Every Story Matters: Banned Books Week in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas -- The Young Woman's Christian Association El Paso Del Norte Region is celebrating that Every Story Matters during Banned Books Week by accepting donations for banned books sections in public libraries and encouraging diversity in literature in El Paso.

El Paso City Council unanimously passed a resolution to create banned books sections on February 1, and YWCA and the City first launched the sections on May 14.

The theme of the sections is Every Story Matters.

According to YWCA, banned and challenged books are often ones that include topics involving marginalized groups.

YWCA said Texas is leading the country with the most banned books. The Texas Tribune reported that 801 books have been banned across 22 school districts in the state, and 174 titles were banned at least twice between July 2021 and June 2022.

YCWA's goal is to have 150 donated books during this year's banned book week. The books will be placed in a banned books section of an El Paso public library. Monetary donations will go to equipment ad shelving needed for the sections.

Those interested can learn more here or visit a local public library.