• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

HOLIDAY: All Library Locations Closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. More Info

Alert

ALERT: Maintentance Continues at Courthouse Library May 19 More Info

Alert

ALERT: Maintenance and Upgrades at Central Library More Info

Home - Arlington County Virginia - Logo
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • My Checkouts
    • My Holds
    • My Lists
    • My Reading History
    • About Borrowing
    • About Holds
    • About My Account
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
    • Library News
    • Director's Blog
    • Get Email Updates
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Search
  • Collections
  • Services
  • Events
  • Explore
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • About Borrowing
    • About Holds
    • About My Account
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
    • Library Blog
    • Get Email Updates
  • Contact Us

Director’s Message: Read What You Want. Whenever. However.

Post Published: October 6, 2023

On Sept. 26, Arlington County took a stand for the banned! The County Board issued a Resolution in support of libraries and declared our libraries to be “book sanctuaries.” This comes as we recognize Banned Books Week (Oct. 1-7) and celebrate the freedom to read.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ArlingtonVALib (@arlingtonvalib)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ArlingtonVALib (@arlingtonvalib)

Earlier this week, I was interviewed by Jenn White, host of NPR’s 1A, on the topic of banned books. It was both a thrilling and humbling experience to be in conversation with a 16-year-old student who organizes a banned books club for teens and author Carl Hiaasen.

However, the majority of daily news stories regarding books and accessibility are not encouraging.  

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2023, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles, a 20% increase from the same reporting period in 2022. And 2022 saw the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago. Not a record to be proud of.

695-attempts%20insta1.png
states-more-than-100%20insta2.png

Perhaps not surprisingly, banned and challenged books are often stories about people of color, the LGBTQIA+ community or other marginalized groups.

Everyone has a story. Stories foster empathy and connect us to others. And they can provide lifesaving insights and context for anyone questioning: “Who am I? How do I relate to the world around me?”

In September for National Library Card Sign-up Month, Arlington Public Library welcomed more than 3,750 new patrons and renewed library cardholders.

This week, Arlington Public Library joins libraries (3,000 and counting) across North America committed to collecting and protecting endangered books, making those books broadly accessible, hosting talks and events and educating others on the history of book banning and burning.

Arlington Reads with "Maus" author Art Spiegelman. Photo by Daniel Rosenbaum.
Arlington Reads with "Maus" author Art Spiegelman. Photo by Daniel Rosenbaum.

So, what can you do?

  • Become informed on the topic by consulting resources such as PEN America’s overview of rising school book bans and ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. 
  • Commit to reading at least one challenged book. If you have a child or partner at home, ask them to commit to reading one, too. The family that reads together, thrives together.  
  • Stream the video recording of the recent Arlington Reads author event with Art Spiegelman (available until Oct. 21) on Arlington County’s YouTube channel. 
  • Share the Library’s Banned Books Week and Book Sanctuary reels on Instagram. 
  • Read one of the books that have been recently banned or challenged in Virginia.

Please stand with me and the Arlington Public Library staff in support of the freedom to read what you want—whenever, however.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

October 6, 2023 by Shaun Howard

Primary Sidebar


DK high school photo

Arlington County Native and Library Director Diane Kresh


Link to blog post.

Director’s Message: The Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden


May 12, 2025


Link to blog post.

Director’s Message: To Daffodils!*


April 3, 2025


Composite of eight book covers.

Director’s Message: Celebration of All Women


March 6, 2025


Read more from the Director’s blog

Footer

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Charlie Clark Center for Local History
  • News Room
  • Get Email Updates

Administration

  • Policies
  • Library Staff
  • Job Opportunities
  • Propose a Program or Partnership

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.
























Download the Library App

Download the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility | Site Map
· Copyright © 2025 Arlington County Government ·