About We Are Stronger Than Censorship
Our Mission
At We Are Stronger Than Censorship, we believe in the power of stories to inspire, educate, and connect us all. Our mission is to combat the rising tide of book banning and censorship by empowering readers, supporting independent publishers, and ensuring that diverse voices are heard.
Why We Started
The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and EveryLibrary Institute have teamed up to spread light and inclusive books to readers in communities across the US impacted by efforts to restrict the availability of books featuring Black, Queer, and other under-represented characters and themes.
The chilling effect of book bans (where librarians and teachers have to worry about bringing in any diverse titles even when they know the books would help their students/patrons) has disproportionally impacted independent presses, many of whom are mission-driven and focus on publishing voices from the very communities who are targeted by the current political wave of book banning. The drop in sales to schools and libraries for many of these publishers has been significant, and this program aims to help those publishers, their authors, and most of all readers who will gain restored access to quality diverse books.
What We Do
The We Are Stronger Than Censorship program will buy 2,000 (or more) books to be donated through multiple regional partners, including the Florida Freedom to Read Project, Texas Freedom to Read Project, and Wisconsin Freedom to Read Project. Twenty titles whose sales have been impacted by the chilling effect will be selected from twenty participating independent publishers (one title from each publisher), and the program will purchase at least 100 copies of each title for donation.
How we’ll do it
- Funds raised from IBPA’s quarterly bookstore catalog (Fall 2024 – Summer 2025).
- Private donations.
- Help from publishing industry stakeholders and partners (i.e., Logo design from Lerner Publishing Group; Ebook design from Monkey C Media; PR from STRATEGIES PR; digital campaign and website from EveryLibrary; audiobook anthology compilation and additional production from Zoundy; support from PEN America; and more TBA.)
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Sales of program swag (t-shirts, etc.)
Our Impact
Since launching, We Are Stronger Than Censorship has brought together a community of readers, authors, publishers, and advocates who are committed to the freedom to read. By purchasing and donating banned books, we’re not only supporting independent publishers but also ensuring that these important stories continue to be accessible.
Meet the Team
We Are Stronger Than Censorship is the result of a powerful collaboration between passionate individuals and organizations who share a common goal: to protect and promote the freedom to read.
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Lee Wind is the Chief Content Officer of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and an author of frequently challenged books like the nonfiction for readers age 11 and up No Way, They Were Gay? Hidden Lives and Secret Loves (published by Lerner, an independent publisher.)
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Tasslyn Magnusson is a poet and right-to-read advocate, a Senior Independent Researcher with PEN America, and an EveryLibrary Institute Fellow.
About Our Partners
The success of We Are Stronger Than Censorship is made possible through the support of our partners. The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and EveryLibrary Institute play a crucial role in our mission, offering their expertise, resources, and networks to help us achieve our goals.
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IBPA's MISSION is to lead and serve the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and tools for success. IBPA acknowledges that the legacy of the book publishing industry is one of privilege, bias, and exclusion, which has significantly affected the books that are traditionally published. To realize its vision of a world where every independent publisher has the access, knowledge, and tools needed to engage in all aspects of an inclusive publishing industry professionally, IBPA commits to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within its leadership, policies, practices, publications, programs, and membership. The We Are Stronger Than Censorship program is a natural extension of IBPA’s work towards a publishing industry where everyone can find themselves in the content they read.
- EveryLibrary Institute is a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to supporting libraries and the freedom to read through research, training, and advocacy.
Join Us
We invite you to be part of our journey. Whether through donations, sharing our message, or purchasing and reading banned books, your involvement helps us create a world where every story can be told and heard.
- Book Donations: For every book banned or challenged, we aim to donate two more, ensuring that these vital stories continue to reach readers. Our goal is to donate at least 2,000 books by the end of September 2024.
- Banned Book Lists: We curate weekly shopping lists of recently banned and challenged books for children, teens, and adults, making it easy for you to support these titles and the authors who write them.
- Community Empowerment: Through our website, social media, and partnerships, we provide resources and tools for readers, educators, and advocates to stand up against censorship in their own communities.
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Partner for Action: We work alongside a diverse coalition of partners, including the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the EveryLibrary Institute, to amplify our impact and reach.