The 2nd Annual Upscale Pub Crawl on October 11 was an outstanding success! Over 500 tickets were purchased for the event, recognizing 2023 Banned Books Week. Ticket holders visited 19 downtown locations to enjoy a special drink or snack, view posters of books that have been banned or challenged, and hear more about book banning from Library Foundation representatives at each location. The theme of 2023 Banned Books week was Let Freedom Read, and attendees learned more about book censoring while supporting local Redwood City businesses and helping RCLF fund important library initiatives.

The number of reported book challenges nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022. More than 1,600 books were banned from school libraries last year in 138 school districts in 32 states, most often featuring characters of color or LGBTQ+ themes. Libraries in schools and communities are becoming battlegrounds for censorship. Currently more than 90 pending bills attempt to restrict what young people can be taught regarding race, history, politics, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Banned Books Week is an annual event supporting the freedom to seek and express ideas, which is why the Library Foundation recognizes and supports it.

Thank you to all who attended our Pub Crawl. Attending events like this and learning about these issues
is one way to stay informed and involved. When the whole community shows up and speaks out, libraries can be protected!