The American Library Association released new data in March noting that book challenges nationwide not only nearly doubled in 2022 over 2021, but they are the highest they’ve been since the ALA began compiling data more than 20 years ago (https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2023/03/record-book-bans-2022).

“Every year for more than 20 years, Peoria Public Library has chosen one book for our community to unite around and read together. This year, we felt it critical to unite around one of our greatest freedoms—our freedom to read—and that this be celebrated not just in our city, but across Central Illinois,” said Alyce Jackson, chair of Peoria Public Library’s Peoria Reads Committee and manager of programming at Peoria Public Library. “So, instead of Peoria Reads, this year we are Central Illinois Reads.”

Chillicothe Public Library has joined Peoria Public Library in this project, along with Dunlap Public Library District, Fondulac District Library, Illinois Prairie District Public Library, Morton Public Library, and Pekin Public Library, and longtime Peoria Reads partners, Bradley University, Methodist College, and Neighborhood House.

“To deny anyone the freedom to read, to dictate that someone else should not have access to a book based on your opinion, is to deny them the choice to experience the ideas of others and the opportunity to develop opinions, knowledge, and ideas of their own,” said Fondulac District Library Director Genna Buhr. “Someone can vehemently disagree with a book and still support the freedom to read and access it, as that freedom and opportunity was afforded to them.”

From April through October, culminating in Banned Books Week (Oct. 1–7), Central Illinois Reads will host a number of events to empower everyone to stand against censorship. Hear from nationally known authors whose books have been banned and from librarians who are pushing back against intolerance, exclusion, and censorship. Among other events, Chillicothe Public Library will co-host a panel discussion on July 19 at 6:00 pm at Peoria Public Library’s North Branch, featuring librarians who have dealt with book challenges on the job.

More information about Central Illinois Reads and upcoming events can be found at peoriapubliclibrary.org/central-illinois-reads.