NORFOLK, Va. — With book restrictions on the rise in Virginia, a bookmobile that fights book bans is making a stop at a public library in Norfolk on its multi-state tour that is encouraging the freedom of reading by giving out free books.
The New Republic's Banned Books Tour is visiting states with the most book censorship, which includes Texas, Florida and Virginia.
Book lovers will have a chance to visit the bookmobile at the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library on Oct. 14.
Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the bookmobile will be handing out free children's books and literature about combating book banning. Organizers said banned books for youth and adults will need to be requested.
The tour announcement comes just one week after Banned Books Week which happens every October.
This past year saw the largest number of challenges to library books recorded in recent times, according to the American Library Association.
In September, 13News Now reported there were more than a dozen attempts to remove or restrict books available at libraries across Virginia. More than 350 book titles were targeted in the attempted bans, accounting for nearly twice the number of books reported in 2022.
The increase in numbers is part of a national trend, but a spokesperson for Virginia's American Civil Liberties Union claimed the path is made easier due to a new Virginia law passed in 2022.