In an era where access to diverse voices and justice-oriented literature is increasingly challenged, ITAV is committed to providing students with a platform to explore themes of equity and justice through books. The Social Justice Libraries will be filled with carefully curated resources that promote critical thinking, inclusion, and advocacy for social justice. These libraries are a crucial step toward ensuring that students can read, reflect, and lead in creating a more just society.

• In 2023, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom’s (OIF) data documented book challenges throughout the United States, finding that challenges of unique titles surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022 numbers, reaching the highest level ever documented by the American Library Association.

• OIF documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship, as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources in 2023.