The importance of diverse books

People benefit from access to books that act as "mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors," according to literacy expert Rudine Sims Bishop.

Books as mirrors: Facets of the reader's own culture, emotions, or physical characteristics are reflected at them, affirming their existence and place in society.

Books as windows: Offers views of the world where a reader may see people, places, and situations that are unfamiliar.

Books as sliding glass doors: Windows that not only offer a view of the unfamiliar, but that inspire and motivate the reader to act and change their world.

If readers from dominant social groups "see only reflections of themselves, they will grow up with an exaggerated sense of their own importance and value in the world — a dangerous ethnocentrism." - Rudine Sims Bishop

Why is this important?

During the 2023-2024 school year, there were 10,046 reported instances of book bans in public schools, according to PEN America. Of the most commonly banned books that school year, 44% included characters of color and 39% included LGBTQ+ characters.

Readers who cannot find themselves in the texts they read often feel they are devalued in their communities.

Much of what people, especially children, learn from the world comes from books. Books help readers learn compassion, understanding, and acceptance.

Be a conscious consumer. Understand the importance of diverse books.

Sources:

American Library Association News: "ALA reports record number of demands to censor library books and materials in 2022," bit.ly/3WyZ8UU

Education Week: "As book bans escalate, here's what you need to know," bit.ly/3WxK5uG

Scenic Regional Library: "Multicultural literacy: Mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors," bit.ly/45wIEk7

PEN America: pen.org/book-bans