This year, October 1-7 is the week challenges to the freedom to read whatever books you wish are acknowledged and highlighted. Every time a library, school, or media center receives a formal request to remove a book from its collection, this is referred to as a challenge. This last year, challenges climbed to the thousands for the first time. The ALA tracked 1,629 challenges to library, school, and university materials including 2,571 unique titles.

The Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) of the ALA compiles a list of the ten most challenged books from the last year to inform the public. But due to ties and the spike in challenges to literary freedom, this year there are thirteen books included in the most challenged books list.

The most challenged books this year are “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison, “Flamer” by Mike Curato, “Looking for Alaska” by John Green, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky, “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie, “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Perez, “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas, “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews, and “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson,

The New Ulm Public Library has put up a reading stand featuring some of the most challenged books from this year and years past. Among them are “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” and “The Bluest Eye” from this year as well as “Beyond Magenta” by Susan Kulkin and “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas from last year.

Sue Otto (left) and Ann Anderson (right) stand with the Banned Books display they created at the New Ulm Public Library. Otto and Anderson put together the display for Banned Books week, featuring books often challenged both this year and in previous years. Anderson is wearing her “I’m with the Banned” shirt in support of challenged books.

Library Director April Ide said they do not have all of the books on the list. However, they can request books from anywhere in Minnesota with systems already in place.

“We have access to the Traverse Des Sioux regional library,” Ide said. “We share materials as part of [this system]. We can request items be sent here for patrons to pick up or they can visit any of the other regional libraries with our card and check out materials there. If something weren’t available in this region, we also have access to all the other Minnesota libraries. We rarely have a request somewhere in Minnesota doesn’t have.”

The system the New Ulm library uses when books are challenged requires patron fill out a request for reconsideration form identifying the book. The Library Director will give a formal response to the request. Any appeal of the director’s decision would go to the library board.

Ide said the goal for the public library, with limited shelf space and budget, is to provide a collection New Ulm can best use to their advantage.

The Martin Luther College library’s goal is to provide materials for the school’s curriculum. Director of Library Services Linda Kramer said this includes books on theology, history, english, and children’s literature. The MLC library does have controversial books, and materials covering both sides of several issues. Even if it disagrees with the college’s theology, Kramer does not see the value in banning books.

“We can always find something I object to, but you might not,” she said. “We might find value in reading or learning about something even if it’s not something we agree with. [I enjoy] having a wide range of ideas and opinions available to us make the decisions based on [what we read]. Read it or don’t read it, make those choices on your own or with your family.”

MLC also has a section on banned books during this week, and it seeks to educate students on why each book has been challenged. Selections include “Drama” by Raina Telgemeier, “Maus” by Art Spiegelman, and “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson. Each book has a slip inside explaining why each book has been challenged in the past and present.

On the issue of book bans rising, both Ide and Kramer agreed the current culture and polarized political climate have had a huge impact. Ide said people hold their political and religious viewpoints closely, and when they see materials in conflict with their beliefs they want them removed. Kramer said book banning has become a platform used by those who want their voice heard on issues while attempting to restrict materials they deem inappropriate.

Every year, the ALA chooses a theme to represent what Banned Books Week stands for. The theme for Banned Books Week 2023 is “Let Freedom Read.”

“When we ban books, we’re closing off readers to people, places, and perspectives,” the American Library Association said. “But when we stand up for stories, we unleash the power that lies inside every book. We liberate the array of voices that need to be heard and the scenes that need to be seen. Let freedom read!”

The New Ulm Public Library is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Saturday. The MLC Library is open from 7:15 a.m. to 12 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 12-5 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday. Materials can be checked out from the MLC Library with a standard library card and can be dropped off at the public library.

For more information on Banned Book Week, visit https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks