Amid Book Bannings, Florida Libraries Fight Back

While book bans are becoming more common and as the political temperature rises, some libraries in Florida are fighting back.

When the Sterling Road Library held its 21st Birthday Celebration this week, its Friends decided this was the perfect time to continue their fight against book banning. Alongside the raffle tickets, the free Scholastic book, and snacks, a table manned with volunteers had a different stack of books on them: all books that have been “banned” or “challenged.” These books were given away to patrons who want them as part of the fight back against book banning.

The Stirling Road Library, together with all other Broward County Library branches, has created a “Book Sanctuary.” Book Sanctuaries are designated areas where endangered stories will be protected and made accessible for exploration or checkout.

“A vital part of my mission is to ensure that the freedom to read is not compromised,” Library Director Allison Grubbs wrote in a statement. “The right to think, speak and learn freely are foundational values in our democracy and in our libraries.”

This means that not only are pins and signs shown throughout the library, but books that are the subject of bans and challenges were made available by private donors to be freely handed out to patrons of the library- all in…