Ellis created this weaving series in response to the concerning rise in organized censorship, orchestrated by a vocal minority, that has escalated dramatically since 2021. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) notes that “In 2023, OIF recorded demands to censor 4,240 unique book titles in libraries, the highest number of books challenged since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries. This reflects a 65% increase over the 2,571 unique titles targeted in 2022, the previous high.[1]”

PEN America writes, “organizations and groups involved in pushing for book bans have sprung up rapidly at the local and national levels, particularly since 2021. These range from local Facebook groups to the nonprofit organization Moms for Liberty, a national organization that now has over 200 chapters” and “in the short period since their formation and expansion, these groups have played a role in at least half of the book bans enacted across the country during the 2021–22 school year. PEN America estimates that at least 20 percent of the book bans enacted in that time frame could be linked directly to the actions of these groups, with many more likely influenced by them. [2]” 

Requests to ban books from library collections are just the tip of the proverbial censorship iceberg. There are deeper issues under the surface that threaten our 1st Amendment rights. Threats by these organizations seek to enact censorship legislation at the state and national levels, defund libraries who do not comply with requests to censor, and intimidate librarians and authors alike with criminal complaints.

The weavings here were made in response to these attempts at censorship and book bans. The weavings consist of the 13 books from the ALA’s Top 10 Banned Books of 2022 and have expanded to include the additional books from the 2023 list. We need to stand in solidarity with libraries, librarians, authors, law makers, readers, and freedom lovers. As PEN America says, “The message is clear: books aren’t harmful—censorship is.”

For additional resources to join the fight, check out the following organizations:

• PEN America

• American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA)

• United Against Book Bans

• Authors Against Book Bans

• Diverse Books for All Coalition

• National Coalition Against Censorship

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

• First Amendment Center

• Freedom to Read Foundation

[1] https://live-alaorg.pantheonsite.io/sites/default/files/2024-04/state-of-americas-libraries-report-2024-accessible-web-version_0.pdf

[2] https://pen.org/report/banned-usa-growing-movement-to-censor-books-in-schools/

American Library Association’s 10 Most Banned Books of 2023

(Support the authors and your local bookshop. Images below are linked to Bookshop.org)

#9: Out of Darkness. ALA’s 13 Most Banned Books of 2022. 20 x 20, 2024