After it was recently declared the first book sanctuary in Maryland, Anne Arundel County Public Library gives us new food for thought. The library follows in the footsteps of a tradition that began in Chicago two years ago—being now a part of a community of institutions committed to the collection and protection of otherwise banned books, according to a news release.
These institutions increase accessibility to these collections and go the extra mile to host book talks, educational events and activities that educate others about the history of book banning and burning.
A study by the American Library Association discovered that public libraries experienced a 92% increase in titles for censorship—with more than 4,200 unique titles challenged or banned, according to the release. Additionally, in 2023, 148 books were challenged in Maryland’s public and school libraries. This makes Maryland one of 17 states across the United States to exceed 100 book challenges.
In a significant attempt to combat this trend, Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) recently hosted a Banned Book Storytime for preschoolers, in which staff read Granddad’s Camper—a book about an intergenerational same-sex couple that has received immense opposition across the country.
