the Waban Area’s Council’s annual tree lighting ceremony in Waban Square, right outside the Waban Library Center, occurs  at 4:00pm and all are welcome to attend.

For more information on Banned Books, read below.

According to the American Library Association (ALA), Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. The unparalleled number of reported book challenges in 2022 nearly doubles the 729 book challenges reported in 2021.

PEN America counted school book bans in the 2022-2023 school year, and found 3,362 book bans affecting 1,557 unique titles, with more than 40% of the bans occurring in Florida.

Additional Resources:

• American Library Association’s Top Challenged Books of 2022

“[Book bans] diminish the quality of education students have access to and restrict their exposure to important perspectives that form the fabric of a culturally pluralist society like the United States,” explains TC’s Sonya Douglass, Professor of Education Leadership. “It’s a battle over the soul of the country in many ways; it’s about what we teach young people about our country, what we determine to be the truth, and what we believe should be included in the curriculum they’re receiving. There’s a lot at stake there.”

• PEN America – The 11 Most Banned Books of 2022-2023
• NY Times – Sept 21, 2023 – Book Bans Are Rising Sharply in Public Libraries
• Teachers College Columbia University – What You Need to Know About the Book Bans Sweeping the U.S.

“Why Is Banning Books Legal? While legal battles over book censorship in schools consistently unfold at local levels, the wave of book bans across the U.S. surfaces a critical question: why hasn’t the United States had more definitive legal closure on this issue? In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a noncommittal ruling that continues to keep school and library books in the political crosshairs more than 40 years later. In Island Trees Union Free School District v. Pico (1982), the Court deemed that “local school boards have broad discretion in the management of school affairs” and that discretion “must be exercised in a manner that comports with the transcendent imperatives of the First Amendment.”

But what does this mean in practice? In these kinds of cases, the application of the First Amendment hinges on the existence of evidence that books are banned for political reasons and violate freedom of expression. However, without more explicit guidance, school boards often make decisions that prioritize “community values” first and access to information second.”

• LWV Florida Education Action Team White Paper on Understanding Florida’s Book Challenges in Schools and Their Consequences for Students

The League of Women Voters of Florida encourages advocacy to fight book bans and suggests action steps, among which include the following:
– Find out what your rights are and decide how much risk you are willing to take as an advocate against book censorship.
– Learn about the history of book censorship and why it occurs.
– Become familiar with books being banned today and what the objections to them are.
– Identify features of these books that will benefit students.
– Follow legislation to identify any bills, pro or con, addressing book bans, and communicate with sponsors of these bills to share your concerns.
– Join a banned book club and learn about groups organized to advocate against school bans on books.
– Educate others and build support.
– Identify League members and others who share your concerns and begin planning collaborative advocacy initiatives.

• Others Leagues that have expressed an interest, or taken a position, on banned books:
  Louisiana
  Maine
  South Carolina
• While LWVUS has not taken a position on banned books, it has articulated its support for the teaching of a “culturally inclusive history curriculum that includes instruction in Black, brown, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Feminist, and Queer American history” (https://www.lwv.org/league-management/advocacy/talking-points-culturally-inclusive-history-curriculum).
• On June 13, 2023, LWVN held a virtual topic meeting at which Ruth Bourquin, Senior & Managing Attorney for the ACLU Massachusetts, reviewed anti-LGBTQIA+ activities happening today both in Massachusetts and across the country, and offered talking points, action tips, and other ways to push back against this growing tide.  The presentation included a discussion of book bans, including attempts in numerous MA school districts by a vocal minority to remove books with LGBTQ+ themes from school libraries, and how to respond to those efforts.  View the presentation slide.