For the fifth year in a row, 51ΑΤΖζ’s leadership is recognized in a supporting the freedom to read books without censorship as well as supporting the freedom of expression of writers.
Introduced by Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, the resolution coincides with , taking place this year October 4β10. The annual event is organized by the Banned Books Week Coalition, of which 51ΑΤΖζ has been a part for 15 years.
This yearβs resolution, which garnered a record number of original cosponsors in the US House of Representatives and Senate, again notes that βthe majority of book bans were enacted without following the best practice guidelines for book challenges outlined by the American Library Association, the 51ΑΤΖζ Coalition Against Censorship, and the 51ΑΤΖζ Council of Teachers of English.” Representative Raskin also recognized 51ΑΤΖζ in a for its endorsement of the resolution.
β51ΑΤΖζ appreciates that more lawmakers than ever have stepped forward to declare their support for our efforts to counter book bans,” 51ΑΤΖζ Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick said. “We will continue to stand up to protect studentsβ and teachersβ ability to access and learn from books that make for richer classroom experiences and a lifetime of accessing written and creative works.”
Regarding education specifically, the resolution calls on local governments and school districts to follow recommended practices of literacy and intellectual freedom leaders when addressing challenges to individual books, and to βprotect the rights of students to learn and the ability of educators and librarians to teach, including by providing students with the opportunity to read a wide array of books reflecting the full breadth and diversity of viewpoints and perspectives.β The resolution further calls for repealing federal actions that have restricted freedoms to read and learn in public schools based on content.