Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer today outlined her policy for the County of San Diego to protect the rights of residents to read books that have been “challenged and banned” in other states, and ensure they are accessible at all 33 County of San Diego libraries, from Solana Beach and Encinitas to El Cajon, Alpine and Bonita. 

“We are standing up for democracy and working to keep literature from being censored in San Diego County,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “A significant portion of the bans happening across our country are targeting books representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people. With this policy, we’re protecting your right to read and fighting back against racism and bigotry.”

Book bans are rising in the United States, 17 states have banned or challenged 100 different books. The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom reported that in 2023 alone, 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for censorship nationwide. ALA reported a dramatic 65% increase in challenges of unique book titles in 2023 compared to 2022. ALA says 47% of the targeted books involve LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. And last year, the City of San Diego library in Rancho Peñasquitos was targeted by protestors trying to censor LGTBQ+ books.

Examples of “banned and challenged” books Include: The Handmaid’s Tale, Goosebumps, And Tango Makes Three, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Brave New World. Hitting closer to home, Mexican White Boy by San Diego-based author Matthew de la Peña was banned in Tucson, Arizona and La Jolla-based author Theodor Seuss Geisel, known across the globe as Dr. Seuss was on the list of 14 titles banned by a Katy Texas School District. 

During today’s press conference, a table of books that have been “challenged and banned” in other parts of the United States was displayed, and the Supervisor was joined by County of San Diego librarians.

“Libraries have always been a space for community learning and dialogue,” said Leslie Ann Masland, an Adult Services Librarian with the County of San Diego. “Equal access to information and books that raise critical issues that often times uplift the voices of those who are often left out deserves to be protected as a constitutional right for all residents in San Diego County. As other entities look to ban books and limit free speech, I am proud to stand as a librarian that celebrates these freedoms for our vibrant and diverse San Diego communities.”

On Tuesday, August 27 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will vote on Supervisor Lawson-Remer’s policy. The recommendations include the following:   

• Direct Chief Administrative Officer to support for California Assembly Bill (AB) 1825. 

  1. AB 1825 aims to require each public library in the state that gets state funding (excluding school libraries) to create and make available a written policy for developing its book collection. It also prevents library boards from banning or restricting the circulation of any materials based on their topics or the views, ideas, or opinions expressed in them.  

• Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to recognize Banned Book Week at all San Diego County Libraries on the week of Sep 22-28, 2024, and enshrine a permanent Banned Book Week at the County of San Diego which would annually recognize, and celebrate Banned Book Week with a dedicated display aligning with other national banned book week efforts. 

• Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to acquire and make available hard and/or digital copies of banned books to ensure access at each County Library location. 

• Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to explore additional funding opportunities and a public education campaign to increase awareness around banned and culturally inclusive books and library literature. 

• Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to annually light up the County Administration Center blue, red and orange on the Monday of Banned Books Week.