From the American Library Association
Speaking out for banned and challenged books is vital in the fight against censorship. This Banned Books Week (September 23-29), the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) is hosting a letter-writing campaign that celebrates stories that have made an impact.
Dear Banned Author encourages readers to write to banned or challenged authors, sharing how their stories made a difference. Libraries are invited to host letter-writing programs during Banned Books Week. The Dear Banned Author webpage includes promotional tools:
- Printable postcards
- A list of banned and challenged author addresses and Twitter handles
- Tips on hosting a letter-writing program
- Shareable images
Readers are also encouraged to share their letters on social media using the hashtag #DearBannedAuthor and #BannedBooksWeek.
Dear Banned Author not only raises awareness of books that are threatened with censorship, but also generates discussions about the essential access to a variety of library materials. Authors have also shared fan letters as support when there’s a public challenge to their books.