Celebrate Freedom to Read Day of Action at the Library

As mentioned during Banned Books Week (September 22-28), the ability to read freely is increasingly under attack. According to the Maryland State Library Agency, the number of formal book challenges to public libraries has increased by 133% between 2019 and 2023, where recent numbers from the American Library Association (ALA) show that so far in 2024, there are 414 attempts to censor books and other library holdings nationwide. 

Day of Action 

To keep the momentum going after Banned Books Week, libraries and their supporters are participating in the Freedom to Read Day of Action on Saturday, October 19. The freedom to read is a basic and fundamental right that all Marylanders enjoy: the freedom to access information, to learn about and explore ideas and perspectives that might be different from one's own and to think critically. It is through this access that people can explore what it means to be human and can gain both self-awareness and respect for others. Through the lenses of history and context, readers can gain knowledge about the world and their place in it.  

Get Involved 

This Freedom to Read Day of Action is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. We invite you to visit any of our 19 branches on Saturday, October 19, to pledge your support by signing a banner that will be featured in each branch that will be shared with local and state lawmakers. Our Essex and Perry Hall branches are hosting a Community Read-In on the same day from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Residents are encouraged to come together to read a book of their choosing, meet other readers and learn about the importance of literacy, libraries and information access. Each of us has a role to play in safeguarding intellectual freedom, whether by advocating for policies that protect the right to read, supporting our local libraries or simply reading books that challenge our own perspectives. 

A Diverse Collection 

At Baltimore County Public Library, we stand by our customers’ right to decide what content is appropriate for themselves and those in their care. This has been integral to our mission for more than 75 years and remains unchanged for present and future generations. Libraries have trained staff who carefully and thoughtfully curate collections for their diverse communities based on established professional standards. Our Collection Development Policy can be found under the policies tab in the About Us section of our website.

It’s okay if a book does not align with your views or opinions, but this does not mean it should be taken off the shelves for everyone. Libraries don’t tell people how to think. Instead, libraries provide access to a marketplace of ideas and information with diverse voices and perspectives so that people can think for themselves.

 Other Ways to Support  

When libraries and librarians are undermined because of the books carried on the shelves, everything else that libraries do to support their communities is imperiled. Here are a few ways that you can support your local library year-round.  

• Come visit! Every visit to the library is crucial to local and state funding to keep our libraries up to 21st century standards. 
• Donate to Foundation for Baltimore County Public Library. These additional funds allow us to bring critical resources to our community.