Skip to Main Content
 

Virtual Book Display

Explore virtual collections of books and ebooks by monthly themes curated by University of Memphis librarians.

A word to the unwise.
Torch every book.
Char every page.
Burn every word to ash.
Ideas are incombustible.
And therein lies your real fear.
― Ellen Hopkins

magenta and blue image with stylized stack of books. Text reads ALA reports highest number of challenged book titles ever documented in 2023.

red and blue image of stylized books. Text reads Number of unique titles challenged 2021-2023: 1858 (2021), 2571 (2022), 4240 (2023)

blue and red image with stylized books. Text reads: 1247 attempts to ban or restrict library materials and services in 2023.

red and blue image of stylized bookshelf. Text reads: In 2023, the number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, while school libraries saw an 11% increase.

Red and blue image of stylized books. Text reads: Groups and individuals demanding the censorship of multiple titles, often dozens or hundreds at a time, drove the 2023 surge.

Red and blue image with stylized books. Text reads: 47% of titles targeted for censorship in 2023 represent the voices and lived experiences of LGTBQIA+ and BIPOC individuals.

Red and blue image of the continental United States. Text reads: More than 100 titles were challenged in 17 different states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.

Red and blue stylized image of a pile of discarded books. Text says "Every challenge to a library book is an attack on our freedom to read. The books being targeted again focus on LGTBQ+ and people of color. Our communities and our country are stronger because of diversity. Libraries that reflect their communities' diversity promote learning and empathy that some people want to hide or eliminate." Emily Drabinski, ALA President

red and blue stylized paint strokes image. Text reads: Join us in the fight against censorship. Unite Against Book Bans. UniteAgainstBookBans.org