We Need Diverse Books Forms “Books Save Lives” Initiative to Fight Nationwide Book Bans

WNDB will provide $10,000 grants to libraries for diverse titles, on-the-ground educator resources, and author support via class visits and book purchases.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 28, 2022

Bethesda, Maryland — Alarmed by the book bans sweeping the country, affecting more than four million students and disproportionately targeting diverse books by diverse authors, We Need Diverse Books is spearheading the Books Save Lives initiative beginning Thursday, December 1. WNDB’s three-pronged approach will provide the necessary, informed support needed to fight these bans on multiple levels.

BOOKS SAVE LIVES GRANTS. Each grant will give up to $10K in funding to purchase banned and challenged titles for underserved schools and libraries.

EDUCATOR RESOURCES. Working with the grassroots organizations in battleground states, WNDB will produce educational materials for their on-the-ground efforts, arrange author visits, and support media specialists as they navigate the efforts of groups attempting to ban books. WNDB will produce a guide for educators to help them navigate conversations around banned books.

AUTHOR SUPPORT. Book bans affect the livelihood of authors, decreasing sales and school visits, vital income streams for creators. WNDB will support diverse authors affected by the bans by organizing school visits and book giveaways, thus celebrating their work and boosting sales.

To launch this initiative, WNDB is encouraging social media, financial, and in-person support via three opportunities:

#BooksSaveLives. Beginning December 1, WNDB will launch a social media campaign with the hashtag #BooksSaveLives. WNDB is encouraging everyone to post photos of themselves with the book that saved or impacted their life using the hashtag.

Champion Diverse Books Locally. WNDB encourages everyone to speak up at school board meetings, to request diverse books at the library, and to purchase and review books by diverse authors.

Contribute. A fundraiser will allow those interested to make a gift to WNDB as we launch Books Save Lives. Funds raised will help to provide support and resources to the teachers, librarians, and authors most affected by the book bans.

While supporting the educators and authors most affected by the bans, we will raise awareness, provide resources, and create positive change.

We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs twelve exciting initiatives united under one goal—to create a world where everyone can find themselves in the pages of a book. Established in 2014, WNDB strives to support and amplify diverse literature by mentoring marginalized creators, providing resources to diverse publishing professionals, and donating diverse books to schools and libraries nationwide. Learn more at diversebooks.org.