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Police hunt for gunman after UnitedHealthcare CEO is killed in Midtown Manhattan; Record number of women to serve in state legislatures nationwide; Onions caused McDonald's E. coli outbreak, but beef production still a concern; Detroit suburb revitalized by federal funds.

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Trump reportedly is considering replacing Pete Hegseth as defense nominee, the French PM is ousted, South Korea rejects martial law, Montana blocks a trans bathroom ban, and women's representation in state legislatures hits new highs.

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Limited access to community resources negatively impacts rural Americans' health, a successful solar company is the result of a Georgia woman's determination to stay close to her ailing grandfather, and Connecticut looks for more ways to cut methane emissions.

NY, U.S. libraries celebrate Banned Books Week

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Monday, September 23, 2024   

Libraries in New York and nationwide are celebrating Banned Books Week.

Across the state, libraries are hosting various programs this week about literary censorship and standing up for the right to read. Some are adding events on the importance of diversity in literature since books by Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ authors have been subject to recent book bans.

Peter Bromberg, associate director of the nonprofit EveryLibrary, said growing restrictions on reading make Banned Books Week more important.

"There's an opportunity with Banned Books Week for readers to talk about the positive impacts that books have had on their lives," Bromberg explained. "Not just any books, but particularly like, challenging books. Like books that maybe make us uncomfortable are often the ones that ultimately have the impact."

He added the books might challenge certain assumptions or make us feel less alone. New York saw 26 book challenges attempting to restrict access to 79 titles last year. During the same period, national book challenges and bans grew 65% from 2022. More than 4,200 books in schools and libraries were targeted for bans, with "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe being the most targeted.

Book bans are unpopular, with voters across the political spectrum widely opposed to them. While bans keep growing, other ways of censoring libraries grow too. State lawmakers have introduced bills to criminalize libraries, and charge librarians with crimes for allowing kids to take out certain books.

Bromberg said the push to ban books is about swaying favor against well-regarded institutions.

"It's all about trying to reduce the level of trust, create doubt," Bromberg observed. "In some ways stoke people's fears for their children and stoke what might be some bigotry, etc. that people hold."

Bromberg pointed out libraries handle book challenges in their own ways but they are slowly losing influence due to the select interests of groups gaining seats on library and school boards. Bromberg argued constitutional rights in the First Amendment are vital to sustaining democracy.

"Having access to the stories of people who have different cultures, different beliefs, different perspectives, maybe different life experiences, and that builds an understanding and an empathy," Bromberg stressed. "That's the necessary grease on the wheels of a democracy in a pluralistic society."


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